DJ Color TV - 2012 WMC DJ-spinoff 3rd Place Champ

Battle Prep:
Any DJ that has competed in the DMC or any other battle will share a similar story of "practice, practice, practice!" For the WMC, you must complete a mix that will sound something like your final 5-minut live mix. And you must submit it months before the competition. Then they get back to you about 3 weeks before the competition, and then its crunch time. That time is spent refining your mix, finding samples, buttoning down the scratches and timing, and doing the set over and over again till its second nature. Once I got to Miami, I even spent the day before the competition at the Scratch DJ Academy to be sure I was on point. Its a stressful few weeks!

At the WMC Battle:
The WMC asked the competitors to get there by 1 to have the competition start at 2pm. But like any live show, it started much later than expected. As this was the first day of the WMC things were moving a bit slow, but thats ok considering they were still waiting for competitors and judges, and setting up the sound.

Dj Sancon and DJ D's, from Japan, showed up there with me. Sancon was 2011's third place champ. He was greeted by some of the other DJs from last year, hoping for him to take it this year. The 2011 1st place winner was there, DJ Kurr, to defend his title.  As more DJs arrived, the place started to get more packed and there was an air of anticipation floating through the air. Finally the host got on the mic to amp people up and the competition was on its way.

"Dj Color TV to the stage" and it was time for me to play. You might think that cause we DJ clubs all the time that this should be easy, but that is not the case. You have a panel of judges right in front of you and everyone in the audience is standing there staring at you waiting for you to knock their socks off. Competing is nerve racking, but I was well practiced, so I was on-point (for the most part).

The other competitors:
I was 5th to go up, but the competition was  already pretty stiff. Not long after I was done, DJ Ease got up and killed it. Then towards the end, DJ Manny also killed it. Some DJs looked really natural up there, others you could tell their nerves got the best of them, but we were all nervous wrecks during our sets. I even spoke with Manny about it afterwards, he looked really comfortable, but he too was super nervous.

Overall:
The 5-minute DJ Spin-off was a good competition. The hosts were very good. The judges were fair and also very talented DJs.  All of the competitors that came out worked hard. It takes a lot of guts to compete. I must say, this is the most work I have ever put into a mix. That 5-minutes has to be so action packed its hard to boil-down what will really work and what wont. So, come watch the competitions. If you DJ, come and compete! Its so much fun and the WMC's DJ Spin-off is a great place to compete at. Peace to all the DJs!

DJ Manny WMC 2012 SpinOff Champion

Below is DJ Ease, but this is for the 2 minute Scratch competition, not the 5 minute battle.
2012 WMC Spin-Off 2nd Place - DJ EASE

What is worth the money?
When you go to a place like South Beach, Miami, you know you are going to spend some change. If you are there for the Winter Music Festival/Spring Break/Ultra Fest then you are there to party! But you go to one of these clubs and the drinks are massivly overpriced, on average $20. Ill get into how to save there, but i dont suggest spending loot on that. Save your money for the entrance fees to these places.

Depending on the party, headliner, club, and time in the week, the price of the party will very. Later in the week or a bigger headliner will command a higher entrance fee. Entrance fee can be as low as $10 and can be upwards to $125 for one night. So put your money to the entrance fees, but pick the days wisely. You will get a more intimate and cheaper show earlier in the week for the same big name headliner. Later in the week equals more crowds and more pricey entrance for sure.

You should also plan on dropping some money on at least a few good dinners while you are in South Beach. But don't over due it, there is plenty of cheaper places that are good. But once again, if you are there for the parties, then save your money for the partys. Some nights you will be going to 2 to 4 different shows a night, and it adds up quickly.

