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calliedeepresents · 11 years ago

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2014 Dallas DMC DJ Battle at Green Elephant

If you've known me for too long, you know I LOVE the Djs. There's just something about the movement of their hands on that fader, manipulating old tracks into new music, the scratching, the mixing, the use of effects....ALL OF IT. I LOVE IT!!!! So, when I heard that the 2014 DMC battle of this region would be held in the Big D, I got super extra excited because I KNEW Dallas was going to bring its own talent to the table. We have loads of talented DJs. Then I heard my favorite vinylist, D.J.P., was a guest judge and this was a no brainer. I just HAD to be there!!!

The week before, one of the producers of the event, Joel, asked me to play host to D.J.P. Duh! So I took Friday off and played chauffeur from airport to hotel to venue. One of my of my favorite things about having a DJ in my car? Sharing our love of music! I put on some local stuff (like I always do), ya know, some Grey Matter, a little Beast, mixed with some Hologram Dagger (loved you by the way). I even turned him onto Prof after having a discussion about how boring today's hip hop is, even some of the underground (in his opinion). At one point, I was going to show off Beast's song "Shots," which to ME sounds like SPM. So I start out, "You know who SPM is, right?" to which he replies "No."

Me: South Park Mexicans

D.J.P: Nope. I told you I don't know a lot of the new stuff.

Me: *trying to find an SPM song on my ipod, which wasn't on it* They're not new! Dudes been in jail a while....

So, the intro didn't have the same effect this time, but doesn't change the fact that its a good song. (Someone mail DJP an SPM record, please?)

After I took D.J.P. to dinner, we hung out in the lobby of the hotel with DMC organizers, Christy and Mia, and DJ Swamp. I'm telling you, sometimes you can't judge a book by its cover. Christy is a small in stature woman with her head wrapped in traditional Islamic garb, and her body covered except her hands and feet. If you saw this lady on the street you'd never thing she'd be rubbing elbows with the most talented DJs in the world on the regular. I love surprise packages like that.

The preliminary started, and I knew it was going to be a close call. Each DJ had his own distinct style. I watched the judges reactions, trying to see if ,I could figure out who would go to the next round. I wasn't too far off, I was rooting for DJ Spiderman and DJ Tums who made it.

The first guest judge, D.J.P., took the decks. Watching him perform is poetry in motion, like watching a ballerina float effortlessly across the stage. He's beyond a pro and there is no doubt he was born to spin vinyl. The crowd watched in awe, some dancing, some hooping and hollering. D.J.P. knows how to work a crowd, reminding us that he's only using vinyl as he throws his records to the side of the tables and digs for the next beat. I've been watching videos of him for a while now, and I never grow tired of watching a D.J.P. set.

Next guest judge, DJ Swamp, took the decks. His aura was a huge contrast to D.J.P.'s party rock style. He lit 4 candles around the decks, making it feel almost like an alter to the DJ gods. The music wasn't the only thing amazing in this set. Periodically, DJ Swamp would disappear behind the table, coming up with one record. With slight of hand, it turns to 2 records, then 4. He starts juggling records, spinning them like a top on his finger passing them around the back and over his head. At one point, he brought a record up in a sleeve where you could see the middle circle showing there was a record in there. Another few slight of hands and *POOF* record gone. DJ Swamp is the Chris Angel of DJ's. And then there was fire..... He disappears behind the table again, comes up to start scratching the record all while sparks flew from his hand. He points to the audience and WHOOOSH! Fire explodes from his finger tip into the audience like a flame thrower. At one point, he banged out the beginning of "Smoke on the Water" by picking the stylus up and dropping the needle strategically on the record. WHO DOES THAT?!?! DJ Swamp does, that's who. His performance was super intense and nothing like I've ever seen before. I cannot wait to get him back to Dallas, and I've already warned my teenager, he's going to that show!

