It’s that time of year again, the DMC UK Final is upon us and last year’s addition of new technologies such as event sponsor Serato brings yet another dimension to the event. This year’s UK final is being held at The Relentless Garage in Highbury and the winner will be representing the UK at the DMC World Championships this September.

The night kicks off with the Battle for Supremacy, four DJs have already been whittled down to compete from the thousands of online entries. The DJs are paired off and each battles each other in three rounds, 90 seconds for the first two rounds and 60 for the last. These battles are highlighting the true showmanship of the DJs and the knowledgeable crowd loves every cut and drop. The winners went on to compete in a final head to head. After a heavyweight battle Richie Ruftone was crown Supremacy winner followed closely by runner up Deceptakut.

Breaking up the battling The Four Owls brought their vigorous live show to the packed venue. A crew with personifying the true essence of real hip hop, it’s hard to think of a British assemblage more suited to this authentic event. The ornithologically masked MCs played four much loved tracks from their much loved debut album ‘Nature’s Greatest Mystery’. Starting their set with album opener ‘Lights Off’ and finished off with ‘Not Like Before’ which is as much of a testament to Leaf Dog’s production skills as an excellently executed homage to their individual journeys from hazy teenage hip hop fans to fully fledged artists.

The event we had all been waiting for is imminent as the first DJ finishes setting up the crowd begins to scurry from the back bar to the front of the venue. Each DJ has six minutes allotted to mix, cut and scratch their way to glory. The inclusion of new technologies has allowed for an even more creative and inventive event. The crowd shares their opinion with scores of cheers as the DJs display particularly slick skills. Splicing their sets with witty samples and some even pulling out props to entertain I don’t envy the tough task of the judges.

While the judges compiled their results two of the world’s finest prepared for battle representing the UK is three times Supremacy winner DJ Switch with French opposition and current title holder DJ Nelson.  With contenders of this high caliber the tit for tat, tongue in cheek Battle of the Titans is so close. After three rounds with winner ahead by millimetres rather than miles DJ Nelson is crowd once again.

Running a little behind schedule Inja launching copies of his new album into the crowd before jumping into his own shortened set. But after a night of listening to this witty host ad lib his way through the battles it doesn’t take a musical genius to realise this charismatic MC is well worth a listen.

While quickly regaining his breath after his energetic performance Inja once again thanks the DMC sponsors Rane and Serato. The venue is throbbing with anticipation it’s time to announce the winners. This year was tight first and second place both won the same amount of point and just scrapes the top spot be being placed first by more individual judges. What a contest!

In third place, Asian Hawk, in second place, Furious P, and, not content with winning the battle for UK supremacy, in first place comes Ritchie Ruftone.

For a full break down of how the battles and points played out please look here.

Words: Whisky Kicks

Related Links:

• Ritchie Ruftone Interview
• Dead Beat Society Production Battle
• Win A Novation Dicer
• DMC UK DJ Final 2010
• Review: Red Bull EmSee

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