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Loaded decks >> Homegrown hopefuls try to follow A-Trak's lead at this year's DMC by Scott C
"We have several strong candidates this year," says Chris Kendall from DMC Canada, "A couple of names from previous years are back, but there's some new talent as well that will make for a good show." With a panel of judges consisting of competent scrutineers from around the city and New Jersey as well, competitors should definitely bring their skills to the battle. Those of you who remember some not-so-memorable moments onstage from past years need not fret. The roster of competitors this time around comes equipped for a bout that could lead to the Canadian final in Toronto on August 29, and with any luck there'll be another A-Trak in the bunch. DJuxtaposition
DJ P-Love (Dekwrekaz)
name: Paolo Kapunan
DJ Pocket
DJ Supreme (Scratch Squad)
DJ Grahm aka G-Rek (Dekwrekaz)
DJ Shadow D
DJ Unaware
DJ Blast
DJ Mystical Flex
DJ Nerve
DJ Royal Skillz
DJ Flex
DJ AR-Gee
DJ Pat
DJ Kane
DJ Fade
The DMC Championships happen at Medley, Saturday, June 13 at 8pm. Tickets are $13 in advance (at Science, Tabou, etc.) and $18 at the door
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Many a Montreal scenester remembers the night last year that our own DJ A-Trak crabbed, flared and beat juggled his way to the dubious title of the best DJ in Canada. Even more will remember being vicariously dumbfounded when he went on to scoop the Technics World DJ Championships in Rimini, Italy later that year, cinching him for the modest title of the best DJ in the world. A lot has happened in a year, and with the Montreal eliminations of the DMC commencing at the Medley this Saturday night, I thought I'd check in on the chosen one and see what this world champ has been doing all these months.
A-Trak is slowly growing out of his "cuteness," but that's not to say that he hasn't a certain charm. He's quiet yet confident, and sometimes downright cheeky if you ask me, but always ready to talk. "I've been practising a lot," he says nonchalantly, pausing to chew the dinner I've interrupted. "After I won and was made an Invisible Skratch Pickle, I started doing all kinds of DJing appearances." Most of you know that there's a pretty penny to be made if you have a name and the skills to go with it in the world of wax; especially if you're being invited to DJ all around the world. What most of you don't know is that young A-Trak could be making much, much more if he wasn't such a conscientious and diligent student. A-Trak spends as much time in the books as he does on the decks, making him the thinking man's DJ... or the thinking DJ-man?
Anyway, those of you who haven't read the flyer properly should know that A-Trak is not actually competing on the 13th. He'll instead be performing a routine with old pal DJ Devious, alongside reigning US champ DJ Slyce, who is also taking on some judging responsibilities. With 15 turntablists competing, it's bound to be a loaded night.
In the good ol' spirit of competition, I've gone ahead and compiled some data on the players involved. Nothing too telling here, but there are a few clues to watch for when the big night comes. We've got Norbert and Luddy, Mervin and Rolondo and everybody else's applicable information, so here's a quick look at the turntablists set to strut some double-decked techniques on Saturday night.