70 DJ Trivia Questions for the Ultimate Music Fan

Are you ready to drop the beat and test your knowledge about the world of DJs? From radio legends to modern electronic music maestros, DJs have been at the forefront of musical innovation and entertainment.

This collection of 70 DJ trivia questions dives deep into the world of disc jockeys, covering everything from DJ techniques and famous personalities to the history and evolution of the craft. Whether you’re a music lover, a club-goer, or a DJ yourself, these questions will challenge your knowledge and perhaps even teach you something new about the art of spinning tracks.

DJ Trivia Questions

In 1970, deejay Barrett Hansen began playing whimsical novelty records at KPPC in Los Angeles. Hansen is better known by the nickname _______?
Answer: Dr. Demento

This Armed Forces Radio deejay was popular among soldiers in Southeast Asia and was the subject of the Barry Levinson film, ‘Good Morning Vietnam’.
Answer: Adrian Cronauer

He was known as the ‘Fifth Beatle’ and reigned through the 1960s and 70s as one of the most popular DJs in New York.
Answer: Murray ‘The K’ Kaufman

A former disc jockey turned actor, he made his mark as a vainglorious news anchor at a Minneapolis TV station.
Answer: Ted Knight

Which U.S. disc jockey was the first mainstream radio presenter to play rock ’n’ roll on his shows in the early Fifties?
Answer: Alan Freed

_________ worked as a disc jockey in 1957 to raise money for the March of Dimes.
Answer: Eleanor Roosevelt

Robert Weston Smith epitomized the 1950s disc jockey, particularly with a cameo appearance in the film ‘American Graffiti’. Who is he?
Answer: Wolfman Jack

Beaumont, TX disc jockey J. P. Richardson wrote ‘Running Bear’ for his friend Johnny Preston and performed his own song, ‘Chantilly Lace’ into the music charts.
Answer: The Big Bopper

In what year did English DJ, Jimmy Savile, host the first live DJ dance party in history?
Answer: 1943

What famous DJ produced the hit singles “Hey Brother,” “Wake Me Up,” and “Levels”?
Answer: Avicii

Which DJ’s dad is the owner of Benihana?
Answer: Rocky Aoki

Who is the only DJ that has played at the Olympic games?
Answer: Tiësto

What is Skrillex’s real name?
Answer: Sonny John Moore

Who was the first DJ that used slip-cueing?
Answer: Francis Grasso

Who is known as the world’s youngest club DJ at the age of 4 years and 130 days?
Answer: Archie Norbury

Which DJ is best known for their songs “Animals,” “In the Name of Love,” and “Scared to be Lonely”?
Answer: Martin Garrix

Christopher Comstock is the birth name of what popular American DJ?
Answer: Marshmello

What Scottish DJ is known for his hit singles “We Found Love,” “Summer,” and “Feel So Close”?
Answer: Calvin Harris

French DJ who released the hit albums Nothing but the Beat, One Love, and 7?
Answer: David Guetta

Who is the American DJ who co-created and led the electronic dancehall music project Major Lazer?
Answer: Diplo

This term describes a technique used by DJs to manipulate musical samples to create something new.
Answer: Juggle

The beat of a song is also called the “_____.”
Answer: Pulse

What does BPM stand for in DJing?
Answer: Beats Per Minute

What’s the process of adjusting the speed of a record to match the tempo of another song?
Answer: Beatmatching

What does EQ stand for in DJing?
Answer: Equalizer

What is the term for a short, repeated vocal or instrumental phrase used in DJ mixes?
Answer: Loop

What’s the technique of gradually increasing the volume of a song to introduce it smoothly?
Answer: Fade-in

What does “cueing” refer to in DJing?
Answer: Preparing the next track to be played at the right moment

What is the term for a DJ’s ability to select and play songs that create a cohesive musical experience?
Answer: Song selection

What do you call a DJ’s custom-made mix of songs, often used for promotional purposes?
Answer: DJ mixtape

Which of the following terms describes the lower end of the frequency range?
Answer: Bass

What is the term for the device used by DJs to seamlessly transition between two songs?
Answer: Crossfader

What is “hitting the post” in DJing?
Answer: The act of a radio DJ talking over a song’s instrumental intro and stopping just before the lyrics begin

