Qbert

The DMC World Champion returns to the biggest stage on the planet…

Qbert back again at the DMC World Championships

You are back performing at the DMC World DJ Championship Finals in Japan – the premier DJ competition on the planet. How old were you when you first discovered our battles – who jumped out at you?

I first saw the DJ battle flyers at a local DJ store in San Francisco back in the late 80’s. I was probably 17 years old. On one of the tables where you’d see ads and flyers was a pamphlet that said, “Join the DMC World DJ Competition and win $10,000!" It was like a lottery jackpot thing! I couldn’t believe my eyes! I wish I‘d kept that thing! Later I saw who was actually competing in that event and I’m glad I hadn’t joined just yet… DJs like Cash Money and Aladdin were destroying the planet with their savagery on the tables! It was like the pinnacle of hip hop for us at the time! Like watching extreme sports on turntables!

You have a rich history in Japan, you have many fans here. What do you love about this amazing country and its culture?

Japan goes really hard because it’s that Samurai in them… pure warriors and a culture that goes to the top of whatever they put their minds to. These people know the language of art deeper than most! You can see it in 

anything they love. It just becomes better when it’s introduced to this country. Fashion is excellent, food is the best, even the reggae champions are from Japan, not to mention world champion Bboys etc… oh and the Vatos are even more Cholo out there! As for doing, I love Miyajima, Ken One, Kouji, etc… so many Japanese scratching grandmasters to name but a few. I follow them all on Instagram. I’ll forever be a student following scratchers all over the globe!

France’s DJ Fly infamously came out of retirement to win his third World Title in Paris in 2024. Have you ever, ever, ever been tempted to battle once again? 

Honestly, I have never left… every day I practice to get better than what I did yesterday. I’ve never left battling. I just do it now in my own way… play the turntable like a musical instrument and have fun being free letting the universe flow through you…