What to save money on! (or what not to spend on)
First, Transportation: I must say, try to avoid cabs! Do not use them around south beach (unless you are with 3-4 people or with a dressed up girl). The traffic is so thick there, it'll cost you a lot even if you are only going a mile or two. However, if you are going downtown, get a cab. But if you stay in South Beach for the night, just get a city bike or walk. The city bikes are called "Deco Bikes" and are all around the area, there is even an app that will help you locate them. You can get anywhere in South Beach (between 45th st to 1st st) in about 30 minutes. Its $4 for 30 mins and $5 for an hour. You get the bike from the Deco Bike rack (they are all over the city) and then you lock it up at another Deco Bike rack at the location you are going.  Do not rent a bike from the store because its very likely that it will get stolen, and that will be very costly. You can ride the bikes on the Beach Promenade where there is only foot traffic and its next to the beautiful beach! Its the only way to go!

Another place to save a lot of money is on your accommodations.
There are a handful of hostels in South Beach ranging from around $45 a night to $100 a night, depending on the location and time you are booking. Hotels range near $300 or more a night, so those should be avoided. Most Hostels have private rooms that are just like hotels with bathrooms, TV and a mini fridge. If you are there to Party, then definitely stay in the Miami Beach Hostel. Its cheap and its extremely social. You will meet amazing like-minded people from around the world. Miami Beach Hostel also have special deals/reduced admission to many of the good partys around Miami, and to top it off they will pick you up in a Party Bus to take you to the party, free of charge, yet another way to save (the party bus rocks!).

If hostels are not your bag of chips, you can check Aribnb.com to find people's houses and apartments to rent on the cheap too. Most of these are a few streets back from the strip, but the places are clean, quiet and for the most part, all yours. You could definitely have some good pre-game parties before going out. The trick to these places is to book as early as possible to get the best price and the best location.

Food!
You can do food in South Beach for fairly cheap. Go to 7-11 or a small grocer and get yourself breakfast and snacks for the day. Also, depending on where you stay, scope out some of the smaller restaurants and sandwich shops to eat at. Once again, you are there to party, so keep your fuel/food level up, but no need to break the bank on every meal. If you really want to save on food, the Miami Beach Hostel has free breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I must say, the food is pretty good, especially for being free.

Drinks! (of the alcoholic nature).
The secret to not breaking the bank on these in South Beach is to pre-game, pre-game, pre-game, and prep for the party. Like mentioned earlier, the drinks in these clubs are upwards to $20 or $25 per mix-drink. Not cheap! So, get your drink-on at home/the hostel and once you get to the party you may only need one more drink to carry you through the night. Another great trick is to sneak in small bottles of Vodca, or whatever you like. They rarely frisk you so you can put it in your belt, and if your girl has a purse, put the bottles the bottom. You will likely need to buy one drink so that you can pour your bottle into it later, but thats a small price to pay, considering.

To wrap-up:
I am sure there are plenty other ways to spend and save, but if you came to party-rock, then these are some great tips. Please share your ideas on what to spend on and how to save below. Till then, we party rock!

Keep your eyes peeled for in the next few days here on NYCelectro.com for a complete wrap-up. We will be talking about Miami, The WMC and the DJ battles it hosted, The Parties and Night Life, Ultra Fest, and Money in Miami.  Way too much for one article. So buckle up, its going to be an amazing/exhausting ride.

On question number 10, he said something that I have been saying for years now: "Virtually anybody can say they are a DJ but what you do and how you do it is the difference between you saying, 'I’m a DJ' to people saying, 'That’s my favorite DJ.' "

That all said, he got nominated for a 2012 grammy, and for any DJ that is a HUGE deal! So read on, watch the videos and look ahead! This is not he last time Clinton Sparks will be heard from, its just the beginning. More info and the videos after the jump:

Disco Fries ft. Clinton Sparks - Killer (Official Video)

From: http://www.rap-up.com/2012/02/09/hey-mr-dj-10-questions-for-clinton-sparks/

Clinton Sparks is the definition of a workaholic. He has 10-plus projects staring him in the face at the moment and he strives to obtain about 10 more. Some of the endeavors have already hit the airwaves, like the remix he created for Lady Gaga’s “Bloody Mary,” of which the original has scored him a 2012 Grammy nomination. For a Boston boy who had his head buried in turntables and production equipment on the come-up, the nod is a dream come true. However, it’s an accomplishment earned due to his tireless work ethic.