What does “dropping a track” mean in DJing?
Answer: Playing a new song, often with a sudden and impactful transition

What’s a turntablist?
Answer: A DJ who uses turntables to manipulate sounds on records

What’s the main tool used by DJs to scratch records?
Answer: Turntable

What is “scratching” in DJing?
Answer: The technique of moving a vinyl record back and forth on a turntable to produce distinctive sounds

What does “crate digging” refer to in DJ culture?
Answer: The act of searching through record bins for rare or unique vinyl records

What is the function of a crossfader?
Answer: A control on a DJ mixer used to blend the audio signals from two sources

What is the role of a DJ booth?
Answer: The area where a DJ sets up their equipment during a performance

What’s the annual electronic music festival held in Belgium that attracts thousands of attendees from around the world?
Answer: Tomorrowland

Which city is home to the legendary nightclub Studio 54, known for its extravagant parties and influential DJ sets in the 1970s?
Answer: New York City

What’s the iconic DJ event held each year in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, known for its unique art installations and community?
Answer: Burning Man

In which Spanish island is the famous party destination Ibiza located, known for its vibrant nightlife and world-renowned DJ residencies?
Answer: Ibiza

What’s the annual DJ conference and festival held in Miami, Florida, where electronic music industry professionals and enthusiasts gather?
Answer: Miami Music Week (or Winter Music Conference)

Which desert city in California hosts the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, featuring a wide range of musical performances including DJ sets?
Answer: Indio

What’s the Dutch DJ duo who organized and performed at the “One Last Tour,” their farewell tour in 2012-2013?
Answer: Swedish House Mafia

Which European city is home to the Love Parade, a famous techno music festival and street parade that attracted millions of participants at its peak?
Answer: Berlin

What’s the DJ event series held at the Hï Ibiza nightclub, featuring world-class DJs and immersive production?
Answer: Black Coffee at Hï Ibiza

Which American city is known for its vibrant underground house and techno music scene, with numerous famous DJ clubs and events?
Answer: Detroit

What world-famous DJ was born with the name Tijs Michiel Verwest?
Answer: Tiësto

What hit-making DJ has hosted the weekly radio show, A State of Trance, since 2001?
Answer: Armin van Buuren

Joel Thomas Zimmerman is the birth name of what well-known Canadian DJ?
Answer: Deadmau5

What famous DJ is best known for their songs “Summer,” “Blame,” and “This Is What You Came For”?
Answer: Calvin Harris

What is the term for a DJ’s quick mixing technique used to blend two tracks in rapid succession?
Answer: Cutting

What software is commonly used by DJs for digital mixing and production?
Answer: Ableton Live

What is the process of manually speeding up or slowing down a vinyl record to match another track’s tempo called?
Answer: Pitch Control

Which DJ was the first to sell out a solo concert at a stadium, drawing over 25,000 people in Los Angeles?
Answer: Kaskade

What is the name of the weekly radio show hosted by Tiësto since 2007?
Answer: Club Life

Who is the first DJ to perform in space?
Answer: DJ Steve Aoki (planned for future mission)

Which DJ created the track “Strobe,” which is considered one of the most iconic songs in electronic dance music?
Answer: Deadmau5

What device allows DJs to adjust audio signals and mix multiple sound sources simultaneously?
Answer: DJ Mixer

Which DJ is known for his iconic helmet and has produced hits like “Alone” and “Friends”?
Answer: Marshmello

What is the act of quickly changing between two tracks to create a stuttering effect called?
Answer: Chopping

Which DJ won the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs award multiple times in the 2000s?
Answer: Armin van Buuren

What is the term for the distinctive sound effect created by manually moving a vinyl record back and forth on a turntable?
Answer: Scratching

Who is the famous DJ and producer known for collaborating with artists like Rihanna and The Weeknd on chart-topping hits?
Answer: Calvin Harris

What piece of equipment is essential for a DJ to listen to their next track without it being heard by the audience?
Answer: Headphones

Which French DJ is known for tracks like “Titanium” and “When Love Takes Over”?
Answer: David Guetta

What type of DJ uses digital software and controllers instead of traditional turntables?
Answer: Digital DJ