Vancouver residents whose memories stretch past the summer's Stanley Cup riot will recall that, traditionally, World Class events in the city produce world class partying. Which is why there is a growing buzz about the Red Bull Thre3Style World Finals,
"This will be the second World Finals," explains the man behind the event, Red Bull Canada Marketing Manager Kenny MacIntyre. "Last year's was in Paris. Canada's entrant, Drastik from Ottawa, came third. I remember sitting in the judging room with legends like Jazzy Jeff – the first DJ to play at the Grammys. In the end the DJ from France won."
It's only fitting that BC is hosting these World Finals. Thre3Style (pronounced three-style) is a concept created and developed in the clubs of Vancouver and Kelowna. Traditional competitive DJing is steeped in hip hop culture, pushing the boundaries of turntables as instruments. Thre3Style is something different. Technical virtuosity is still important, but the focus is on the DJs' creativity and their ability to get the crowd bouncing.
"Every competitor gets 15 minutes," continues MacIntyre. "In that time you have to play three different genres of music. The rest is up to you.
"Does the average person who likes to go to a club on the weekend want to hear the turntable as an instrument? Some do, but not all. Thre3Style lets the music breathe a little bit. It's taking other peoples' music, and doing what you do to make it your own. It allows DJs to do the things they wouldn't normally do on a club night and really show their skills."
Domestic championships have been held throughout 2011 in 18 countries as far apart as New Zealand, Brazil, Britain, Norway and Japan. Those 18 champions will be competing in four heats from Tuesday through Friday, before the best of the best meet in battle on Saturday 17th at the Commodore Ballroom. Canada's representative, Vancouver's own DJ Hedspin, will be going head to head with the champions of Argentina, India and Spain on Wednesday 14th at The Venue.
"It's an honour to rep Canada," confirms Hedspin, known to his family members as Hedley Tuscano. "It's a great feeling knowing that I have the support of my city and my country this whole week."
Hedspin became a one-man Team Canada after triumphing at the National Final in Toronto on November 12th. That night saw him beat ten of the best DJs from across the country, picking up a cheque for $2,500 for his efforts.
"I was super nervous," he admits. "Everyone was on point making it a really close competition. I was bummed that I couldn't bring the oversized novelty cheque I won on the plane back to Vancouver."
In addition to the competitive aspect of Thre3Style, every night will see headline sets from some of the world's biggest DJs, not participating in the actual tournament, but drawing dance music and turntable aficionados into Vancouver for arguably the party event of the year.
"I'm looking forward to hanging out with the other DJs from around the world and hearing all of the different musical styles and tastes that they'll be bringing to the table," enthuses Hedspin. "I also can't wait to check out all the headliners for each event, like Pete Rock vs Premier, Peanut Butter Wolf, Team Canada, The Rub and Skratch Bastid."
"Personally, I want to see DJ Nu-Mark do his famous toy set," reveals MacIntyre. "He's the DJ on the Jurassic 5 records. He collected toys from all over the world and has them all hooked up through his mixing deck. We've seen a marriage proposal during a set. We saw someone release a live dove in a club. We've seen turntables set on fire. That's what the week is all about."
Tickets and venue details are available online here.
To previews the music of all the Red Bull Thre3style World Finalists, mixes of them in action can be heard online here.
