The DMC 2012 World Team Champions
Guys, a massive congratulations on a huge title at the weekend. Why do you believe you deserved to win this prestigious DMC title?
“Because the three of us have all been pursuing a DMC world title eversince we started doing competitions. But mainly because we spent the last 5 months working on and finetuning this set, long hours, late nights, lack of sleep.”
Did you think you had won after seeing all of the contenders?
“We realized we executed our routine very cleanly. We were pretty sure we’d made top 3, but it’s not in our genes to just assume.”
Who were you scared of?
“Obviously, Kireek. A few weeks before the championship, they put a post on their Facebook page mentioning something about them teaming up with DMC greats Kentaro and Coma. At the time, we just figured they’d win, and all the other teams would only battle for second place. But when we arrived in London, we were told they weren’t even defending their title.”
How did you celebrate – you were nowhere to be seen as the results were being read out!?
“We were standing in the crowd when they announced us as the winners – we all just rushed the stage screaming. In Jack’s case, very literally. He actually almost scared Q-Bert off the stage, haha! Instant classic footage! After the event, we were kind of lost in London, because we had to get all our gear over to the hotel and by that time is was so late all the pubs had closed. When we got back to Belgium on Saturday, we popped a cheap bottle of bubbles.”
Is there too much or not enough digital tools allowed in the DMC DJ Championships?
“Just enough. We’re not really the type of dj’s to want to bring in keyboards or tons of controllers. We stick to the toys we have now; the Rane Sixty-Two and Novation Dicers. Obviously, digital tools open up a lot of opportunities, but for a dj battle, we feel the turntables are key.”
Out of all the scratch techniques you’ve mastered which technique did you find the most difficult to learn?
“The ones we haven’t mastered yet.”
Now that you’ve gained your DMC world title what’s planned next?
“First of all, we’ll be releasing a proper video clip from our set next month, and from there we’ll try to get more and better gigs. We actually want to move more toward doing shows than plain party sets, a bit like what C2C or Birdy Nam Nam have been doing. Only more The Mixfitz.”
Where else in the world would you like DMC to host the 2013 DJ Championships?
“Apparently, they’ll be in Paris next year, which is of course a great city – and only a few hours by car from where we live. But we wouldn’t mind traveling to the States, Japan, or Brazil, to name but a few.”
What makes you guys different from every other Turntablist on the planet?
“Right now, probably the fact we have shiny gold plated records that say ‘DMC 2012 TEAM WORLD CHAMPIONS’ hanging in our living rooms, the flashy jackets and some nice branded Rane Sixty-Two’s. But in general, hard to say.”
What’s currently playing a lot on your music system at home/in the studio?
“Anything that’s good in hiphop, reggae, soul or funk. At home, we hardly ever listen to the genres we play in clubs. Every song has its own purpose.”
Next year is DMC 30th Anniversary – who would you like to see and perform alongside with on the big stage?
“Wow, it’d be great to be part of a legendary edition with all kinds of former champions and pioneers. This year, we met Craze and Q-Bert, and
it doesn’t get much better than that. But how about The Allies, X-ecutioners, Scratch Perverts and Beat Junkies battling it out for fun?”
You play at a lot of clubs in Belgium right?
“Here in Belgium, we’re definitely more known for our club/festival sets then for our battle resumés. We play out at least once a week and we really enjoy showing party people a good time. We play all round
sets – hiphop/electro/drum&bass/dubstep/reggae/rock/whatever – so I guess we’re already commercial. But we have a definite turntablist edge, so there’s nothing Guetta about us.”
Do you still buy music on Vinyl?
“Yes, although nowhere close to the amount of records we used to buy. But there’s still a lot of good dubstep and drum&bass that’s released on vinyl only. And scratchtools too, obviously.”
When did you guys get together in the first place?
“The Mixfitz were founded in 2008, when coincidence brought us together at a snowboard/dj trip in France. Cross only joined us earlier this year, at first with the single purpose of winning DMC. So mission accomplished. And now it’s ON and POPPIN’!”
What are each others greatest skills?
“Cross is by far the most technical out of the three. He’s the reigning IDA World Champion, so he’s not to be messed with. Jack has a real funky ‘true school turntablism’ feel, and he’s the funniest dude you’ll ever meet. Again, ask Q-Bert. Damented might be more of a beat juggler, although he can hold his own when it comes to cutting. The only issue with him is his age.”
Who is the best ever DMC World Champion?
“Craze. But A-Trak, Rafik, Netik and Kentaro are up there too. And without a doubt, Roc Raida, may he rest in peace.”
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