World DJ Champions

DMC's World DJ Mixing Championships, sponsored by Technics, put DMC firmly in the public eye and also played a major part in redefining the role and the image of the DJ. The idea that the DJ could create something new and vibrant with two decks, a mixer and a pile of vinyl was thrust into the public consciousness.

DMC campaigned for DJing to be recognised as the art form it had become, for the DJ's value to be appreciated and for the DJ to be put out front. The competition has grown through the years - the venues have included The Albert Hall, Wembley, Ministry of Sound, the Peter Pan club in Riccione, Brixton Academy and the Hammersmith Apollo. The formats of the competitions have developed along with the demands. In the past we've seen teams of up to three competing with mixers, samplers and the like but for now the vibe feels like we should be getting back to the basics. From now on the competition is likely to involve the essentials - two decks and a mixer. Nomore. No less.

Many great names have taken part over the years. It is the inspirational performances of the world champions that will go down in the history books - DJ Cheese (USA '86), Chad Jackson (UK '87), Cash Money (USA '88), Cutmaster Swift (UK '89), DJ David ('90 and '91), the legendary Q Bert - Rock Steady DJs (USA '92 and '93). UK fans will remember great performances by Pogo, Reckless and Bizz Nizz (all so near and yet so far).

From the UK top entries to the competition have included Carl Cox, Tony De Vit and Tim Garbutt from Utah Saints. The Italians will point to their top DJ producers such as Zappala, Gemolotto, Cocoluto and DJ Professor who all made their mark in the competition. Sweden had Rob'n'Raz, Denmark had Cutfather and Soulshock, Holland had Juan 'King Bee' Elmzoon, Norway the amazing DJ Big K twice a world finalist in spite of his blindness. More recently we've seen a new breed coming through, Roc Raider, DJ Noise and in 1998/1999/2000 DJ Craze blew the judges away with their sets and 1997's champion A-Trak from Canada aged 15 years old will surely be the youngest champion to walk away with the coveted golden turntables.

DJ Rafik - World DMC DJ Championships History

2007 WORLD DJ CHAMPION - DJ RAFIK (GERMANY)

DJ Rafik is a 24 year old Dj/Turntablist/Producer/ from Dusseldorf, Germany. Rafik started DJing back in 95 when he was 13 years old and rocked his first club with Eric D. Clark one year later.

He got into turntablism in early 2000 after seeing DJ Hype from berlin do a show. Knowing this is what he wanted to do, he started messing with his first routines and finally won his first battle attempt in 2001. He's been doing pretty good at those DJ Battles since then! He turned out to be a 6 times Dj-World-Champion and 10 times national (or european) dj-champ. No one else in the history of DJ Battles has ever held 6 World titles. His most recent triumph was the DMC WORLD DJ CHAMPION TITLE 2007 which was produced alongside LE JAD from Dinan, France.

He's one quarter of the world famous Lordz Of Fitness Dj-Crew consisting of Kid Fresh, Rasgunyado, J-Bounce and himself and also a part of the "Cosmic Delivery" project, one of the worlds most revolutionary combinations between turntables and musical instruments. In 2004 he joined forces with Dj Tigerstyle(UK) and Dj Pfel (world famous C2C crew) for the project EUROSTAR. They enjoy playing mario kart, smoking, drinking, watching dvd's and doing routines together - just how it should be! As a Club DJ, he mainly play's club orientated hip hop, all kinds of electronica, a little rock, baltimore, baile funk, whatevers banging. BUT he can also lace a deep n soulful underground set that will tease your stoned eardrum, dont get it twisted.

Rafik has performed across the globe including USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Dubai, United Kingdom, France, Poland, Czech Republic, Estonia, Switzerland, Netherlands, Austria, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden and more. He's shared stages, clubnights and festivals with the likes of Q-bert, J-Dilla, A-Trak, Craze, Talib Kweli, Slum Village, Ghostface, Klever, MED, Pendulum, Kid Koala, The Pharcyde, Pharaohe, D-Styles, Shortcut, Stones Throw Artists, Roni Size, Andy C, Scratch Perverts, and the list goes on and on.