I got caught up socializing with a few girlfriends on the back patio that I hadn't seen in a while, so I missed the semi finals. Thanks to Too Fresh Productions and Kutthroat Ent, there were speakers in the back area so I heard it all. Each of the DJs were amazing!!! I love how they make beats inside of beats that switch to a new track with a new set of beats and SOMEHOW it all comes together for nothing less than pure awesomeness. The winner was announced, and it was none other than Dallas and Kutthroat Ent's own DJ Spiderman! Can't wait to see how far he goes in Nationals.

This was my first DMC experience. I've never seen anything like it and I will definitely be making it to a LOT more of these.

For more pictures, check out \/ /\/\ Photography.

Check out my Facebook for videos of the guest judges posted by the lovely Teena Garcia.

For mixes by D.J.P. click here

DJ Swamp here

#2014DallasDMC #D.J.P.#DJSwamp #DJSpiderman #TooFreshProductions #KutthroatEnt

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calliedeepresents · 11 years ago

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Too Fresh Productions Presents: Fresh Rhymes

Every 2nd Thursday Too Fresh Productions Presents a showcase of regional Emcees. This week, I was happy to see Fab Deuce as the featured performer with Hunter the One, Flotation and PS the Rebels as well. I've been trying to find the perfect line up to put the Rebels in, love me some Hunter, I totally think Flotation is a performer who's getting slept on, and Fab Deuce Crew are a new favorite of mine. It's like Joel can read my mind sometimes with these line ups!!

V.H.s. stepped to the mic first, which was a pretty dope female emcee with a male counterpart. She spit most of the lyrics, and the dude mostly did back up. I noticed large "X" marks on her hands, so not only was she a female, but a YOUNG female. Girls got a decent career ahead of her. The beats were borderline EDM, which is all the rage right now. Her lyrics and style a mix of club and street raps. A few ladies were up at the front doing their version of a twerk during V.H.s.'s set. I dug her style, and so did most of the people there judging by their bobbing heads.

I listened to a few of the other acts, but took this time to network a bit. The place was getting packed and I get little bouts of clausterphobia when I can't just BE instead I'm having to move to let this person by and watch out for stepping on that persons shoes....screw it. Smoking section outside it is. I came back in to catch Hunter the One. Always a great performance mixing her songbird voice, spitting some precise lyrics to beats and a Capella. Girl has talent, no doubt.

Next up, PS the Rebels. Each started with an A Capella introduction which got the crowd PUMPED! They did a nice 10 min set over a mixture of different beats. Some were boom bap, some were a little electronic, and one had that African tribal flair to it. I've known Samuill and Pihon for a solid 9 months and have yet to see them perform. I've seen a few well done videos and tracks, glad to know that they can bring it live.

One of my favorite locals, Avery "Flotation", took the mic. Now this guy sent me his album a while back and it took me a minute to listen to it. He was nice enough, though, kindly reminding me when he saw me. So finally, I took a listen and first thought was, "Why did it take me so long?!?" I still look at my iPod sometimes and I'm like "Who is this???" Flotation. Why he's not booked more and why he doesn't have a larger fan base is beyond me. He has fantastic word play, a mesmerizing voice that spits in perfect sync to banging beats with just the right amount of bass. Not to mention, he has a fairly decent stage presence and he's a pretty cool guy. I always enjoy talking to him.

Last but not least, Fab Deuce. Talk about taking over a stage! There's 4 members of the official group with Wild Bill having a song of his own and interjecting here and there. Each member got a chance to shine, and I have to say each one holds their own in talent and skill. I was a little sad for the guys for the fact that most of the people at Crown and Harp had already left, and only us die hard hip hoppers were in attendance. But no worries! I, personally, have them booked for the Gold Tips Album Release party April 12th at Bizheard and I'm sure this won't be the last time I see them at a show in Dallas or Fort Worth.

I got to give it to Joel at Too Fresh. Each month he does a fantastic job of organizing the monthly events. He brings in new talent along with veterans, giving each a chance to build while giving the rest of us a spot to network. I never leave a Thursday at Crown and Harp disappointed and without a few new friends on Facebook. For that, I salute you, Joel!!

#TooFreshProductions #CrownandHarp #FreshRhymes #FabDeuce #Flotation #PStheRebels #HuntertheOne #Vhs

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