This Friday night, the DMC World DJ Championship returns to Colorado for another eagerly anticipated edition of the battle at Casselman's Bar & Venue. Last year's champion, Colorado's own DJ Vajra, of course, went on to become the greatest DJ in the world, besting competition from all over the globe with his skills and technique, straight out of this regional. Vajra won't be competing this year, as he's on tour, but that leaves the competition open to a host of emerging talent competing alongside past contenders. We caught up with DJ Lazy Eyez, who's in his sixth year of organizing the local edition of the battle, to get the entire rundown on this year's event.
See Also: • DJ Lazy Eyez on the history and importance of the DMC World DJ Championship • Q&A: Rob Swift on being a DMC battle veteran • DJ Vajra wins Denver DMC DJ battle at Casselman's, 4/30/11 • DJ Vajra crowned 2011 United States DMC champion at New York finals • DJ Vajra crowned 2011 DMC World Champion • 2010 DMC US Finals DJ Battle in NYC dominated by Colorado DJs • Scratch It Up: The steel wheels keep turning in the DMC turntable battles.
The DMCs have a lengthy history that extends back to 1985, when Roger Johnson won the first DMC Championship in London. Scratch legend DJ Cheese claimed the title the following year, and since then, there have been numerous champions filtered through countless regional, national and international battles. Last year's champ, of course, came straight out of the Colorado regional before eventually moving on to the world championship in London and winning it all.
This year, when the DMC returns to Colorado, it will not only feature a battle of the DJs, but will also include the other elements of hip-hop, including a b-boy/b-girl battle and MCl battle. These added essentials make the contest stand out among all others across the country. "It's always a dope event, because it's probably the only event to incorporate a DJ, MC and b-boy battle all in one," says Lazy Eyez, who will host the event with Panama Soweto. "I'm pretty excited for it since DJ Vajra won the world championship last year. Unfortunately he's touring, so he won't be able to be at the Colorado DMC this year."
While Vajra showcases his skills to the masses, two-time DMC World Champion DJ Shiftee from New York City will hold down the guest-judge duties, as will Denver's own DJ Chonz. "We do have DJ Shiftee who's a dope two-time world champion from New York City," says Lazy Eyez. "He's the DJ that usually demonstrates a lot of the new equipment. All the DJ nerds watch his YouTube videos."
The winner of the b-boy/b-girl battle will take home $200, while the MC with the best rhymes will win $100. B-boy/b-girl battle judges include Fienz, Dash, Leo, and other names from the break scene. Along with cash prizes for the winners, entrants will also get cool swag from Rane, Stanton and other DJ equipment sponsors.
En Stereo (Mane Rok & Es-Nine), Cavem Moetavation, St. Nic and DJ Discord are slated to perform, and DJ Low Key, Almighty IZZ and Curly One will facilitate the tunes for the evening. The get-down is eighteen-and-up, and tickets are $8 (presale available at Casselmans.com) or $10 at the door. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to benefit Hip-Hop Congress Denver's annual summer park jam.
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