The boys are back in town…

Needing no introduction to DMC, legendar New York turntablists The X-Ecutioners are back in for the DMC World FInals. Champions in their own right, this incredible DJ collective get set for London town and the DMC Indig02 massive…

Welcome back to the DMC family. We are all looking forward to the Finals this weekend where you are performing. How did you think the UK Finals show went in July?  

Rob Swift:  “The UK Finals were a lot of fun to watch. I was impressed by the level of talent the UK DJs exhibited – and performing at a UK DMC Finals in honour of Roc Raida was an unforgettable feeling.”  

What are you all looking forward to the most at the Finals?

Rob Swift: “I think it’s safe to say we’re all just looking forward to who might be ‘that guy’ to come with a fresh, new, innovative approach to developing a battle set. No matter what we’ve accomplished as The X-ecutioners, we remain fans of the battle world. We’ll never turn our backs on it. So therefore, I’m sure all of us are waiting to be inspired by the younger generation of competitors.”

Rob, you decided to become a DJ due largely to the fact that your father and brother were also DJs – what sort of careers did they have – and how much do you owe your dad?

“To my Dad and older brother, DJing was more of a hobby. Thus, they didn’t pursue all of the opportunities that I did because I took it much more seriously. They were happy DJing for there friends and family whereas I actually focused my energy on building a career from my passion for DJing. That being said, I owe my Dad and my brother so much. There influence is what ignited the desire inside me to express myself through turntables. If I didn’t have them as examples when I was young, I wouldn’t be here answering these questions today.”

Rob, you graduated with a psychology degree. Two questions; if you hadn’t have become a DJ/producer – what do you think you would have ended up doing? And secondly, did music ever come up in relation to anything you were studying?

“If I hadn’t become a DJ/producer, I’d definitely be a psychotherapist. I apply what I learned while majoring in Psychology during my college years to practically everything that I do as a DJ.  From self motivation, to understanding how to work in groups!  You’d be surprised just how much Psychology and DJing are inter-related.”

September saw the sad anniversary of the loss of Roc Raida after his tragic freak injury– just how much of a loss was his passing to us all? He was good friend to you, how did you first meet and what are your favourite memories of being with him?

Precision: “Damn, words can’t even explain how much he’s missed – I actually met Raida for the first time back in 1997 at a Tableturns event. I showed up there with Rob Swift and up until that point Raida was the only member of the X-Ecutioners I had not met yet. I had only seen him on the 1995 DMC World Finals and the X-Men ‘X-ercise’ videos and heard him a few times on the radio. I’ve been around a lot of celebrities, but I can honestly say meeting Roc Raida was probably the only time I’ve ever been star struck. Whether it being on tour or just hanging out practicing at his crib – there are many good memories that come to mind. But I’d have to say my most favuorite was him actually teaching me the X-men handshake. It was more than just slapping 5, it was a dream come true as that was solidification that I’d become an official member of the X!”

What are the big 10 tunes you are spinning our right now?

1.Waka Flocka Flame – ‘Grove St Party’ 

2. Big Sean – ‘Marvin Gaye and Chardonnay’

3. Jay-Z/Kanye West – ‘Ni**as in Paris’

4. Lil Wayne – Up Up And Away’

5. Big Sean – ‘Dance’ (original version and Dubstep remix)

6. Trina – ‘Hit It Right’ 

7. Vybz Kartel – ‘Bicycle’ 

8. Heartbreak – ‘Blaze Up’

9. Martin Solveig & Dragonette – ‘Hello’

10. LMFAO – ‘Party Rock Anthem’ 

Who do you tip for the World Title in London this weekend, team and solo?

Total Eclipse: “Well, I tip my hat off to all of the competitors that have made it this far to the finals as a person who has been in each and every one of these competitors shoes. Although I do favour some, I am looking forward towards becoming fans of others as well. There is no specific person I’m rooting for unless they are part of the X team. I am there purely as a fan for this year’s DMC competition, which I am truly honoured to be part of as one of the showcases with my team. It feels like there’s no limitations for what to expect. Only to predict that this battle is going to be the best we’ve seen in a long time opening up the opinions to use digital in the team and solo competition. I get goosebumps just thinking about it Dan.”

What is the scariest situation you have ever been in, in a club?

Total Eclipse: “The scariest situation has to be opening when a turntable isn’t responding to my software properly. Speaking for every DJ out there, I don’t want to play at a club when you have to fill in over 2 hours of music using bad turntables. For one, you don’t have total control of your mixing ability to blend back and forth with the control vinyl. My biggest pet peeve ever, but what it actually does, it makes me a much better MC in some cases to where I have to use my vocals to bridge the gaps in and out of transitions which is ok at times when I’m in that zone – but I’d rather not force it by nature!”

Who do you think has been the greatest EVER DMC World Champion?

Precision: “From a technical standpoint, I would say just from being naturally ambidextrous. It gives me a heavy advantage especially on the beat juggling side of things.”

What do you collect other than records?

Precision: “Since I was in high school I’ve found myself collecting rare sneakers and ironically, aside from records, Technics SL-1200/1210 models. My personal favorite is the SL-1200GLD and the EXTREMELY rare 1 of 1 Shepard Fairey ‘Obey The Champ’ SL-1200. Pardon the shameless plug but be sure to check out my Ebay auctions! Lol.”

What is your favourite film of all time?

Precision: It’s hard to choose just one, but I’m gonna go with Back to the Future since its probably the one film I’ve seen the most times.”

What are the biggest changes in turntablism over the last decade in your opinion?

Total Eclipse: “The biggest changes were the conversion of going from analog to digital. This year’s DMC is an eye opening invitation for DJ’s to realize, it does not matter what you use – it’s how you use it. If you suck you suck. I will have my vinyl until my last days on earth. As long as I don’t have to carry them unnecessarily, like loading and unloading at baggage claim while travelling and running the high risk of them getting lost or damaged. So good to have Serato/Rane keeping the evolution of DJing fresh with new ideas for DJs to still have the ability to use turntables to keep pushing the envelope.”

 And finally, what has 2012 got is in store for us all from y’all?

 Precision: “For me, another run towards the DMC World Title!  GRRR!!!!!!!”

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*”DJ Rob Swift:  Live!  The Documented Movement” is available at www.djrobswift.com
*To listen to my online radio show Dope On Plastic:  www.scionav.com/radio/channel14
*”What I Love About Rob Swift”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYoTcoRO9kI