Top SA DJs primed for vinyl wars

Contrary to what poet and singer Jill Scott would have you believe, one is not the magic number. At least not where the Red Bull Thre3style is concerned.

The DJ Battle looks at which popular disc jockeys can use three chances to play three styles to win over a crowd.

The SA leg of this competition, which has been running internationally for five years, will take place at The Alexander Theatre in Joburg on Saturday.

Spin doctors from all over the country will have to show and prove in front of a panel of three judges.

One of the judges is DJ Ready D, who really needs no introduction. Helping him with the judging honours is DJ, label manager and party starter Kid Fonque, and electro DJ and Red Bull Studios manager Richard the Third. It seems it’s becoming tradition that Red Bull gigs are hosted by rappers.

For its annual Beat Battle competition, SA Music Award-winning rapper AKA was the host. This time, the energy drink maker has enlisted Tumi of Tumi and the Volume fame to be the MC. But what everyone really wants to know is: who will go head-to-head for the title of Red Bull Thre3style DJ Battle champ?

There’s the popular DJ Switch whom most of you may be familiar with thanks to his long stint on YO.TV and other SABC1 programmes. The dreadlocked DJ will go up against the lauded DJ Redwood who is a DMC (Disco Mix Club) champion and a beatbox beast. Speaking of the DMC Battle, Tha Cutt has won the coveted DJ title not once, but twice.

This official MTV Base DJ will compete alongside Das Kapital, who is a young electro DJ making his mark on the Cape Town scene.

DJ Soosh, who you may know as the DJ for the hip hop group Koldproduk, is also in the mix. So is Kool Out captain (who hosts international and local artists in Cape Town and Joburg) and Pioneer Unit affiliate DJ Raiko. SA DMC Battle judge White Nite will compete, as will Mother City dubstep pioneer Fletcher.

Who will you and Red Bull give wings to win a chance to represent SA at the finals in Chicago at the end of this year?

• The Red Bull Thre3style competition takes place at The Alexander Theatre, 36 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein, on Saturday. Tickets: R70 at the door.