.:Turntablism: Beat Juggling & Scratching v2.0

If you're new here and like what you see, you may want to subscribe to my email alerts or RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

While I’m here wallowing in the DMC Championships of the past - the 2007 Championships are well on the way. This week brings the UK finals to the Shepherds Bush Empire. The best turntablists from around the UK have fought it out in the regional heats and will be battling for the title of UK DMC Champion and a chance at taking the coveted World DMC Title. The regional heat winners from Bristol to Birmingham and Liverpool to London include X-Rated, Rasp, Mr Eclipse, Andy H, Furious P and JFB. Which one will be representing the UK in the Worlds this year? I know I’ll be there to find out.

The night is hosted by Cutmaster Swift, Trip and DJ Billy Biznizz, and will feature performances from DJ Netik (Defending World DMC Champion), DJ Tigerstyle (2003 Battle for World Supremacy Champion), DJ Troubl’ and Beardyman. With a line up like this and many bloodthirsty DJ’s it is sure to be a huge night.

Tickets are £12.50 available from DMCWorld.com , www.ticketweb.co.uk and www.ticketmaster.co.uk

See you there!

Comments(0)

A couple of days ago I posted DJ Plus One’s routine from the 2001 World DMC’s. I decided it would only be appropriate to link you to Kentaro’s full set for 2001. The previous Kentaro video I posted wasn’t necessarily the best part of his set (actually I think it was…) His whole set is very solid, showing excellent beat juggling skills, nice clean cuts and good beat selection. His drumming skills, though, seem to be lacking a bit compared to Plus One.

Make sure you check out Kentaro’s World DMC 2001 set on YouTube. Pay great attention after the sample “We’re gonna do a song that you never heard before…”. That stuff is gold, thoroughly deserved second place.

There will still be more Kentaro to come soon, as promised. Also some timely news on the World DMC Championships which are well into the heats across the globe. View the DMC World DJ Championships website for more.

Comments(5)

In my last post Kentaro tore up part of his routine from the 2001 World DMC Championships. That year he place second to Plus One who pulled off his infamous ‘Still Number One’ routine. I thought it appropriate to let you see the routine that won it that year. Here is DJ Plus One’s winning routine on YouTube. He performs excellently under pressure, coming out with pure confidence and style - “I will not lose” - a big statement that proved to be true. Pulling off some nicely crafted faderless drums, he later creates creates some really unique sounds by almost tearing the needle from the cartridge and finishes up with those still number one cuts and juggles that I will never forget.

For all those who are curious, he is sampling is I’m Still #1 by Boogie Down Productions. BDP are still number one in my book too.

You really gotta check it out. DJ Plus One’s 2001 World DMC Routine. Once you’ve finished watching that, come back and check out the post on Kentaro’s second place routine.

Comments(0)

Australian turntablist DJ G-Smooth has collected yet another title to his name. G-Smooth took out the Australian title to go on and compete in the Asia Pacific finals in Bangkok, Thailand. Competing over 15-20 minutes each on two DNS3500 CD Players and a DNX1500S four channel mixer, the competition was tough but no match for the experienced tablist who wooed the judges and crowd with his impressive array of skills and knowledge of the equipment.

Usually feeling at home on his trusty battle set up of Technics 1200 MK II’s and SH-EX 1200 Mixer, he is no stranger to all forms of DJ equipment and will make use of whatever is at hand. Here’s a small caption about his set taken from the Denon website:

” G-Smooth began with an impressive display of scratching and transforming pushing the limits of the DN-S3500 Active Platter and DN-X1500S Flex Fader. G-Smooth was clearly a battle DJ challenging all his opponents with some very good use of gangster movie samples and a confident stage performance. Great use of the hot starts for instant drumming and impressive beat juggling placed G-Smooth as top contender for the competition.” Read More.

With an extra title now under his belt and the World DMC’s looming, all we can do is wait and see what G-Smooth has up his sleeve next.

For more info on G-Smooth and his current work check his MySpace Page.

Comments(0)

I wanted to post the video of Craze’s 2000 set that took the title over Dexter (see last post), but unfortunately embedding is disabled so I can’t post it on this site. Check out his set on YouTube instead.

You will find parts of this set very similar to the needle droppin’ video I posted recently. This 2000 DMC set was what won DJ Craze the title for the third year running and put him down in history books as one of the worlds top DJ’s.

View DJ Craze’s World DMC 2000 set on YouTube.

Comments(1)

Representing O-Z to the fullest. This has got to be, in my opinion, Australia’s best DMC entrant ever. It might (or might not) be fair to say that Dexter really should have won this title, with all respect to DJ Craze and his skills. Dexter had to accept a modest 2nd place in the World DMC championships in 2000.

Yes, here is some consistency between this and the last post, as Dexter is supporting the almighty Shadow at the forum on June 7th ‘07. Should be a great show considering the skills of both of these awesome tablists.

Comments(4)

Loaded and Triple R present

An intimate night with

DJ SHADOW & MC Gift of Gab (Blackalicious)

Daddy G [Massive Attack] & Dexter

This is a rare showcase and tickets are strictly limited.

