1985 was the first year that DMC held a DJ convention in London. This now-famous convention resulted in the launch the following year of the DMC DJ World DJ Championships, where an American DJ known as DJ Cheese became World Champion thanks to his scratching skills and manipulation of DJ decks.
By the following year, DJs were using the fledging championships to showcase new and quirky tricks using their DJ decks. Props used for scratching in 1987 included bicycles, kitchen sinks, billiard cues and an American football. As well as allowing DJs to show off their skills, the event also brought DJ decks to unusual venues, such as The Albert Hall.
The Championship continued to become more popular, attracting stars such as James Brown and Janet Jackson to the event, and by 1990 the DJ battle had to move to Wembley Arena which was more used to seeing acts such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. The DJ Championships sold out, and some even tried to get access by ramming an exit door with a car.
The first Wembley event was dominated by Germany's DJ David, who managed to hold onto his title the year after, when his act involved him spinning himself on his DJ decks... New skills and tricks appeared every year, coming from international artists. Italy hosted the Championships for a couple of years, before they headed back to the UK, and teams were able to compete as well as individuals.
The 25th anniversary of DMC two years ago was proof enough that DJ culture is here to stay. The popularity of the Championships is ever-increasing, while the prize, golden Technics DJ decks, is a reminder of the iconic status of turntables, which remain at the centre of the culture.
The first online DJ Championship was launched earlier this year, and offered the winner a place in the 2011 finals. These will happen in London at the IndigO2 arena on October 6th and 7th. Enthusiasts are already speculating as to which contenders will take the golden DJ decks home.
By the following year, DJs were using the fledging championships to showcase new and quirky tricks using their DJ decks. Props used for scratching in 1987 included bicycles, kitchen sinks, billiard cues and an American football. As well as allowing DJs to show off their skills, the event also brought DJ decks to unusual venues, such as The Albert Hall.
The Championship continued to become more popular, attracting stars such as James Brown and Janet Jackson to the event, and by 1990 the DJ battle had to move to Wembley Arena which was more used to seeing acts such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. The DJ Championships sold out, and some even tried to get access by ramming an exit door with a car.
The first Wembley event was dominated by Germany's DJ David, who managed to hold onto his title the year after, when his act involved him spinning himself on his DJ decks... New skills and tricks appeared every year, coming from international artists. Italy hosted the Championships for a couple of years, before they headed back to the UK, and teams were able to compete as well as individuals.
The 25th anniversary of DMC two years ago was proof enough that DJ culture is here to stay. The popularity of the Championships is ever-increasing, while the prize, golden Technics DJ decks, is a reminder of the iconic status of turntables, which remain at the centre of the culture.
The first online DJ Championship was launched earlier this year, and offered the winner a place in the 2011 finals. These will happen in London at the IndigO2 arena on October 6th and 7th. Enthusiasts are already speculating as to which contenders will take the golden DJ decks home.
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