From its humble DJ record service beginnings in the early 80s, to establishing magazines, a street wear brand and music compilation CDs [including Back to Mine, described by NME magazine as ‘probably the greatest compilation series ever’], DMC has been vital in the growth of the DJ as a highly influential modern day cultural icon.
DMC redefined the role and image of the turntablist, believing strongly in the idea that the DJ could create something new and exciting armed with nothing but two decks, a mixer and healthy selection of vinyl.
26 years of hard fought battles later, and DMC has built an army of dedicated followers worldwide, housing successful branches and competitions in 25 countries. In the UK, host venues have included The Royal Albert Hall, Wembley Arena, The Millennium Dome, Brixton Academy and the Hammersmith Apollo. Whilst the Championship Finals were staged internationally in Italy, Paris and New York, the spiritual home for the DMC World DJ Championship has become London. With DMC making appearances everywhere from Richard and Judy and Blue Peter to MTV and even being entwined within the plot of an episode of CSI: NY, it is clear to see the organization’s impact on popular culture.
Many great names have taken part over the years and are now etched forever within the historic visual series of DVDs and on the DMCWORLD.COM web site’s DMC Hall of Fame. The inspirational performances of the world champions have advanced the art of turntablism and gone down in the history books for pushing the limits of what humans can do with technology, and this weekend London will be about the scratch, the tricks and some very fancy mixer work, as the DMC world DJ championships final gets underway at KoKo.
The DMC’s annual World DJ Championship competition continually brings together the world’s brightest DJ talents, vetted by a series of gruelling global heats. The hard fought UK Finals on the 15th July decided two battle worthy competitors to represent their country against the best in the world. Last year’s UK champ DJ Jeppa re-took the UK Finalist crown, and Deceptakut scratched his way to victory in the Battle for UK Supremacy. In order to become a DMC World Champion, both of these talented gentlemen will have to face DJs from around the world using techniques such as scratching and cutting to manipulate turntables and vinyl in order to create their own musical arrangements, performing live in front of an enthusiastic audience filled with the extremely knowledgeable DMC fans.
The weekend will see a showcase of some of the world’s finest tricksters and artists on show. Firstly – DJ Woody’s AV extravaganza ‘Turntables In Technicolor’ will be performed, with extra special footage of Tony Prince worked into the routine, and we’re being promised that “it will be without a doubt one of the most awe inspiring and frankly impressive AV shows you will ever see”. Secondly, in a slight diversion from the DJing, DMC will host a very special UK versus France Beatbox battle – just to show that the Anglo-France rivalry still exists even in the hip hop realm. Representing for the UK will be Reeps One, and the French will be honourably supporting their boy Eklips.
Former DMC World Champ and Harvard Graduate DJ Shiftee will make a re-appearance at the DMCs this year, but instead of competing he will be world premiering his new video The Golden Years, where Shiftee takes the legendary gold turntables on a time-traveling journey through DMC history. Repping for the females, emcee Yarah Bravo will be performing on the Sunday, not only bringing a break to the testosterone, but providing smooth lyrical delivery and on point performance.
Finally, DMC are extremely excited to announce that there will be an extra special Rane and Serato presentation from GrandWizzard Theodore – the inventor of the scratch! Who better to perform a showcase than the gent that every scratch DJ owes a part of their career, hobby and love of the turntables to? Rumour has it he might be performing a special set at the after party too…
With World Championship winners over the years including the superstar likes of the Scratch Perverts, A-Trak, Q Bert, Craze and Mixmaster Mike (Beastie Boys), fame and respect could well accompany the bountiful prizes on offer.
DMC WORLD DJ CHAMPIONSHIPS 2010
World Final, Team Battle and Battle For World Supremacy.
Sunday 17th, and Monday 18th October 2010
Sunday 17th October – Doors 5.30pm – 11.30pm
Monday 18th October – Doors 7pm – 11.30pm
KOKO, 1a Camden High Street
London NW1 7JE
Tickets £15 / 2 Day ticket £25