But just because he’s constantly behind the boards doesn’t mean he’s a bore. “I have become the life of the party,” Sparks tells Rap-Up.com. Besides mixing records in the clubs, on his syndicated SmashTime Radio show, and playing some of his latest mixtape cuts on SiriusXM’s Shade 45, the DJ interviews Hollywood’s biggest stars and the music industry’s chart-topping talents as an E! correspondent. He uses his charm and comedic personality to deliver exclusive information to the masses. With over 14 years in the business, getting down to the nitty-gritty is second nature.
Looking at Sparks’ résumé proves his skill in crafting substantial tracks. Plies, T-Pain, Bun B, the Notorious B.I.G., Beyoncé, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, and Akon are just a few of the names he’s produced and written records for. Yes, Clinton Sparks is a songwriter too.

Read on as the Interscope Records signee—he has an official album due this year—gives insight into the hectic life he leads, explains why he’s connected to a disco ball, and reveals the next track he’s dropping with Pitbull.
1. How long have you been a DJ?
Ten years.

2. What are you currently working on?
I am always working on multiple things simultaneously, so today I am working on music for everyone’s album from Usher to Enrique [Iglesias] to Mike Posner. Additionally, I am working on my album with awesome pals like Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, DJ R3hab, [and] DJ Snake, and I am preparing to release my first single titled “Watch You” featuring Pitbull (Get Familiar/Mass Appeal/Strictly Rhythm). I am also going to release My Awesome Mixtape 2 and consistently put out remixes and bootlegs. I’ll also release my own music; I have a new song produced by Jim Jonsin on My Awesome Mixtape 2 titled “The Life of the Party.” I just finished editing the video to my band UGHmerica’s second single “Outta Town.” We’ll release that with the song next month and I just posted a remix to the song that got me my 2012 Grammy nomination—Lady Gaga’s “Bloody Mary”—which can be downloaded free, along with all my other songs and mixes, at clintonsparks.com.

3. How did you get your first big break?
I don’t think I ever had one big break. It’s been a culmination of many little victories—from becoming a host on E! News, to being Diddy’s tour DJ, to my syndicated my radio show, to writing and producing some platinum records, to becoming a resident DJ in Las Vegas, to being able to work with some huge names in the business, to being recognized as a top DJ by Rolling Stone, to endorsement deals with Pepsi [and] Ciroc, to creating and owning Mixunit.com, which was the biggest mixtape culture website that I am no longer apart of. The list goes on. I have been very fortunate to consistently be a part of some amazing things. Life is awesome!

4. Moment when you knew you had made it?
I don’t think that I have “made it.” I’m not naïve to know other people may think I have achieved great success, but I have really high standards and I am a workaholic [and] overachiever so when, for example, I’m told that I am nominated for a Grammy, my next thought is, “Great! What do I got to do next?” I never really relish in accomplishment. I am always nervous it will all go away tomorrow, so I keep my head down and stay working. I’m probably going to be one of those guys that work until I die. The great thing about my work is that it’s what I would be doing for fun.

5. Favorite artists right now?
I don’t have one favorite artist out right now. I think there’s so much talent out and not technically “out” but [instead] on the Internet or underground. I love that artistry has demolished the rules and guidelines of what an artist traditionally has to be in the eyes of record labels. Artists are writing, producing, singing, rapping, shooting their videos, editing them, [and] taking pics. They are self-sufficient and they pull from all types of music. A kids’ iPod doesn’t just have one genre of music any longer and that is indicative of what these new artists, including myself, reflect—a melting pot of everything we grew up on. A hybrid artist with no category.

