Local DJs battle on Vogelweh

The Battle of the DJs competition, which pits the turntable talents of local Soldiers from the KMC in a knockout format, is heating up.

For the last three Saturdays in January, two Soldiers have squared off on the Armstrong’s Club stage, showing off their DJ ability with their decks, mixers and digital turntables. The three finalists from these weekend competitions will do battle a final time Feb. 1 to be called KMC’s top DJ during the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers Super Bowl Party starting at 9 p.m. at the Kazabra Club.

During the competition, an event hosted by Kaiserslautern Morale, Welfare and Recreation, each DJ had the chance to show off his skills over the course of two 30-minute sets with the crowd choosing the winner by applause.

Delia Maldonado, business operations division marketing assistant with MWR, said the idea of a competition came up because of the huge number of phone calls she received from Soldier DJs asking where they could spin in Kaiserslautern.

“We decided to create this promotion for our Soldiers to find out what kind of talent was in our local area, and we certainly found out. We have terrific talent here,” she said.

One of the recent DJ competitors was Staff Sgt. Christopher Hunt, also known as “The Big Baller,” a video teleconferencing technician for the 21st Theater Sustainment Command. He said he has been working as a DJ since he was 13 years old, learning his turntable chops from his father while growing up in St. Louis. Hunt DJs professionally at both private parties and clubs.

“I like to play music to create an atmosphere that people enjoy. As a DJ, I am always tuned in to the audience; I want to make them get up and move,” he said.

Hunt’s repertoire of music is quite varied. On a moment’s notice, he is prepared to play techno, hip hop, rhythm and blues, country or anything else that gets the crowd moving.

“If nobody is dancing, then I’m not doing my job,” he said.

Hunt has observed that it is usually the women who get up first to dance, with the men following. It’s just a matter of finding that right song.

“I’m participating, because I am doing what I love. Win, lose or draw, it’s just about the music,” he said.