The OG of Australian turntablism and the King of the Kuts from Keysie, J-Red needs no introduction to the hip hop world.
His resume does all the talking: 2005 World ITF Experimental DJ Mixing Champion, 13 times Australian DMC DJ champion, plus ITF & Vestax DJ Mixing Champion.After some time away from the scene, it's not surprising that J-Red is one of the ten finalists in the 2020 Australian DMC DJ Championships.
What does it mean to be a finalist in the 2020 Australian DMC DJ Championships?
Feels good to be back on the battle scene. Some of my last battles were 15 years ago at Brixton Academy in London and The Palace in Hollywood. Big crowds back then, a lot of travelling. Now I can do it from home in between work and home schooling, so it's a breeze.
The creative and practical aspects of your championship video set; how’s it all coming together?
Next level; no one's doing what I'm doing.
Describe your championship video set in six words?
Hot sex on a turntable platter.
How many hours/ days have you put aside to practice your routine; and biggest sacrifice you’ve had to make to maintain that focus?
I am in isolation, so there's plenty of time. As for the last 28 years of practice: 13 Australian DMC Championship DJ titles and a World Champion DJ title; well that's a different story.
Who has been the biggest influence re: your own scratching techniques?
Musicians I've worked with; really, I've worked with amazing artists and musicians, toured the world and then some. Learnt a lot of cool stuff, and worked out a lot myself as well.
When you're not home practising your turntable skills, where can we find you DJing when COVID allows it?
Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Prague, Vienna, London, Los Angeles. . . the usual.
Don't get ahead of yourself; from the other finalists, who's your pick to be crowned Australian champion?
Wallzee. He's determined to get back to the international circuit.
You're at a party and someone asks what exactly turntablism is, how do you respond?
*Grabs the mic* "Security to the console!"
To watch J-Red's routine and comment, visit the official DMC page.
The Australian finalists will each upload a new, four-minute set by 15 October (national finals streamed on 18 October), with the national winner announced on 25 October. The global DMC champion will be crowned 30 November.