6. Artists to look out for in 2012?
Clinton Sparks, Sammy Adams, UGHmerica, and Disco Fries.

7. What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?
Convincing people to believe in my vision and ideas. It was difficult to just get out of Boston and convince people there and outside of what I had in my head. I just consistently kept putting music out and didn’t understand the word “no” or realized that obstacles even existed. Therefore, once I set a goal, it was accomplished, every time. I could tell 100 stories of triumph by not letting hate or doubt get in my way but that’s an interview in itself.

8. Future goals?
I want to make people happy and create music that people can use and not just listen to. I’m working on my album and crafting music that not only people can relate to but feel something emotionally as well. I love to write about scenarios that we all go through and can relate to. A lot of my writing for this album has been speaking to people who love, whether it’s life, others, partying, or yourself. I am threaded in the party life. It has become a massive part of my life. I’m connected to the disco ball and chain.

9. What record always gets the party started?
Whatever record I decide to play. It’s not about the song, it’s about how you play it, set it up, and use it. Of course for certain crowds, there are go-to, no-brainer records that will get an immediate reaction. I like records that have energy and drive. Records that even if you never heard it, it evokes an emotion that makes you want to rage.

10. What’s your advice to aspiring DJs?
It’s very important to establish who you are, your style, taste, [and] personality to get a fan base to like you for you and to stand out. Virtually anybody can say they are a DJ but what you do and how you do it is the difference between you saying, “I’m a DJ” to people saying, “That’s my favorite DJ.” It’s also important to produce music as well. Be the first “you” and not the second “somebody else” and you will, for certain, find people that do not like you, but more importantly, ones that love you.
To find out more about Clinton Sparks, visit his website and follow him on Twitter @ClintonSparks.

Projection Mapping Onto Turntables

Here is a link to the guy's vimeo page.

First off, check out this guy's newest project over on Kickstarter. Donate to get it started! Secondly, if you want to see the first post on NYCelectro.com about this, its right here. Now, lets watch the show. Parts 1 - 4 in order:

Part 1 - The Song Remains The Same

Part 2 - Remix Inc.

Part 3 - The Elements of Creativity

Part 4 - System Failure

So now, I through this to you. What are your thoughts on all this. Do you think about these things when you are creating, remixing, or sampling? I personally dont worry about the copyright laws while creating, only if something were to get super famous.

Mini-documentary on 'sampling' circa 1988

As DJs, do these laws apply to us? Not really, but when we make a remix and it becomes a big hit, then you will probably have that conversation with the artist's label. It will likely come in the form of a pretty little cease and desist letter. We all saw DJ Dangermouse's "Grey Album" get skyrocketed to the spotlight when EMI (the Beatles' copyright holder) attempted to cease distribution of the album, back in 2004, even though Jay-Z and Paul McCartney were fine with the album.

Dangermouse is now a well known producer and is half of the hit group Gnarls Barkley. So, DJ's and aspiring producers, whats the lesson here? In my mind, its clear. You are free to create without limiting yourself. Sometimes Johnny-Law might come-a-knocking, but if your music/remix/mashup is that great, you will gain the attention of the world, therefore making it worth the hassle. (But Im no layer, just a DJ that makes remixes.)

Video was found on Gizmodo

First
With Cowell on board along with Sony, Sycro, and Overbrook Entertainment, and being owend by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith, this will be the real deal, these are all heavy hitters. The show "will capture the incredible rise of the DJ phenomena", the companies said in a statement. Cowell said "DJs are the new rock stars, it feels like the right time to make this show." I agree, DJs have topped the charts all year in 2011, just read my Top 10 Tracks of 2011 article, you will see Avicii, Swedish House Mafia, Calvin Harris, and David Guetta topping the list. And, if you go to their shows, it is likely at a huge venue, likely sold out, and likely with some sort of pre-planned light show with dancers, smoke, and other visual stimuli. Will these things be worked into the show? Well, lets take a loog at the possible format and keep speculating.
If you want to see the official announcement, check it out on IMDB.
Also, check this post to hear Deadmau5's opinion on the subject. Its pretty great. Maybe he will judge or be a celebrity the contestants will work with?? Could be...

