Bernar Nazarmuhamedov, known on stage as Ben Zaplavski, has been in this field for many years. Technology, the club scene, and the audience's taste have all changed during this time, but the profession itself is remarkably stable at its core, because its main component is the connection between a person and music.
We asked Bernard Nazarmukhamedov to tell us how one begins the journey of a DJ and what is important for those just considering the profession to understand.
"Music has been with me since childhood"
I wouldn't say I feel a grand celebration on this date. But for me, it's a warm day because it's like a worldwide emphasis on the profession I've dedicated myself to. It's also an occasion to meet with loved ones and gladly play a charity set in support of children.
Many circumstances led me to this profession, which began to take shape in childhood. Music always played in our creative family. I remember how, as a six-year-old child, I already knew how to turn on the vinyl record player, carefully place the record without smudging it with my hands, and cautiously set the needle on the spinning disc. That's also when I began to distinguish music: I could tell French chanson from jazz or from classical works, for example, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Then there was music school. Seven years of piano class, a couple of years of classical guitar. And in 1994, when I was 14, I first started working in a children's camp in the radio booth and in the evenings played music on the dance floor using an "Elektronika-322" tape deck with audio cassettes. Back then, I still didn't know what DJing and mixing were, and the first albums by DJ Bobo and Haddaway were playing then.
Later came the School of Dramatic Art at the Ilkhom Theatre. There we studied vocals, dance, participated in musical performances, played percussion and piano. Music literally surrounded me from all sides.
All of this gradually formed what is essential to becoming a DJ: a sense of rhythm, timing, harmony, and ear.
Bernard Nazarmuhamedov
Musical taste is more important than equipment
There are many myths surrounding DJing, one of them is that it all starts with technique. However, the foundation of the work is the ability to listen and hear.
Of course, I remember the turning points that influenced my taste. One of them was 1989, when Michael Jackson's album Thriller reached me. Since then, I have loved the track Billie Jean for life.
Turn it up loud and listen closely—not just to the song, but to its structure. Pay attention to the bass line. To how the pads come in, how the guitar enters, how the drum section is built. Listen to how the backing vocals and individual vocal exclamations work. And then you'll be amazed at how it's all done with simultaneous simplicity and genius, and that's precisely why this track captivates millions of hearts to this day.
The ability to hear a track's structure comes with experience. The main thing in this matter is not to stop listening to music and analyzing what exactly gives you "goosebumps."
Another important moment happened later, in 1997, when I started promoting my first parties at "Ilkhom." That's when I met my friend and mentor Gleb Deev, who caused a revolution in my musical consciousness. I discovered a huge number of styles, and most importantly, I learned to distinguish harmonies that touch a raw nerve and grip you to the core. It turned out there isn't just jazz. There's Nu-Jazz, Acid Jazz, Future Jazz, Jazz House: a whole world of sound. At the same time, CDs began to appear, and my music collection and musical consciousness began to expand.
Bernard Nazarmukhamedov
Technique: what you need to start
Of course, the next question inevitably arises — what about equipment? Do you need expensive decks, controllers, and vinyl to start playing?
My first equipment was a Behringer DJM-600 mixer and a Pioneer CDJ-200 player; it was on these that I learned to mix tracks. I didn't have a mentor to explain how to properly set the CUE, what position to keep the Low/Mid/High EQs in, and when to raise the crossfader. I had to figure everything out on my own.
I spent hours observing DJs at work in various clubs and then tried to replicate it, going through a process of trial and error. Of course, nowadays technology can do everything for me with the press of a sync button, but I don't want to deceive myself or the audience. I am inspired to create using classic techniques, even on a controller. Many people think a DJ just presses a few buttons, but skillfully performing magic so a person doesn't notice how the music changed—that technique is achieved through persistent training. In theater they say, 'Rehearsal is my love.' Mastery is achieved through long and meticulous rehearsals.
Bernard Nazarmukhamedov
Starting the journey today has become easier: there are DJ schools with modern equipment, and many professionals take on students individually.
I also sometimes take on students. But it's simple: without trying, you won't know if this is your path.
Bernard Nazarmukhamedov
Yet the profession retains its own romance. For example, vinyl.
