The Tribune

By FARAH

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

A LOCAL competition that is seeking the most original Bahamian DJ will name its top three finalist in a few days time.

Burns House Group of Companies, in conjunction with 100 Jamz, launched the Stoli’s “Most Original DJ” competition last month in an effort to showcase some of the most talented acts in the country.

So far the competition has garnered the interest of a number of talented deejays who are all looking to establish themselves and pursue a career in the business.

At some point this week, the top three finalist out of the 10 remaining competitors will be named and later move on to the final segment of the competition.

Over the course of the week, the top 10 have been going head to head with a live mix on 100 Jamz’ “Thunderstorm”.

“We are in the second stage of the competition and right now we have moved from the top 20 and to the top 10. There was some unique characteristic or quality about the demos that those in the top 10 submitted that brought them where they are today,” said Ann-Marie Romer, a brand manager at Burns House.

“We are looking for someone who is original, someone who is unique, someone who has great knowledge of Top 40 music, because as you can imagine, Stoli is an international vodka brand, hence the ‘Most Original DJ’ must be a reflection of the same. In addition to that we are also looking for someone who has great blending, transitions, someone who is charismatic and has a great audience or a great following, so these are all of the elements that we are looking for. Once you combine all of those elements, that there for us is the ‘Most Original DJ’.”

Stoli’s ‘Most Original DJ’ competition was open to all men and women over the age 18 who believe they are the most original and talented. Each of the contestants were required to submit a 15-20 minute demo that includes Bahamian music, hip hop, R&B, pop/Top 40 hits, reggae/culture and soca.

From the submissions, 20 finalists were chosen and had their demos featured on 100 Jamz’ “Thunderstorm”. Thereafter, listeners voted for the their favourite top 10 contestants who have been mixing live on air this week.

“Some of the elements that we graded the top 10 on was interaction with the audience. How we measured this was by the fans who voted for them. Initially, with the demos we just specified that the contestants had to cover six genres because we wanted the ‘Most Original DJ’ to be versatile, someone who has flexibility and knowledge of music which will encompass R&B, soca, Top 40, hip hop, Bahamian culture and reggae. But out of those six genres the key is use and knowledge of Top 40,” Ms Romer said.

The top three finalists will go head-to-head in a battle at Club Luna on September 20. The winner will be crowned “Stoli Most Original DJ 242”.

On Monday night, the Top 10 gathered at 100 Jamz to participate in a live mix on “Thunderstorm”. The contestants were thrilled to have made it this far in the competition.

DJ Kenny said: “I have been doing this for quite a while now. I have been on-off for awhile, but now I getting back into it. I hope that this competition really brings me up and shows the world my talent.”

DJ Digital said: “I entered the competition to get exposure. As a DJ I am always trying to find any and every opportunity that is out there. I hope to move onto a higher level.”

Ms Romer said one of the things that she was most excited about as it relates to the competition was the participation of women deejays. She said out of the four initial entries, three female deejays made the top 10 finalists.

DJ Scruffy, who has been a DJ for a little over seven years, said she is excited to represent for the women.

“I decided to move to Nassau about three years ago to see if I could further my career in music. I started off writing music, then I began rapping, and now I am a deejay and I like that most. I am looking forward to the internship at 100 Jamz because that is major deal; 100 Jamz is the top urban station in the Bahamas,” she said.

DJ Lil Butcha, also a female top 10 finalist, said: “Everyone advised me to enter the competition because they figured I was good enough. I was born into music and I have been doing it for a while now. I know that everyone who entered the competition hopes to win, but I hope to get a lot out of the experience.”