Excuse our local beat-juggler boosterism for a moment, but there are some turntablists in town whose skills are so unearthly we reckon they might just have brokered their everlastings soul to Lucifer in trade for prodigious abilities.
And if they haven't, they might want to consider the deal.
Every extra mojo that any local scratch kings can muster when participating in the DMC Phoenix Regional DJ Battle on Saturday, April 18, at the Monarch Theatre, 122 East Washington Street, is gonna come in handy if they want to smite the competition and reign supreme.
And according to David "Fact 135" Dimmick, one of six local veteran DJs evaluating the talent at the event, the judges aren't gonna be easily impressed. Competitors will essentially have to be the total package if they hope to advance, he says. "Everything comes into play," Dimmick says. "Stage presence, confidence, creativity, showmanship, scratching, technical ability, beat-juggling, and you have to own that shit onstage."
The pressure will be unreal, but so is the prize: The one that prevails earns a berth at the DMC World Championships, arguably the most biggest battle in the DJ world, in NYC this summer and a shot at the gold-plated Rane mixer that serves as the trophy.
DJ Tricky T, Akshen, Rholi Rho, D-Styles, and Quest will also judge, and the latter three will perform showcase sessions after the battling is through. Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 in advance, $15 on the day of the 18-plus event. See www.coolinoutworldwide.com. — Benjamin Leatherman
