Melbourne's Jewlz aka The Jandal Upperkuttah (age 16) is one of ten finalists in the 2020 Australian DMC DJ Championships.
Raised in the west of burn city, representing crews such as Natives With Attitude, Never Forgive Aksion, DayHunnid and LAB.When Jewlz was in primary school he looked turntablism in the eye and was like: "Hey, wanna be in a relationship?".
Jewlz entered his first DJ battle in 2019 – the Australian DMC DJ Championships, and placed second in the Victorian heats. He loves spinning funk, soul, disco, hip hop and the Polynesian classics.
What does it mean to be a finalist in the 2020 Australian DMC DJ Championships?
It's pretty seki.
The creative and practical aspects of your championship video set; how's it all coming together?
We'll just have to wait for the final result.
Describe your championship video set in six words?
Lash go, lash go, lash go.
How many hours/ days have you put aside to practice your routine; and biggest sacrifice you’ve had to make to maintain that focus?
Idk. Biggest sacrifice would be anime.
Who has been the biggest influence re: your own scratching techniques?
The fellas I watch on the YouTube: Dexta, Kico, Precision, Vajra, not Wallzee, Vekked, spl3L – list goes on.
When you're not home practising your turntable skills, where can we find you DJing when COVID allows it?
Counterweight Footscray and if you go to Footscray station, you can find me in platform 9 and 3/4.
Don't get ahead of yourself; from the other finalists, who’s your pick to be crowned Australian champion?
Me 'cause my Mum said I'm going to win.
You're at a party and someone asks what exactly turntablism is, how do you respond?
Unluggy uce, go ask the internet.
To watch Jewlz'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.
