Who’s the most versatile DJ in Canada? On Friday, March 13^th, 10 DJs took their best shot at claiming that title at the Redbull 3Style DJ Competition. The event was headlined by the guy who’s worn that belt for years now: A-Trak. In front of a sold out crowd, these guys took to the stage and jammed in as many bangers as possible in a 15 minute set. Each DJ prepped himself for a full-out battle royale as they were eager to give it their best shot.

Arriving in time to catch Halifax’s DJ Cosmo, it was clear that this boy had done his homework.  His cuts were tight, song selection was on point, and provided mash-ups that would make Girl Talk take notice. The guy was amazing and he capped off his set donning a ski mask and dropping an “Ante Up/Simon Says” blend that people went crazy over. Giving him the crown at the end of the night appeared to be a no-brainer. 

Friday also marked date numero three on A-Trak’s North American tour, promoting his new album, Infinity+1. If you follow Trizzy on Twitter, he recently mentioned that he finally had some time to practice and work on some new tricks for his upcoming tour, so the anticipation was exceptionally high for fans of the Montreal native.

After sets by DJ Fin-S and Slipmat, the attention was drawn to centre stage, as Trizzy’s signature beard and bowler cap were seen setting up behind the decks.  There was no build-up needed as he hit the ground running.  Dabbling with blog house hits from Crookers, MSTRKRFT and, of course, his own remixes (his version of Boys Noize’s “Oh!” got a very enthusiastic reaction from the crowd), it was obvious that the practice had been worth it.  His juggling skills were sharper than ever as seen when he cut up Fake Blood’s “Blood Splashing” (something to note: he never needs his headphones, they’re just for show).  His ability to mix in unique battling skills with some choice electro cuts is unmatched. Every scratch brought a louder reaction from the concertgoers, and the occasional “come on, let me hear it” wave of his arms brought a roar that every DJ craves: the approval from everyone in the house. 

Written by Sebastian Galvez

Photos by Damian Simev and the Baker-Cam.