The boy is back where he belongs…
Jean- Marc, well what a comeback. You triumphed in 2007 at Shepherds Bush and four years later waltzed back in to scoop the UK title once again, what made you re-enter DMC this year – after so many years?
“It was a last minute decision. I had always wanted to enter the years before, but didn’t have enough time. Not to say I had time this year, but managed to squeeze it in somehow.”
How was this year’s final different from the last time you were up on stage at DMC? What changes, if any, did you notice from the guys in the Final?
“The overall standerd was slightly better…Richie Rufftone and Just One’s routines were my favourite and all the other competitors were wicked…”
What have you been doing musically wise since you last entered the competition?
“I’ve been making and releasing lot of dubstep, mainly doing remixes for names like FatboySlim, Beardyman, Hadouken, Ed Solo and DJ Deekline. Loads of gigs, video scratching, making simple scratch routines out of big tunes to accommodate scratching more at dance events rather than just scratch showcases. Lots of DJ product videos working a lot with Beardyman…”
Were there any nerves beforehand at the UK Final?
“Of course, it’s really difficult to get into the right frame of mind…luckily I was just happy and did my thing at the time.”
DMC have launched a new competiton this year, the DMC Online Championships – what do you thinkof this new comp – where do you see it going? Is there anything you would change/improve the format?
“I think its wicked! The use of additional midi equipment and experimentation is awesome, the public have always seemed to pick the best top 10 as well…”
Did winning this year feel sweeter than 2007?
“Same really, bit more pressure this year.”
Without doubt, you are one of the few DJs who have been able to move with the times in the art of turntablism technique wise, but you also have no qualms dropping that big bomb. How important is seeing that dancefloor move instead of all those heads just nodding?
“Ha, you can never please everyone, but for the gigs I do mostly wanna get to dance. It’s always good to switch it up and make them head noddy for a bit, but is all about balance.”
What are the big 10 tunes you are spinning right now?
1. ED SOLO & DEEKLINE – GHOST TOWN – JUNGLECAKES
2. FATBOYSLIM VS JFB – PRAISE YOU REMIX – SKINT RECORDS
3. BEARDYMAN – WHERE DOES YOUR MIND GO (JFB REMIX) – SUNDAY BEST
4. CALVERTRON – FUTURE PROOF
5. TROJAN – TURN TO THE EAST (JFB REMIX) – TROJAN RECORDS
6. AFRO WHITEY – RIDN (ED SOLO EDIT) – SLUDGE RECORDS
7. JAYGLO – ROPE CLOSER – DUBPLATE
8. JFB – BLAPP – TYRO RECORDS
9. FATBOY SLIM – RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW (JFB REMIX) – SKINT RECORDS
10. JFB – LICENCE TO WOOBLE – DUBPLATE
You are known for your wide musical selection, Hip Hop, Jungle, Dubstep, Breakbeat – where does your heart lie?
“My favourite music is probably French nursery rhymes with a gabber beat over the top and a grime MC doing out-of-time lyrics.”
Who over the years have you rated as the best turntablists you’ve seen?
“Raffia,Qbert, Vajra and DJ Switch.”
Thoughts on the World Finals in October at Indigo2, who are you fearing?
“Vajra and Unkut.”
What are the 10 biggest Hip Hop Tunes ever!?
1. TRIBE CALLED QUEST – CAN I KICK IT
2. BIGGI SMALLS – SKYS THE LIMIT
3. GRANDMASTER FLASH AND THE FURIOUS FIVE – THE MESSAGE
4. J LIVE – SATISFIED
5. WU-TANG-CLAN – CREAM
6. WARREN G & SNOOP DOG- REGULATE
7. PHAROAHE MONCHE – SIMON SAYS
8. PABLO – THE STORY OF SAMPLING
9. KRS-ONE – SOUND OF THE POLICE
10.JURASSIC FIVE – CONCRETE STREETS
Have you ever fucked up during a compettion?
“Yeah in the 2008 UK Final. The event organisers got the wrong judges – haha! Nah my routine was messy cause I was trying to push my skill levels, the custom records I got pressed sounded crap and my needles jumped loads and DJ Skully did a really sick routine…”
When can we catch we next one of your legendary Battlejam events with Beardyman?
“We’ve turned it into TV, which is under development.”
Is there anyone from your night’s DJ wise we should be looking out for in the future?
“Ed Solo, A Skillz and DJ Deekline.”
If you had to pick one set of complete genius from a DMC Champion over the year’s, who’s would you pick?
“One of the C2C sets.”
