DJs For Life review - Published in Scratch Magazine (US), 2006

This is a review of the DJs For Life conference and event which was held in Birmingham in December 2005, and at which I had the pleasure to be one of the panelists. This review was published in Scratch Magazine in 2006.

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DJs for Life – Birmingham UK, 9 & 10 December 2005

The UK’s biggest DJ culture conference and event was held at the Drum Arts Centre over 2 days in December last year with over 30 legends from the US and UK brought together by the Punch organisation to discuss and showcase everything from its origins to its current multiple facets, its past, present and most importantly, its future.

Seminars and master-classes over both days saw originators & pioneers from both sides of the Atlantic, including Jazzy Jay, Steve Dee, Theodore, Supreme, Swift & Pogo, exchange stories, ideas and insights while newer talent and current leaders, D-Styles, Rob Swift, Quest, Tigerstyle, Woody & 2tall, discussed new directions in scratching, equipment and production. On the last day both old and new school came together for a great discussion on the origins and development of the scratch artform, from Theodore’s accidental discovery to the music being made today by the likes of D-Styles and Rob Swift.

More amazing than this coming together of talent and generations was the overall positive vibe and interaction between the public and the DJs. DJs, and even manufacturers like Vestax, spent time with the audience, talking, showcasing on stalls and showing that the spirit of community that was an integral part of this culture from the start is alive and well. Laughs were had and discoveries made for an audience that was as mixed as the DJs present. From newcomers to established DJs, intrigued parents to young school kids, there was something for everyone.

And on the Friday night, a huge celebration was had at the Air nightclub with one room rocked from wall to wall by the pioneers and legends, while another saw the newer generation of turntablists and scratch musicians showcase an incredible array of styles, music and performances that only helped to amplify what was said and shared during the day. But don’t take my word for it…

Jazzy Jay – “We’re all having a ball. If ya’ll missed it, you sure missed an event”
Steve Dee – “We’re here to learn about what we think we know, from the best, the earliest, the latest and the greatest”
Rob Swift – “Anytime you get living legends together with a lot of the younger talent that’s coming up to talk in front of people, I think it’s really positive”
DJ Quest – “It’s been a pleasure and truly an honour to be a part of this event”
Mr Thing – “It’s put the mojo back into my DJing!”
D-Styles – “I wish there were more events like this to expose people to the DJ culture, and all the different aspects of it”
2tall – “There’s a whole lot of love in here and a lot of honesty, that’s dope!”
DJ Supreme – “We’re all sitting around like a family, sharing good stories, it’s great!”

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written by Laurent