Think you have what it takes to compete with some of the nation’s best DJs? This Saturday, May 11, Campus DJ will be in Eugene for the first ever national competition exclusively for college DJs.
Evan Shapiro, co-founder of Campus DJ and College Battle of the Bands, noticed that over the past couple years, College Battle of the Bands was receiving an increasing number of college DJ submissions.
“It’s a great event, but it’s not the perfect place for DJs to showcase and compete against live artists,” Shapiro said.
Filling the market need, Campus DJ provides a platform exclusively for college DJs.
Sign up is simple and free. DJs create a profile online and submit a mix of their best music. Whoever has the most online votes gets an automatic bid, and is then evaluated by judges. The top four DJs get a chance to captivate the audience and showcase their best spinning skills. The winners for the East, South, West and Midwest regions are selected by judges and then advance to the finale on June 20 at the historic Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles. In addition to the regional champions, two “wild cards” will get to compete in the finals as well — whichever DJ has the most online votes or the judges’ choice.
The finalists will compete for the grand prize of a 2013 MINI Cooper S Countryman and a touring package with Live Nation. Other prizes and awards are available for regional winners as well.
Competitors are judged on three main criteria: Originality, energy and presence. UO sophomore Alex Sacco, aka DJ Sokko, is competing and thinks he has what it takes.
“As a DJ, you control the mood of the crowd, which is a pretty amazing experience,” he said. What sets him apart, Sokko said, are his unique vocal mash-ups and his ability to mix quickly and cleanly. Sokko sees this opportunity as an invaluable one. “There is a lot of great talent out there that isn’t in the right place at the right time,” he said. “I feel like Campus DJ gives me the chance to be recognized by someone if they like what I do.”
The tour started on March 30 and will continue through May 25 reaching all different regions including Long Beach, New York City, Austin, Chicago and San Jose.
“There’s amazing enthusiasm from college DJs as well as the schools and administration and all the sponsor support coming in, we’re seeing a lot of excitement on all fronts,” Shapiro said.
It’s not too late to enter to compete this Saturday, but act soon because spots are limited.