Highlighting China’s turntable masters

Since 2002, China has sent its champion turntable DJ to London for the annual DMC World Champion DJ competition. Not to be confused with the over-hyped DJ Mag list of Top 100 DJs—which are usually trance and house DJs selected by popular vote—the DMC focuses on hip-hop-inspired turntable skills. Expert judges select the winners. DMC competing DJs do a 6-minute performance and are judged on skills, tricks, scratches, beat juggling, crowd interaction and music selection.

This year there are 16 DJs from ten cites around China—from Shanghai to Inner Mongolia to Anhui Province.

For the last two years, Beijing's DJ Wordy has taken the China crown and will be one to watch this time as well. Generally the DJs must be from the country they compete in. However, if a DJ has been living in a country for over seven years, he / she is allowed to compete. So, the Lab's DJ Shige, originally from Japan but an eight-year resident of Shanghai now, will be allowed to compete in the China finals this time.

We'll be rooting for Shanghai's hometown boys DJ Memory and HBD. This will be HBD's first time in the competition, and we wish this kid luck—he's been stepping up with impressive sets around town, from "Back to the Roots" to Club dkd.

The China Finals event takes place at 4 Live on Saturday, June 30. If the competition isn't enough to get you going, it'll be followed by a performance by 2006's world champion, DJ Coma (Japan), and "group" champs Hifana. If you're into turntablism and DJs, this is a night you won't want to miss. And if you don't know what all the fuss is about—then all the more reason to check it out! Personally, we can't be bothered with yet another Top 100 sucka DJ from Superclub X in Europe ... and as we're getting blessed with more live rock music lately, getting down with a fun-loving, youthful art-form like turntablism is deliciously refreshing.

In other news, highlight July 5 on your calendar. The Antidote has a trick up the sleeve, and the location is a secret—even to the venue. (Ha ha ha.)