SA DJs battle for top spot

Tuesday, 21 August 2007 10:16 Written by Traffic Integrated Marketing

Twenty of SA’s top spinners are gearing up for the musical challenge of the year as Hennessy Cognac presents the Hennessy Artistry DJ Battle - the first nationwide search for the country’s most talented house and hip hop DJs.

Blending the hard bass beats of contemporary house with the scratch-driven notes of local hip hop, the DJ Battle line-up boasts both established names such as DJ Willy and DJ Milkshake going head-to-head with relative unknowns within the music industry.

“I’ve only been DJing for three years,” says musical novice and Johannesburg spinner, Just Mo. “I’m betting on my natural talent to beat out the more experienced guys – hopefully my unique style will wow the judges.”

With events starting on 24 August, the first rounds of the DJ Battle will play out across the nation, as DJs such as DJ Willy, Thurston, BoBlack and Reva all vie for a place at the ultimate clash - the finals of the Hennessy Artistry DJ Battle at the Backroom, Soweto on 8 September.

The night will see SA’s top house and hip hop DJ crowned, with each DJ winning a set of customised, top-notch mixing equipment and the prestigious title of South African DJ Battle champion.

“The DJ Battle will showcase the best talent that South Africa has to offer,” says house judge and local music heavyweight, DJ Ready D. “Contestants will have to demonstrate their technical prowess, rhythmic talent and performance expertise in order to make it to the final.”

Music lovers and avid clubbers also stand the chance to win an amazing all-expenses paid trip to Hennessy Artistry International in Los Angeles, USA. Three lucky winners and their partners will enjoy a week of ‘rock star’ treatment, culminating with the Hennessy Artistry concert, an exclusive global music experience at the Paramount Pictures Studio.

Boasting an all-star line-up, the Hennessy Artistry concert blends four distinct genres of music into a night of incredible entertainment that will see artists such as punk rockers Fall Out Boy share the stage with global hip hop icon, Pharrell Williams.

For the chance to win this fantastic trip to Hennessy Artistry, or for a full list of DJ Battle participants, log onto www.hennessy.co.za

Dates and Venues

Regional Battles

24-Aug	Zambezi Lounge, Johannesburg
25-Aug	Times4, Johannesburg
26-Aug	SkeemGP, Johannesburg
30-Aug	Sky Bar, Durban
31-Aug	Chrome, Cape Town
	Taboo, Johannesburg (Regional Final)

Final

08-Sep

Backroom, Soweto

Confirmed participants

GAUTENG

House	Hip Hop
Just Mo	DJ Milkshake
Jazzidis	BoBlack
Sia	Brad
Patrick	Dimplez
Reva	Presizon
Sakhe (lady)

DURBAN

House	Hip Hop
Sandesh the Mixmaster (Sandesh Rooplal	Andre (Andre Pewa)
DJ Tallman (Jerome Kisten)	Pay-per-kut (Verdine Peterson)

CAPE TOWN

House	Hip Hop
DJ Ian (Ian Brink)	DJ Willy (Wilfred Hendricks)
Chad Wilscott	DJ Codax (Morne Joseph)
Big G (Grant Johnson)	Thurston (Thurston Hendricks)

Judging
Judging criteria for the Hennessy Artistry DJ Battle differs for each genre since these two musical fields have different techniques. However, both genres are judged on crowd interaction, presentation and professionalism.

Full list of judges