It's time for the second part of the Best DJ list. I don't think I'll do one for the jugglers... too lazy, plus in this list there are some of the best beat jugglers anyway. So now I'll talk about the best battle DJs in the world. It's different from scratching because it's a composition of music.
In other words, it's kind of like the difference between freestyle rapping and doing a rap song... between an individual dancer and a crew of dancers. The concept is to make a song with highs and lows. It's different from scratching and you can't really compare the two. You can be an amazing scratcher but awful at doing routines, and vice versa. However the general trend is that the better scratcher the better routines. I think I just contradicted myself.
The following people have won countless World titles, created a movement in turntablism and unappreciated by the musically crippled. I put this in chronological order because since 2002/2003, after the Kentaro era, custom records came out. Before people had to use vinyl bought from a record shop. Custom records allows self-produced material, which gives more flexibility in the music genre. Anyway, behold:
DJ A-trak
His first battle was the 1997 DMC in Canada. He was only 15 at the time and went on to win the Canadian finals and the World Finals. By 18, he won all the world titles a DJ can possibly win. He joined the Allies crew with DJ Craze (below) and DJ Klever... and practised with the almighty Invisbl Skratch Piklz. Recently, he is Kanye West's DJ and he has a record label called Fool's Gold.
DJ Craze
Three time World DMC Champion. This is the most DMC titles a DJ has ever won, plus a load of others. He founded the crew the Allies, which was mainly a crew of US battle DJs. His innovation was he incorporated Drum 'n Bass into his routines. He is a very well-rounded DJ, and here is his 2000 winning set.
DJ Kentaro
DMC 2002 World Champion. I tell you this guy is insane. He is the first one to create a "concept" in his routine, i.e. to tell a story with his routine, which is quite subtle. He created the concept "No wall between music", which meant he incorporated all styles of music in his routine... house, reggae, drum n bass, hip hop... and puts it in a simple but genius way. This has heaily influenced all japanese DJs nowadays:
DJ I.emerge
This again is a multi-world title holder from NYC. He started the agressive and energetic style, and I think in general he is very entertaining to watch. He was one of the first who made custom vinyls for a battle, using his own production and some original songs.
DJ Netik
The last one is 2006 DMC World Champion DJ Netik from France. He also uses custom vinyl, but slightly different. He collaborated with a French producer called Le Jad, who created a new style in turntablism. The sounds are in general hardcore breakbeat electro hip hop... I guess. This has created a style that people love to hate. Despite that, I think he has done something amazing for DJing and for Hip Hop, and with the current debate over this type of music, it teaches people how important it is to have style. Le Jad has also collaborated with DJ Rafik, who is the 2007 World Champion. Anyway:
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