There is music that only comes out on vinyl. You can hear it in DJ sets, but it might never appear in digital form. I searched for one such remix for twenty years. You could buy it, but only on vinyl. In the end, my friends gave me this record.
If you want to play on vinyl, constant monitoring of vinyl stores worldwide is necessary, buying at least ten records a month to update your playlist. Then it's a matter of price and delivery.
The availability of cheap "digital" and the sync button literally flooded the scene with huge competition. Many people started playing "for 300 thousand" appeared. But over time, the audience still begins to distinguish exclusive quality and taste. And only persistent, purposeful, and daily work leads to results. Very cliché, right?
Bernard Nazarmukhamedov
First time at the club
The thrilling moment of the first set for many DJs is something they both eagerly anticipate and fear. Hours of practice and, finally, the encounter with the most unpredictable part of the profession—the audience.
I always prepare new sets. First, I carefully compile lists, select tracks, and then arrange the set according to dynamics and style.
Bernard Nazarmukhamedov
This is adherence to dramaturgy: music has its own development, climax, and resolution.
Despite the preparation, there is always room for improvisation. Because a DJ must observe the dance floor, the mood, and the reactions of the people. You need to be able to sense when a track "isn't working" and skillfully change it.
It should have its ups and downs. You can't pound hard techno into people's heads for two hours straight. Even in the most energetic set, there must be transitions—moments when people can catch their breath.
Bernard Nazarmukhamedov
The most challenging part of the profession
Instability, competition, and constant emotional investment can eventually lead to burnout. And then the question arises — why continue?
Just as in theater, in music everything for me is based on the belief that I create a mood, share beauty, and initiate thought processes. Through me, a moment of immersion in bliss is created. The pure idea of beauty. The birth of inspiration through a light meditative state.
Immersion in dance through melody did not arise yesterday. Ancient ancestors entered a musical trance to cleanse the mind. Think about why you dance or simply nod your head to the beat of Techno, Drum’n’Bass, Funk, Disco, or Melodic.
Bernard Nazarmuhamedov
Even people who have been in the profession for a long time have doubts.
We are living Souls, and there are rare hours of doubt. In such moments, I turn to the origins and the masters. Today, there is a wealth of literature available on the history of the birth of House and Techno. One of my favorite books is «Electrochoc» by Laurent Garnier. I recommend it.
Bernard Nazarmukhamedov
How the profession has changed
In recent years, it's not just the technology that has changed in Tashkent's club scene, but the scene itself.
Personally, I believe the reboot in our city happened around 2017–2018. There was a new wave of development in electronic music, and House and Techno started sounding fresh.
At that time, my friend DJ Arthur Davidson and I conceived the idea of creating a radio program about electronic dance music. Thus, the Electro Esthetic Radio Show was born on Maxima 105.4 FM. Thanks to Arthur's perseverance, the program still airs every Wednesday at 10:00 PM.
Bernard Nazarmukhamedov
The next step was an attempt to unite different artistic movements.
In 2019, together with a large group of musicians, DJs, experimenters, and like-minded friends — Minas Connect, Potrvcheno, Farro Garsia — we held one of the first United Underground / IlkhomElectroFest festivals. There, I first combined electronic music and dramatic art. Now I have several scripts written in this direction.
Bernard Nazarmukhamedov
Recommendations for beginners: why it's important to keep moving forward
Production becomes the next step for many DJs. Ben Zaplavski worked towards this for quite a long time.
It all started with piano sketches, then learning a new DAW. Realizing that, besides DJing, you're gaining another profession is a great feeling. The release of new tracks slowly began at the start of 2025. I'm most drawn to house, but the genre palette is quite broad.
I continue to delve into the labyrinths of Ableton. Ahead lies much more discovery, ideas, and music. Goals and objectives are outlined. The mood is inspired, the movement continues — and I wish the same for everyone.
Bernard Nazarmukhamedov
Why pursue this profession
If you remove money, club life, and likes from the DJ profession, what remains is that very simple and most important thing—the music and the people who listen to it:
The desire to play favorite tracks for the public, for people. Immense pleasure from seeing someone nod along to the rhythm of a track I put on air.
Bernard Nazarmukhamedov
And perhaps it is precisely this feeling that keeps many in the profession years later.
Through hardships to the stars!
Bernard Nazarmukhamedov
Ben Zaplavski's music is available at the link:
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