IndigO2, London
11-12.09.09
Everyone knows at least a brief history of hiphop, the dancing has become accepted on talent shows, rappers top the charts frequently and the art sells for hundreds of thousands of pounds world wide. Dj’ing is a different entity, with all the elements going their own direction, DJ’ing is unashamedly clinging on to its roots.
With the DMC’s now in its 25th year it’s the perfect time to showcase the past, present and future of the artform, the O2 Indigo is the venue DJ’s from the have made the pilgrimage to.Billy Biznizz and Inja are our hosts for the night and have the arduous job of keeping things flowing throughout the two nights.
The first competition, is the head to head Battle for World Supremacy. Lots of tidy, perfectly executed sets here, but in battle, these guys need to get more aggressive, excellent DJ’s like Japan’s Shota, S-Trix (Germany), all fell to the aggressive veterans like the UKs, Switch and Rasp. DJ Nelson from France I felt was lucky to make it past Italy’s Mandrayq, maybe the judges knew he could step up from his sets, but Mandrayq was certainly hard done by, he will be back.
Breaking the battles up tonight is a video retrospective set from DJ Yoda. With 25 years of footage at his disposal, he pulls out some classic moments; DJ David with his decks stacked up on coke cans bought back some memories. Some clown set his decks on fire, others choosing to breakdance on the 1200’s while all the old champs sets were dug out, from Roger Johnson and Chad Jackson right up to Rafik and Fly. Definitely a bit of fun to break up the battles.
In the semi finals, Jimmex from Mexico worked some hard beats in to a faultless juggle, but the charismatic DJ Nelson showed some flashes of his performances from last year and edged him out. While the other semi was an all UK affair, with reigning champ Switch lined up against DJ Rasp. Rasp kicked things off with some straight up insults on the battle wax, and progressed to some juggles. Switch came out swinging with a composed air of knowing he was defending his crown. After the two rounds Switch just had that bit more in the locker, but given the look Rasp glanced at the judges, he felt hard done by.
The Next PA was Jehst and Micall Parknsun doing a dual set, backed up with Jazz T on the wheels. Each dropping their own style with ease and backing each other up on the mic. Parkys album is doing the rounds right now, and the Jehst collaboration, “Bang” went down well and the crowd got totally involved in the authentic “All 4 HipHop” anthem – while Jehst dropped donned his “Nuke Proof Suit”
The Battle for Supremacy final was a repeat of last years, Switch from the UK and Nelson from France – the crowd were clearly torn, Nelson has undeniable talent, crossarmed beat juggles and bouncing around like the Fresh Prince, while Switch is much less imposing visually, but way more aggressive on the decks – I think Nelson was maybe a little over confident and hadn’t really progressed passed his 2008 sets, while Switch stepped up a little more and using new tools cockily dressed Nelson down to retain his crown as 2009 Supremacy Champ.
DJ I-Dee took the stage to show off Numarks latest digital scratch tool. I-Dee’s usual flair carried a mouthwatering set through….until his laptop failed and we were left with nothing on stage but a few embarrassed smiles, vinyl might jump from time to time, but when you add processors and hardrives your more than doubling your technical glitches! Set was still sick though.
The Team Finals broke down to the UKs Bionic Stylus crew taking 3rd, France’s excellent, established Traumateam taking the runners up spot – but once again the standout team was Japans Kireek, taking the champions spot for a 2nd year running. Hi-C and Yasa are just born to do this, switching decks, and styles with well practiced ease and winning the judges over with a hectic looking, yet smooth sounding set of quad table juggles and live remixing, deserved winners.
Night two is the big one. Longer sets this time for the World DJ Finals, this isn’t a head to head format, each set is marked by the all star panel of judges including Rob Swift, Qbert and PrimeCuts.
The sets came thick and fast with New Zealands DJ Impact coming through with a full range of skills, DJ Steel was faultless, in his execution, but sacrificed the music for tech ability. The UK’s Jeppa repeated his extra technical “War of the Worlds” set and Mandrayq launched straight in to a heavy battle set and stepping it up a further level at high speeds, amazing skills.
Third place went to the French, DJ Ligone who looked awfully serious up on stage, and was almost bionic in his set, although technically excellent, didn’t get the crowd bouncing, maybe too much time in the bedroom and not enough in the club comes in to play? Stepping up a place on his 2008 performance, DJ Co-Ma from Japan must be wondering what he has to do to take the crown. Technically perfect and definitely got the crowd rocking but the competition this year was equally tough and he shouldn’t feel hard done by, 2nd in the world is not something to ashamed of!
New York’s DJ Shiftee finally made it to the top of the game. His bouncing, confident style won the night, although technically faultless, Shiftee is just simply more fun to watch on the 1210’s – easing in and out of cheeky battle styles and more musical tricks and juggles, he had the air of champion as soon as he put the first record on the platter and even walked out and took a bow long before the results had been added up, a worthy champ, and will likely be back next year to defend too!
The PA’s on the night came in the shape of the legendary Rob Swift from the X-ecutioners, he killed it with some straight talking on the turntables while showcasing the “Scratch Live” system. Last years champ, DJ Fly stepped to the decks for a short set and showed why he easily won in 2008.
The highlight of the weekend was by far DJ Qbert’s showcase set – he is simply the master, and hasn’t lost any love he had for mixing – smiling, confident and here to entertain. Working his way through tools, even chomping on an apple in the middle of his routine and then calling out Killa Kela to rock some beatboxing for his scratching and then moving on to add Swift, Fly, Shiftee, I-Dee, Nelson, Switch and Primecuts to name a few to make up the “Super Jam” even with so many djs mixing at the same time, the sound didn’t sound busy, these guys are the best there is, and best there ever was.
So once again the DMC’s put on the perfect showcase for the art form of DJ’ing, the PA’s all killed it too, so a result all round. Bring on next year! Time for a mix.
Words and photos by Phil Procter