As small masses of people began to line up at Brooklyn Steele, the afternoon’s hazy sky began to bring the thick air of hand-to-hand combat. The air was cooler then usual, but not because of its illustrious guests. A fresh new DJ and Producer Battle thrown by none other then Mr. Fool’s Gold himself, A-trak. The Goldie Awards had flown in 8 DJs and 8 producers from all over the globe to participate in a musical duel to the death. It’s judges were not only legends in the music game but innovators of progression in terms of music culture. I couldn’t help but think how a dub got me middle row seats (it was packed and I had no weed but there was a bar so you know where my crumpled cash was going) to what was about to be one of the best battles I have ever witnessed.
Being a hip hop fan, battles were the best way to see the competitive side of hip hop. The beefs, the disses, the come ups and defeats. It was all part of the culture. Its what progressed it in skill and style because originality always ruled king. Tonight was no different. That fight to the death feel made the air seem dense. Battles have been known to end careers but also birth greats into the world of unlimited creativity. As the crowds began to fill the Steele Arena, DJs from all over began discussing who their money was on. My two picks for the DJ category was Miles Medina and K-swizz. Miles submission for the Goldie Awards was very memorable like great hooks that drake wish he wrote. K-swizz was a 14 year old kid from New Zealand that was making every older dj pay him tribute. These were just my measly opinions. Didn’t really mean much because as everyone knows anything could happen. I mean we do have a certain…. nevermind I won’t even acknowledge him. Anyways its all biased and the only people who held true weight in tonight’s game of fader chopped were the judges.
Diplo flew in on a mad decent helicopter. 3peat DMC Champion and Slow Roasting put your 2 cents up Craze. Cash Money Captain in Gators Boots and Gucci Suits Mannie Fresh. Making Songs Cry and Touch the Sky High Just Blaze. Paying attention yet? Not sure because Amsterdam’s DJ Chuckie, AZ’s Mija, and SF’s Whooligan were also a part of the finals soulection process. These judges were literally leaders of their industries in terms of genres and sounds. Never had a panel of this caliber of creators has ever been put together for a DJ/Producer battle. There were other battles, but judges were always predominantly all DJs or all producers. Instead A-traks idea was to have DJs and Producers judge both Beat and DJ competitions. Now why or how does that make any sense? In the realm of all post sample machines turn tech music producers make the songs that DJs want to play. Producer makes hot tracks, gets booked to play shows. Now producer is labeled DJ. Now you can theorize on your own why there is so much beef for the title “DJ”. Don’t worry A-trak was educating the whole crowd the whole time while Desus Nice made funny smart alec remarks but still gave the culture its respected props.
As the battle started the crowd seemed to grow in energy through each performance. Some were crazy. Others were brazy. People were doing things that even some of the judges could not believe they were seeing. Everyone had their favorite for the night but Kings were crowned and dreams were made. Miles Medina a San Francisco native won the DJ battle and a slot at Fools Gold Day Off while Holly from Portugal won the Beat Battle and a track released on Fools Gold. As winners were announced as usual the crowd erupted in cheering with a side of salt. This is normal in battles. It was post game coverage but for the technical rhythmically in tune. Everyone has opinions but The Goldie Awards had set a new standard of judging by using multiple ranges and perspectives. Having this many views on creative challenges ensured the winners chosen deserved it. Being able to witness this progression in culture work out while your hosts A-trak, Dave East and Desus provide side commentary was a night for the history books.
While the crowd spilled out into the cool fall night, plans for the afterparty were being made. After liquid dieting on vodka tonic the whole night it was time for me to find food (which I never found) and link up with some new and old faces. I was reminded about how battles felt watching on video (washed reference). Crowds were super responsive and sets were almost too memorable. I been to a few battles recently and they did not feel at all like how it looked on tv in 1999 (another washer). This battle had that energy. That fire. I mean come on you had a young #8 kobe Bryant going against the new (old) #24 Kobe Bryant being judged by 3peat Michael Jordan. With that in mind that’s how A-trak changed the face of battles in Hip Hop. Being able to find the perfect mix of technique and skill while still not going too far over crowds head is something being explored in the DJ world now. His ability to recognize a complex problem in a openly creative world is where the genius behind this event lays. Which is why I am already going to be there next year to see who claims Best!
Low Pressure 