What will the Format be like? 
A quick disclaimer, these are just speculations and just my take on what the show could be. Will it be different from Cowell's past tallent shows, American Idol and X-Factor? This show will probably stick to a similar format with three or so judges sitting in some sort of panel and getting to make their snarky comments (TV viewers eat it up). But will that work for DJing? Im thinking the judges will need to sit to the side and let the DJ play to the crowd. I know it will probably not work without the DJ engaging the crowd. How can you judge a set when the DJ is not vibing off the crowd?

The two biggest/best DJ competitions currently are the Red Bull 3Style and the DMC. Both are very different competitions but have a similar format. 3Style is 15 minuts and you need to rock the crowd with three different genres of music. The DMC is more of a scratch/battle competition. Both have their ups and downs, but both use a round robin to single elimination format to get their winners, and the judging is clear(ish). Will the show take the same approach? Im sure the Judges will be quality, im betting Jazzy Jeff will be one of them.

What will they be Judging?
What will Cowell and friends be looking for to find the best DJ? DJing skill, beat matching/scratching is an obvious one but the mark of a truly great DJ is harder to put your finger on. In my mind, it takes 3 main things: what DJ can move the crowd the best, how well the DJ engages his audience, and of course how skillful your sets are put together. Scratching and tricks should be integrated but only to enhance the set, not to shine.

Will they take more of a music production spin on this? Perhaps they will assign a group of people the same track and have them make a remix? Todays biggest DJs are big cause they make their won tracks. I will bet that there will be celebrity chalenges where the DJ will work with some huge artist, and those challenges will be judged. Perhaps there will be a song list and the DJ will need to put them all together to make an exciting mix-tape.

How will they find the DJs? 
According to Pickett-Smith "This show will comb the world to find a new breed of talent." So, this will be a worldwide competition. Its very exciting! The DJs coming from the Netherlands, Sweden, the UK, and even America are all doing very exciting things and they are doing it very differently. That being said, its not clear how to sign-up yet. Maybe they will make the DJs wait hours in line, like American Idol. How terrible would that suck to wait in line with all your gear on your back for hours, haha. I doubt that will be the cace. DJs dont do lines. We will keep an eye on this, here at NYCelectro.com to find out how to participate, so be sure to keep reading.

Finally
I think that this show can be a real hit and also springboard DJing into the spotlight. Maybe some club owners will watch and finally appreciate how hard a DJ actually works (probably not though). This competition will be about tallent and passion, and even though we know little about right now, tallent and passion will resonate with audiences and ultimately win the competition. Im picking Pauly D for the win!

When considering what tracks this year really made the club jump, its tough to pick just 10. But the beauty is there are only bangers on this list. This list is comprised of songs that we at NYCelectro.com personally love to play and tracks that murder every dancehall in the world, from London to Ibiza, as the Swedish House Mafia put it in 2010. These tracks kill!

# 10

"Pressure" - Nadia Ali (also Starkillers & Alex Kenji)
Though this song has not topped the charts across the globe, it is however a track widely played  across the globe. This is one of the longes playing songs on this list as it came out in February. The only older track is "Party Rock Anthem", that came out in January of this year. "Pressure" is one of those classic dance anthems who's lyrics dont get in the way of the amazing chorus. Not too cold, not too hot, just right to light-up dance floor.

# 9

"Collide" - Leona Lewis  using "Fade Into Darkness" by Avicii
Leona Lewis's "Collide" features the instrumental from Avicii's "Fade Into Darkness" and even though Avicii claims she had "stollen" the song from him, "Collide" has become an amazing club anthem. It reached top 10 in chart positions in a few countries and hit number 1 on Billboards Hot Dance Club Songs chart. The video that supports this song is just as sexy and emotional as the track and underscores the greatness of this chart topper.

# 8

"Loca People" - Sak Noel
Otherwise know by party goes as "What the Fuck" or "All Day, All Night", this song's female talking about the party scene in Spain is definitely fun and interesting. It was released in the US a few months before it hit the UK, but it debuted at number 1 on the UK Singles. It has since has topped the charts everywhere else. No surprise, i guess, that Pitbull also has made a remix of this song called "Crazy people", though its not nearly as popular as the original.

