When we talk about disk jockeys (also known as DJs or deejays) we think of someone who plays prerecorded music for an audience, usually a radio audience; but today's disk jockeys are more prone to spin records in clubs and at private parties, where keeping the audience dancing to the music may be the main activity.

Disk jockeys are sometimes called emcees, MCs, broadcasters, announcers or dancemasters. Formal training in broadcasting is useful, to say the least, for those interested in entering into the world of deejaying. Programs train in journalism, communications, broadcasting, and in the use of increasingly important technologies. Bachelor degrees have become common for DJs.

The term “disk jockey” was born in the era of the gramophone, that is, the era of vinyl disc recordings, which were played by radio announcers, hence the name. The disk jockeys at early radio stations selected the music that was broadcast over AM radio waves for the enjoyment of radio audiences.

Today's disk jockeys will broadcast over AM, FM, and shortwave radio bands and Internet broadcasts, and they use a number of sources for music, not just disks. Reviewing music demos, and selecting and playing prerecorded music remains their main function; but DJing, deejaying, playing, or spinning today means using computerized music files, CDs, and any other source of pre-recorded sound. More and more often, radio show music directors do the selecting of music and the DJ is responsible for emceeing. Some will choose specific music genres that appeal to specific audiences, playing hip hop, new age, rock and roll, jazz, reggae, Cajun, country, classical, etc.; disk jockeys can become well-known for the personalities they project.

Some of the most famous disk jockeys stem from the early rock and roll music era and include Dick Clark, who hosted American Bandstand for decades; Casey Kasem, who hosted American Top 40; and Wolfman Jack, whose distinctive gravely voice gained popularity early on, among many others.

Out of necessity, the disk jockeys of today have become expert technicians, using computerized sound amplification, mixers, drum machines, effects processors, etc., to enhance their live recorded broadcasts or performances. Technical equipment is used to manipulate the equalization of sound, cueing records, or mixing audio sounds or music from different sources. Technical equipment is used by disk jockeys to overdub or transitions sounds – “phrasing,” “cutting,” “slip-cueing,” “beat juggling,” “needle dropping,” “scratching,” “back spinning,” “phase shifting,” harmonic mixing, etc.

Mobile disk jockeys are another breed of DJs who set up traveling tours, carrying their own sound systems and collections of music to various venues – bars, nightclubs, weddings, schools, and private functions. They may be required to host vocal contests or interact with the audience in other ways to "get the crowd going."

There are about 69,000 disk jockeys in the U.S. today, most of them employed in broadcasting and the remainder self-employed freelance announcers who work on individual assignments and sell their services to radio stations and advertising agencies. Many are employed in other full time positions and deejay part time. Salaries vary widely.

The American Disk Jockey Association (ADJA) has chapters in every state and province in North America and offers its members a number of benefits, including equipment purchase and rental discounts, advertising materials, promotional campaigns, postcards, brochures, newsletter, legal and accounting consultation services, liability and property insurance, Mobile Beat DG Magazine, and other support.

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