Battle of The Beats is KJHK’s annual DJ competition, and we have selected some of the most relevant DJs in the area with the hottest mixes. This intense battle will take place at The Bottleneck on Wednesday, Dec. 4 from 7-11 pm.
Schedule of The Show:
| 7:00 | Show Starts |
| 7:00 – 7:30 | Controlla |
| 7:45 – 8:15 | Tione |
| 8:30 – 9:00 | DJ Savage Habits |
| 9:15 – 9:45 | DJ Casanova |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Kemper10k |
| 10:45 – 11:15 | Young Kush Blower |
| 11:20 | Voting |
Meet our six finalists:
DJ Controlla
Where are you from and how did your music taste develop?
I am originally from Kansas City, KS. My music taste developed drastically growing up. The first artists I ever heard of were people such as Tech N9ne, Benny Benassi, etc. As I got older I discovered new genres and grew to love each one’s individual style, which eventually brought me into the realm of dubstep!
Why did you originally become interested in DJing?
That’s a funny story actually. It all began when I watched the movie called “We Are Your Friends”. I thought the concept of DJing and producing music was so interesting, so I went out to guitar center the following week and bought a starter controller. From there I watched YouTube videos religiously in the process of learning to DJ.
What is the most important aspect of a good DJ performance?
I would have to say the most important aspect of a live dj performance is being able to react and think on your feet. You may have your entire set list planned out, but an array of mishaps could occur and how you react to that is crucial when performing for an audience. Also a dj should always remember to have fun with what they’re doing on stage. A crowd will match the energy you bring.
Where do you draw your inspiration from when developing a mix?
Whenever I’m creating a mix, I draw my inspiration from whatever songs I am listening to at the time. When I construct mixes, I prefer to use newer underground songs that many people have never heard before. It creates a fresh atmosphere for the listeners in my opinion.
Can you give a brief description of your previous DJing experience?
I have been DJing for about five years in the KC and Lawrence areas, so I am still fairly new to this, but I have had the opportunity of playing in clubs in the Power & Light District and an awesome concert venue named “Riot Room” along with popular bars and clubs in Lawrence. I have also been collaborating with friends on a small underground concert called “Love & Bass”. We have had a few performances over the last few months and we are excited to see where things go with this project.
What songs/artists have you been listening to most recently?
Lately, the music I have been listening to has been all over the place, ranging from artists like Gashi, Vince Staples, and Grouplove to Martyr, Boombox Cartel, and Perk Pietrek. You will not go wrong adding a few of their songs to your playlists.
DJ Tione
Where are you from and how did your music taste develop?
I’m from Topeka and my friends and family showed me all the music I know, haha.
Why did you originally become interested in DJing?
I always wanted to DJ since high school. I just never knew how to until I tried.
What is the most important aspect of a good DJ performance?
I think just feeling it while you’re in the act of doing it is the most important thing.
Where do you draw your inspiration from when developing a mix?
I draw inspiration from my friends especially Preston and Kemper. Seeing boiler room sets on YouTube made me wanna try stuff too.
Can you give a brief description of your previous DJing experience?
I’ve DJ’d in Topeka at like house party and jackpot when it was open to start out with then I started doing house parties in Lawrence and club on the regular. I’ve taken a step back from tryna make it my main thing like when I first started making music but I just like doing it and teaching my friends, so I’ve just continued.
What songs/artists have you been listening to most recently?
I’m really into 100 gecs right now. Austin, Kemper, and my friend Riley put me on and it’s honestly all I listen to besides myself.
DJ Savage Habits
Where are you from and how did your music taste develop?
I’m from Indiana but moved to New Mexico and then eventually ended up in Lawrence when I was 12. I got my music taste going to shows and being around rappers.I Use to be a videographer and did music videos for rappers in Lawrence.
Why did you originally become interested in DJing?
I really like DJ’s sets and thought shit ill give it a try. Also just seemed like the best job anybody could have.
What is the most important aspect of a good DJ performance?
Reading your crowd and playing songs that they want, not only the songs you want to hear. Also making a good transition to the next song most of the time.
Where do you draw your inspiration from when developing a mix?
I draw inspiration from going out to clubs, shows watching other DJ’s mix and seeing how they transition, scratch, beat-match and entertain the crowd.
Can you give a brief description of your previous DJing experience?
I started off doing for a christian church camp that was my first gig ever. I was not super prepared and didn’t really know what i was doing. I ended up DJing for rap shows after that then house parties , weddings etc. Eventually I landed a gig at Quinton’s bar playing once a week (super fun and laid back). Now I DJ for a company and I usually DJ 2/3 nights a week at the Hawk or the Cave.
What songs/artists have you been listening to most recently?
I listen to James hype, RL, Grime, and Boombox Cartel as well as a bunch of others. I try and find remixes of rap, rock and every other genre and add them to my sets.
DJ Casanova:
Where are you from and how did your music taste develop?
I was born in Colombia and moved to the Omaha when I was about 3 years old. As far as my music taste goes, I grew up listening to a lot of hip hop and reggaeton (Spanish trap). My older brother listened to a lot of Tech N9ne and the whole strange music group which was really the first hip hop group I latched on to and liked.
Why did you originally become interested in DJing?
I first got into music by learning how to produce and make beats freshman year of college in the dorms. From there I kind of just wanted to expand my skills and learn how to DJ and found that I liked it a lot more than producing.
What is the most important aspect of a good DJ performance?
I think it’s knowing how to read the crowd and giving off good energy. You could be a DJ that is very technical and knows how to mix really well but if you can’t read the crowd then you’re going to lose their interest.
Where do you draw your inspiration from when developing a mix?
My friend recently put me on a DJ named James Hype so I have been getting a lot of inspiration from him lately. I also look up to Diplo, Carnage, and David Guetta.
What songs/artists have you been listening to most recently?
Yeah so I first started Dj-ing at the end of my sophomore year for house parties. After about a year of doing that I got into the bar scene and have been DJ-ing at the Hawk since.
Can you give a brief description of your previous DJing experience?
Tory Lanez, Kanye West, EarthGang, and Bad Bunny are some of the few that I’ve been listening to a lot lately.
DJ Kemper10k
Where are you from and how did your music taste develop?
Topeka. Working in record stores and having knowledgeable friends that I looked up to.
Why did you originally become interested in DJing?
About 3 years ago.
What is the most important aspect of a good DJ performance?
Selection and variety.
Where do you draw your inspiration from when developing a mix?
Larry Levan meets Total Freedom.
Can you give a brief description of your previous DJing experience?
DJing at clubs and venues for the past few years, at least two gigs a month.
What songs/artists have you been listening to most recently?
The new Arthur Russell collection, Iowa Dream is really good.
DJ Young Kush Blower
Where are you from and how did your music taste develop?
WICHITA // MY MUSIC TASTE CAME FROM THE CHURCH
Why did you originally become interested in DJing?
I LIKE HEARING MUSIC
What is the most important aspect of a good DJ performance?
JUMPING UP AND DOWN AND SAYING “I WANT YOU TO GO CRAZY WHEN THIS SH*T DROPS”
Where do you draw your inspiration from when developing a mix?
JESUS
Can you give a brief description of your previous DJing experience?
I MIX AT TAPROOM AND ALONE AT MY HOUSE ALL THE TIME BY MYSELF; PLS COME SEE ME AT THE BOTTLENECK DEC 4, IM SO LONELY
What songs/artists have you been listening to most recently?
BLADEE