# 7

"Give Me Everything" - Pitbull featuring NeYo, Afrojack and Nayer
The king of the crossover, Pitbull was able to capture dance, reggaeton, R&B, and Hip-hop all in one track. On paper, you may think that it would be bad, but this song proves that it can be done well. And the proof is in the charts, as this is his first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK charts. Naturally, its become a world-wide sensation. This can be played with confidence in Thailand, Japan, the Netherlands, and anywhere basically. The sliding melody and driving beat will magically get your body up and moving on the dance floor. If you drop this tonight and people dont jump, I will give you your money back!

# 6

"You Make Me Feel" - Cobra Starship ft. Sabi
In the US this song saw its top at number 4 on the Billboard Pop Songs chart and has been in the number one and top ten positions across the globe. This is a great feel-good track as the title and lyrics suggest. And it will warm up any dance floor. This track has so many remixes and has been played across the world. It has the lasting ability that a great pop/dance track should. The na-na-na hook is undeniable.

# 5

"Save The World" - Sweedish House Mafia
Nominated for Best Dance Recording on the 54th Grammys, this song has captured the attention listeners everywhere. It premered at number one on BBC Radio then began gaining in popularity across the world. Crowds everywhere sing-along and get down to this extremely catchy and dancy tune.

# 4

"Without You" - David Guetta featuring Usher
This feel-good anthem topped the charts at number 4 on Billboards Hot 100, being David Guetta's most popular single to date. It plays well on any dance floor and possesses this undeniable sexy dance vibe that sets the mood for the entire club no matter where you are in the world, as the video shows. The video is shot on the beach of Portugal and shows different parties from around the world that end up uniting the entire world's land masses with music.

# 3

"Party Rock Anthem" - LMFAO
If you dont know every lyric to this song by now, you have been living under a rock. This track has taken pop culture by storm, appearing car commercials, TV show, video games, baseball games, football games, Movies. You name it, its been there. That is due the the fact that the song is simple and clear about its message to Party Rock! It was on Billboards Hot 100 for 5 weeks and stayed in the top 10 for over 25 weeks. Its only the 7th song in Billboards history last that long. The video for this song also accentuates the catchiness of it, as you hear the song you become transformed into a shuffling maniac. Its captures the song's infectious party vibe perfectly.

# 2

"We Found Love" - Rihanna and Calvin Harris
Reaching Billboards Hot 100 at number 1 just 6 weeks, this song was destined for greatness. It peaked at number 1 across Europe and Asia. This song held at the number one position for over 8 weeks, making it her longest running hit yet. It was tough not putting this song as number one on this list. The video is absolutely amazing too, visceral and surreal. I can say from first hand experience that this pumps the up crowd so much, it gives you chills. The entire audience is united when the beat drops.

# 1

"Levels" - Avicii (Flo Rida used this for his "Good Feelings" song)
Hands down, "Levels" has been the biggest dance hit of the year. So big that Flo Rida picked it up and used it as his base for the hit song "Good Feeling" which hit Billboard's top 100 at #4. For Avicii, the Swedish house producer, the song reached #1 in Sweden and Scotland, and topped the charts in several other european countries. From first had experience, I have heard this everywhere I have been around the US and the world this year. It is one of the most requested songs this year too, people either request "Levels" or "Good Feelings". This song is only going to get bigger, this is why it topped the list.

Flo Rida - "Good Feeling"

Just to note, this top 10 list is no way bassed on actual Billboard or any other charts. Its solely based on the opinions of us here at NYCelectro.com. Some chart figures are in the post, but that is just to inform you really. If you have any other suggested songs, list them below. It was tough leaving some out, like Niggas in Paris by Jay Z and some others. But still, this top 10 should keep you good into the new years! Happy New Years to you all!

Peace
DJ Color TV