Whats the least amount of equipment you can get away with purchasing and still look semi-competent? I see tons of DJs with mixing boards, turntables, lights, speakers, etc often in the multiples for different events but I know you could get away with less. Whats the bare list yo would recommend?

It depends a lot on where your gig is. There is a local club I do on a regular basis that has all it's own gear, I don't take anything but my music. If I had landed that gig right at the start I'd have been way slower at getting my gear together because I wouldn't have needed it.