Check Out his myspace at www.myspace.com/djrafik

For press and booking inquiries contact booking@lordzoffitness.com

DJ Netik - World DMC DJ Championships History

2006 WORLD DJ CHAMPION - DJ NETIK (FRANCE)

Many French DJs dream of becoming a DMC World Champion and DJ Netik has done just that. Netik now holds the most acclaimed title in the world of DJing, following in the footsteps of legendary turntablists such as Craze and Q-Bert.

When watching Bruce Lee it's necessary for people to slow down the video tape in order to dissect his every move because in he was far too swift. This same theory applies to Netik, when he's at the turntable you have to make several attempts to coordinate what you see and what you hear. Netik's shows are as much a physical feat as it is a downpour of ultra-powerful syncopated beats, offering a combination of old school hip-hop and radical new electronic music. This is a devastating sound that hasn't been heard for ages. Half-man, half-machine, that's the way Netik enters into the legend.

ie. MERG - World DMC DJ Championships History

2005 / 2004 WORLD DJ CHAMPION - ie.MERG (USA)

Since 2002, I-Emerge has been active in the turntablist community as Head Professor at the Scratch DJ Academy (founded by the late Jam Master Jay) and member of the 5th Platoon.

ie.MERG has won more championship titles in 3 years than any other DJ has accumulated in a lifetime. Ie.MERG's most prestigious title came at the 2004 DMC World Championship with his stunning and brutal performance. Ie.MERG has now entered a whole new league of turntablists by successfully defending his DMC World Title in 2005.

For press and booking inquiries contact Premiere Artists Group at 561.792.2177 or email info@premiereartistsgroup.com

Dopey - World DMC DJ Championships History

2003 WORLD DJ CHAMPION - DOPEY (CANADA)

While the art of turntablism continues to please audiences across the globe, it goes without saying that DJ Dopey has played an integral role in its rise to the forefront. Having performed alongside the artform's finest including such names as DJ Q-Bert, DJ Craze, Mixmaster Mike, DJ Jazzy Jeff, The Beat Junkies, Scratch Perverts and The X-Ecutioners to name a few, DJ Dopey has solidified his rank among the greatest in his field by winning the coveted title of 2003 DMC WORLD CHAMPION.

For booking info: ivanevidente@needillworks.com or call (416)735-2242

Kentaro - World DMC DJ Championships History

2002 WORLD DJ CHAMPION - KENTARO (JAPAN)

The first Asian winner ever, KENTARO from JAPAN, represents the Endeavor Ent., took the World Title at The Brixton Academy, London.

On September 18th 2002, reigning DMC World 3rd place from 2001, DJ Kentaro (Kentaro Okamoto) re-tried for his 1st time World Champion title and claimed the title with almost the perfect score ever in DMC World history. Dedicating his winning 6 minute set to his consciousness " No walls between the music", DJ Kentaro finally took 2 gold Technics 1200's and a matching Technics DJ mixer to its home country.

Booking: gottsokamo@djkentaro.com or Call +81 90 7070 075

Plus One - World DMC DJ Championships History

2001 WORLD DJ CHAMPION - PLUS ONE (UK)

The first UK winner since Cutmaster Swift in 1989, Plusone, part of the Scratch Perverts, took the World Title at The Apollo in Hammersmith, London.

For booking info visit www.contagiousmusiq.com

DJ Craze - World DMC DJ Championships History

2000 / 1999 / 1998 WORLD DJ CHAMPION - CRAZE (USA)

Craze, from Miami, took the World Title for three years in a row! On Sept. 18th, at the prestigious Hammerstein Ballroom, Craze defended his 1998 World Champion title and ended up taking home yet another set of gold 1200's with a matching SH DJ1200 mixer, among other prizes! (Craze dedicated his set to his newborn daughter!)

For booking info: mihai@contagiousmusiq.com or call 212-629-9603

A-Trak - World DMC DJ Championships History

1997 WORLD DJ CHAMPION - A-TRAK (CANADA)

At 15, A-Trak, from Canada, was the youngest DJ to ever win our DMC World Championships! He is a member of both the Allies and Invisibl Skratch Piklz crews.

