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The universal language of mixes, mashups and melodies

October 17, 2019
by Jourdain Patrick '20

The first time I performed as a DJ on campus was nerve-wracking, but exciting. 

For as long as I can remember, music has been a major part of my life. There鈥檚 something about the goosebumps and chills that come with a good song that can carry you through so many ups and downs. 

But, in that moment, as I took the stage at Falstaff鈥檚, my brain was racing with questions.

鈥淲ill they like my mix?鈥 鈥淐an I pull this off?鈥 鈥淗ow can I get all of these people with different backgrounds to vibe together and have a good time?鈥 

There was only one way to find out: I hit play. 

To my relief and surprise, everyone was feeling it. But that wasn鈥檛 the best part. What truly took my breath away was the people. Friends and strangers, people from New York, New England and even South Africa were all having a great time together. 

View out into the crowd of a dance party

My view of all kinds of Skidmore students dancing together during one of my sets. Photo by Michael Gesse '22.

In that moment I realized something: Music is a universal language.

It鈥檚 versatile and can adapt to any situation. And whether it鈥檚 a favorite song to get pumped for the gym, a background score to study to, or a celebratory track for a completed assignment, everyone has a unique playlist. 

To this day, my favorite part about DJing is pulling tracks from others鈥 playlists.

Like our own identities, sometimes we need to mix, mash or even clash to create synergy across a variety of genres 鈥 and people. 

Jourdain Patrick

My Life as a DJ at Skidmore has been an experience in bringing some of the most unlikely groups of people together and finding a way to create synergy across a variety of genres. When done well, it creates and facilitates a state of euphoria that everyone can take part in. 

If you take anything away from this musical analogy, I hope it鈥檚 this:

Everyone鈥檚 college journey will be to the tune of a different playlist and, when they all come together, the best memories are made. 

What's on your playlist? 

It wouldn't be a story about playlists without some music. Here's a window into my Life at Skidmore through one of my recent mixes. 


禁漫天堂 the Author

Jourdain Patrick

Jourdain Patrick is an English major with a media and film studies minor from the Bronx, New York. Passionate about connecting with others, he hopes to unite the world through music and technology. When he鈥檚 not in class, you can find him DJing at various events on campus as DJ Spades or assisting students at the IT Help Desk in the library.