Wednesday, August 10 2016

Red Bull Thre3Style US Finals In Philly

I’ve been on a “secret retreat” (which I’ll tell all of you about when it’s over come tomorrow) which is the reason for the social media blackout but I there’s no way I couldn’t mention this…

Tomorrow night, Thursday August 11th, is the 2016 Red Bull Thre3Style United States National Finals! My friends, this is a big deal. Let me explain…

Thre3Style is at this point pretty much the global equivalent of the Olympic Games. Since it’s start in Western Canada it has grown to such an enormous size and scope in both the amount of people who participate in it as well as what it has actually done for the culture and craft of DJing.

My first involvement with Thre3Style goes back to 2010 and since then I have been involved and watched it blossom and effect so many people from across the globe. From the first World Championships in Paris of 2010, Vancouver in 2011, Chicago in 2012, Toronto in 2013, Baku in 2014, Tokyo in 2015 and finally in Santiago Chile this year for the World Finals, Thre3Style has swept the planet and also has changed the way people both DJ and how they listen to DJing.

The premise is this – each DJ has a 15 minute set in which (mainly) their only two goals are to A: ROCK THE PARTY and B: use at least 3 (or more) different genres of music to do so. Literally the best party-rocking DJ comes out the winner, but since everyone is there to have a good time, everyone come out a winner.

I’ve also not only seen how Thre3Style has changed the game in both the way it can change the career of the competitors. Not only has it pushed some amazing talent to the forefront but it’s created a global community of artists and DJs that are dedicated to to the advancement of the art of DJing.

And this year, thanks to some great hustle from some great people, the US National Finals is being held in Philly.

Philly, one of the most important and instrumental locations on earth in the development of the art of DJing. Philly, a place where the DJ skills and styles were unique and helped forge what modern day DJing and turntablism is. Philly, a place with such a rich history and lineage in the world of DJing that it is universally revered as a special place in the narrative. Philly, a place where legends and champions were bred, from DJ Jazzy Jeff to DJ AM, to DJ Cash Money to DJ Drama, to Josh Wink to Diplo, and countless others that I can name.

I can’t express how happy and proud that I am that the 2016 US Thre3Style Champion will be crowned in Philadelphia.

The US Champion will be joining champions from Argentina, Azerbaijan, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan and Thailand – all competing for the World Title.

Friends, I would LOVE to see you out tomorrow for the 2016 RED BULL THRE3STYLE US NATIONAL FINALS. We’ll be having it at Union Transfer at 1026 Spring Garden Street and doors are at 8PM. Please check the Facebook event link in the comments below, or feel free to holler at me…