For booking info: mihai@contagiousmusiq.com or call 212-629-9603

DJ Noize - World DMC DJ Championships History

1996 WORLD DJ CHAMPION - DJ NOIZE (DENMARK)

DJ Noize started scratching relatively early at the age of 13, in his local youth club.

He finally got his own pair of Technics 1210`s at the age of 15, and two years later he would enter, and win, the Denmark DMC regional finals. A fitting beginning for a man who would go on to raise the standards of DJs around the world by making it to the DMC World finals Three years in a row; placing 3rd, 2nd and finally winning the prestigious title in 1996. And along the way, winning the amazing New Music Seminar DJ Battle, in a hot New York city, the summer of 1994.

After that he started touring the world, judging DJ battles and competitions. He also takes trips around the world performing with the incredible Freestyle MC Supernatural, and has opened for names such as Dilated Peoples, GangStarr, Grandmaster Flash etc.

These days he resides in his hometown of Copenhagen, Denmark. And although he still performs in Hip-Hop events and Nightclubs worldwide, he mainly operates in Scandinavia and the UK. Producing on the side, he is currently working on his own projects including regular mix tapes.

He also still hosts his self titled radio show on Denmark's National radio, every Friday night and has done so the last 7 years. With plenty of work in the advertising agency, he just finished work on a extensive commercial for Coca Cola. And he recently worked with the prestigious company Ortofon, designing their "Scratch" stylus.

Whether it be opening the Royal Cultural Award at the famous Copenhagen opera or jamming with fellow DJs in a intimate nightclub, he is always a great show to watch.

All time favourite DJ influences : Ca$h Money, Jazzy Jeff

Roc Raida - World DMC DJ Championships History

1995 WORLD DJ CHAMPION - ROC RAIDA (USA)

Roc and his crew are currently working on their first of 4 albums on Loud Records. The first single should be out by early 2000.

Roc Raida originally a member of the X-Men, Raida went on to help establish another crew, the X-ecutioners (consisting of Rob Swift, Total Eclipse, Mista Sinista, and himself).

The X-ecutioners have recently a 4 album deal with Loud records and fans can expect their first single to be out sometime in Sept. 99!

For booking info: mihai@contagiousmusiq.com or call 212-629-9603

DreamTeam - World DMC DJ Championships History

1994 / 1993 WORLD DJ CHAMPIONS - DREAMTEAM (USA)

With production commitments, DJ Apollo stayed away, leaving Q-Bert and Mixmaster Mike to defend their '92 World title - maybe this was the reason for the Team's name change? There is always something special about a title defence, until DJ David there wasn't any successful defence wins and everyone knew that if David hadn't pulled out his deck hand spin, the title would have been Q-Bert's and not David's. So what did Q-Bert & Mixmaster Mike have up their sleeves that could guarantee them the title for a second time? It was simply about the skills. Using only three turntables, Q-Bert pulled off some at the time unheard of Flare Scratches which we thought were just super fast transforming plus some really funky Beat Juggles which was a total rarity. Mixmaster Mike performed some amazing tweaking techniques over dubs using various tones and scratch vocals and also placed the mixer vertically so he could manipulate the channel switch up and down, the performance was a furious rollercoaster ride which grabbed everyone's attention and left us all baffled as to how that sound was possible! The techniques they introduced that night have become blueprints for all of today's Turntablists - the Hamster Mode when the channels of the mixer is reversed, Flutters, Drills, Hydroplanes, 1 Click Orbit Flares, Beat Chops and just when you thought the music was fast enough already, they flicked the mix into 45rpm mode and still made it look easy. When Tony Prince announced them as the winners, a bold Q-Bert took to the mic stating that there weren't any body tricks involved, just total manipulation of sound that demonstrated just why so many DJs still get it wrong by trying to copy or keep up with Champions from years gone by instead of being themselves and more importantly, original!

Rocksteady DJs - World DMC DJ Championships History

1992 WORLD DJ CHAMPIONS - ROCKSTEADY DJS (USA)

After DJ David's second victory in the early 90's, DMC acknowledged that digital technology was allowing DJs to becoming increasingly creative and decided to allow the competitors to incorporate this equipment in their performances - as long as it was live. DMC also introduced the teams with a maximum of four in each that gave birth to pioneers such as San Fran's Rock Steady DJs with Mixmaster Mike, DJ Apollo and a young Q-Bert who was looking for revenge after taking the runner up spot in the 1991 World Championships.

