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Red Bull’s DJ Battle Thre3style U to ignite student crowd

Photo courtesy of Red Bull.
Photo courtesy of Red Bull.

Photo courtesy of Red Bull.

Don’t expect polka shuffles or line dances at Red Bull’s Thre3style U event tomorrow night.

Expect several thousand music lovers party-rocking through the night to a high-octane, highly anticipated disc jockey face-off.

Red Bull’s Thre3style competition pits multiple esteemed DJs in the spotlight to battle each other while simultaneously igniting the crowd. Whereas traditional DJ competitions may lack established rules and thus flow in freestyle fashion, Red Bull has laid down some requirements for its contestants: each artist must use at least three different music genres in the mix.

Judging, then, does not only entail ability, it includes audience reaction. Last year at the Thre3style competition in Arizona, DJ M2 swept away competition with his vast musical knowledge, his superb turntable techniques and his ability to ignite the venue and create dynamic energy levels.

The victorious M2 will be a judge at this year’s newest event, Thre3style University — Thre3style U — which is tailored to the university level.

DJ M2 began his craft in 1996. He was heavily into hip-hop in high school and became a DJ as a way to express individuality. He began his professional career with radio and has been involved with radio for 11 years now. His accomplishments are many, ranging from his Thre3style title as the best DJ in Arizona last year to his inclusion in Source Magazine’s Power 30 top DJ list in 2010.

The State Press had the opportunity to interview DJ M2 before tomorrow’s exciting event. His passion and expertise not only gives insight into the strategy that occurs behind the scenes of Thre3style U, but it also reveals that DJ culture is a masterful art, with refined talent and plenty of passion.

The State Press: On your bio, it says that you draw inspiration from art, movies and other artistic things. What are some of those like, and how do you draw inspiration from them?

DJ M2: I love watching bios. Quentin Tarantino is one of the huge people that I’m into a lot — people like that. I’ll try to watch a movie and I’ll think “whoa, that’s pretty cool, how did they think of that?” or “how did they do that shot?” and “what’s something I can maybe incorporate into my DJ-ing that I didn’t think of that maybe they thought of?” That’s kind of how my brain moves when I’m coming up with something, practicing or anything like that.

SP: What was it like for you to win Thre3style U last year?

DJ M2: It was one of the high points in my career, definitely. It was just sweet actually winning something like that in your hometown, you know? Giving that hometown love and show and everything. I was born in St. Louis, but we moved here when I was eight, so I was pretty much raised here.

SP: What is the most interesting part of being a judge in the competition this year?

DJ M2: I love seeing fresh talent or somebody I haven’t seen before just doing some amazing stuff. I’ll be like, “wow, that’s really cool — there are other people out here on their game and everything with what they’re doing.” I’m really looking forward to seeing something like that. I’m not going to lie, being a judge is hard and it’s not an easy thing, but I’m looking forward to seeing that talent out here and to see who’s going to bring it. I’m excited to see Arizona DJ culture grow. This is a really big thing for out here, definitely. I think Arizona has always had this breeding ground of really dope DJs, starting from way back in the early 90s up to now. We’ve always managed to have somebody come up in the ranks.

 

According to Red Bull, Thre3style U will uncover the “top party rocking DJ on ASU campus.” The winner will open at Soundwave Music Festival on Sept. 29.

Thre3style U will take place Sept. 27. It will be held at the Rooftop Lounge and Patio on Mill Avenue. It is a 21+ venue. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the show will begin at 11 p.m.

 

Reach the reporter at jconigli@asu.edu


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