Full Live Visual Show feat. MC Gift Of Gab (Blackalicious)

Hailing from California’s Bay Area, the elite DJ Shadow is set to deliver a not-to-be-missed, distinctive live performance alongside longtime comrade Gift of Gab (Blackalicious) at Melbourne institution, The Forum, on June 7th.

Ensconced as one of San Francisco’s most instrumental personas in the Bay Area movement, DJ Shadow is the embodiment of the city’s spirit, a temperament paralleled by sister city Melbourne and articulated by Melburnians. Suitably, after his previous sell out Outsider tour, DJ Shadow invites MC Gift of Gab to be a part of a fresh, carefully crafted showcase for Melbourne, an audience armed with an artistic intellect to relish in the full spectrum of imagination and all it brings to light.

Shadow and Gift of Gab are a united creative force to be reckoned who share a sentiment for progressive independent artistry. They were fellow crew members in the early day and founders of the underground award winning hip hop label SoleSides later reinvented as hip hop collective Quannum Records; the label under which Gift of Gab (as one half of Blackalicious) released Nia (2000) and Blazing Arrow (2002) as well as first solo album 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up (2004).

Perched alongside the current dons of the hip hop world including The Neptunes, Dr. Dre and Timbaland; DJ Shadow’s gamut of creative works range from trip hop and ethereal soundscapes through to rocking west coast hip hop, including his most recent collaboration with Q-Tip (A Tribe Called Quest).

DJ Shadow’s legendary live performance is an amazing spectacle enhanced by visuals, coupled with MC Gift of Gab, this is definitely a show that will leave you in awe and aching for more. And this may also be your last chance to see Shadow on these shores for several years to come so best be quick.

Catch the Shadow before he disappears!

Supported by heavyweights Daddy G [Massive Attack], Dexter and Mike Hunt.

DATE & VENUE

Thu June 7, Forum Theatre, 154 Flinders St, Melbourne

Box Office: (03) 9299 9700

SUPPORT. Daddy G, Dexter and Mike Hunt

TICKET OUTLETS.

$79 + BF. Available through www.loadedentertainment.com.au

Available through Ticketek - All stores 132 849

Central Station Records - Melbourne, Click n Drag - St Kilda, D M C Beats - South Yarra, Mighty Music Machine - Chapel St, Northside Records - Fitzroy, Polyester Records – Fitzroy

Comments(0)

Being an Australian based site, I thought it might be suitable to pay homage to one of Australia’s best in recent years - DJ Perplex. Coming out of the woodwork (or should I say steelwork?) a few years back, perplex made a name for himself down under relatively quickly and more recently won the 2006 Australian DMC championships - see Aus DMC results post. The following video is of the routine that won him the title over Snair and G-smooth. Props to Perplex - a killer routine.

Comments(0)

Universal Zulu Nation, Rebel Music and Cultural Infusion present:

Headline acts: Lord Finesse, Grandmaster Roc Raida, Q-Unique

Live: Fresh Sox AKA Zulu Kingz, Feva Pres, RuCL, Infallible, Mantra, Suburban Intellect

DJs: Kristy, Wasabi, Peril, FX, Tarkee, Smitten

Performances by: Zulu King Excel + Host Solomon Theta

Time: 7pm

More info: Zulu Supajam Myspace page

Tickets/Entry: $48+ BF

Dates/Venues:

Sydney 16/11 @ The Metro,

Adelaide 17/11 @ HQ,

Brisbane 18/11 @ The Tivoli,

Melbourne 19/11 @ The Metro.

Comments(0)

Numark and Akai Pro presented the 2006 PBS DJ competition held at First Floor last Friday the 15th of September.

Congratulations to G-Smooth in taking out the title and taking away the AKAI Pro MPC1000. G-Smooth has also previously claimed the titles: ITF Scratch / ITF Team / VIC Scribble Jam Champion and is slowly collecting more to his name. Make sure you keep an eye on this smooth tablist. G-Smooth MySpace page.

Heres a few more details obtained from the PBS Website about the 2006 PBS DJ comp:

PRIZES
1st Prize – AKAI Pro MPC1000
2nd Prize – Numark Fusion 494 CDJ Pack
3rd Prize – Numark DM 1050 Mixer

JUDGING CRITERIA BASED UPON:
1. Set flow and dynamics (strong emphasis)
2. Musicality and listenability
3. Technical merit, skills and tricks
4. Originality and creativity
5. Crowd reaction, stage presence

JUDGES:
DJ KC (3x AUS DMC champ, 5th DMC Worlds 1993, United DJ Mixing School)
Prowla (DJ, producer, artist, Nuffsaid Records)
DJ Manchild
DJ Mu-Gen

FORMAT
10 minute battle/party set. Strong emphasis on programming and set flow as well as tricks. Primary heat stage to be followed by a three person final to determine places and prizes for first through third.

For more info about 2006 PBS DJ Comp and other events sponsored by PBS visit their website pbsfm.org.au

Comments(0)