Their performance revolutionized the Championships proving that there was no need to use any digital technology at all, creating their own original composition from samples that were specially compiled on vinyl. This tool would become standard in future events, now known as 'Battle Breaks' and an essential record used by all competitors today. Words are not enough to describe how I felt that night. All I wanted to do was get home and start practicing, something I always do after seeing great DJs play.

DJ David - World DMC DJ Championships History

1991 / 1990 WORLD DJ CHAMPION - DJ DAVID (GERMANY)

The first entrant to win first place two years in succession. David now DJ's regularly in his native Germany. He has recently recorded a techno version of 'Original Gangsta'.

Cutmaster Swift - World DMC DJ Championships History

1989 WORLD DJ CHAMPION - CUTMASTER SWIFT (UK)

Cutmaster Swift - DMC World DJ Championships

A packed Royal Albert Hall saw Cutmaster Swift take the World Title. Since then he has worked with many artists including Jazzy B, Darkman, Rebel MC and more recently Suggs. He now tours with his own crew 'The Enforcers' and works for DMC as a producer and instructor for the DMC DJ School.

For booking information contact DMC - 01628 667124 or email: info@dmcworld.com

Ca$h Money - World DMC DJ Championships History

1988 WORLD DJ CHAMPION - CA$H MONEY (USA)

Philadelphia's DJ Cash Money took the hip hop world by storm when he became World Champion in 1988. He also won the New Music Seminar in New York. He then went into partnership with MC Marvelous, resulting in charting singles such as 'Ugly People Be Quiet' and 'Find An Ugly Woman'.

Cash continues to tour the world extensively and has established his own website: www.djcashmoney.com.

Booking info: astinyc1@aol.com or call 212-307-1611 or 973-748-3278

Chad Jackson - World DMC DJ Championships History

1987 WORLD DJ CHAMPION - CHAD JACKSON (UK)

Chad Jackson - DMC World DJ Championships

Chad shot to fame after taking the World title at the Royal Albert Hall. He hit the headlines shortly afterwards with the huge club hit 'Hear The Drummer Get Wicked!' More recent projects include 'Reefer' - a house music project on 'Stress' and Genetica - an experimental dance project on 'Related'.

DJ Cheese - World DMC DJ Championships History

1986 WORLD DJ CHAMPION - DJ CHEESE (USA)

Whilst most of his international opponents once again concentrated on their mixing abilities, it was left to New Jersey's DJ Cheese to exhibit the full extent of hip hop DJing which was then known as scratch mixing. There were a bold few who tried this new style of DJing but it was only DJ Cheese who could bring the full, raw street style of intense, rhythmical scratches and dynamic cutbacks that is the blueprint of today. Like many hip hop bedroom DJs, we all rooted for Cheese as he was undoubtedly our ambassador and his victory gave all the unrecognised and unacknowledged DJs out there the first opportunity to step and up be counted.

1st. DJ Cheese (USA)
2nd. Chad Jackson (UK)
3rd. Orlando Voorn (Holland)

Roger Johnson - World DMC DJ Championships History

1985 WORLD DJ CHAMPION - ROGER JOHNSON (UK)

The DMC World Championships may have officially started in 1986, but if we go back a year to 1985, DMC's first ever DJ competition was the DMC Technics International Mixing Championships at The Hippodrome in London. An all European affair that saw the UK's Roger Johnson take the title at what was at the time London's largest nightclub. Back then, the DJs focussed on their mixing ability with the rare venture into the hip hop style of scratch mixing, what today we call the world of Turntablism. Roger was awarded the DMC Champion bomber jacket, the DMC Gold 7" Trophy and a VIP trip to New York. Since this was the Championships in it's infancy, there isn't any video or audio recordings of Roger's set, but there is a radio studio performance available which should give you an idea of the music, scratch and mixing level back in the day.

1st. Roger Johnson (UK South)
2nd. Martin MC Sweeny (UK North)
3rd. Rodger Tuuri (Sweden)