Some may say he is the Tom Brady of DJ’s. Perhaps, an Ardie Savea in the DJ World. I say he is an absolute musical prodigy and a legend in the making.
If you don’t know who he is, let me introduce you to DJ K-Swizz. He is a 21 year old musical genius. DJ K-Swizz has 11 World Titles under his belt and is a DMC (Disco Mix Club) World Champion. DMC World is the world’s most prestigious DJ competition on the planet! Whoever becomes a DMC World Champion is the biggest accomplishment you can behold as a Turntablist.
We got to sit down with the reigning World Champion and get a glimpse of who he is behind the art of being a world renowned DJ.
Now, before you continue reading we have to establish DJ K- Swizz’s art. He is not the “typical” DJ we hear on the weekend in the clubs or at your average wedding, he is a musician, a true Turntablist. He is by far a generational talent in the art of Turntablism. Turntablism is the art of using turntables to create new music, sound effects, and mixes. It’s still found today, but definitely not a common skill as DJ’s from all over the world compete with each other in a 6 minute performance they take months to perfect in hopes to become the next World Champion.
All the way from Aotearoa and representing the Cook Islands, Kalib Strickland aka DJ K-Swizz, won both the 2022 and the 2023 world events. K – Swizz at the age of 14 won both the DMC Battle for World Supremacy and the 2017 IDA Technica. In doing so he became the youngest person to win a world championship! In addition, he became the first DJ to win from the Southern hemisphere, let alone be the representation for the Pacific Islands.
“How did he get here?” is what you might be thinking.
Before reaching double digits in age, DJ K-Swizz already started making a name for himself. Seeing his legendary Turntablist father, DJ Reminise, travel the world and compete, DJ – Kswizz wanted the same for himself. “My dad is my biggest motivation. He always pushes me to be my best and helps me with everything I do.”
At only nine years old, he entered the DMC and finished 8th in the World. To make his story and journey more iconic, he had only been DJ’ing for 8 months prior to finishing 8th in the world at just nine years old!
DJ K – Swizz has been HIM from the beginning.
After many years and titles later, this past October, K – Swizz competed in the DMC World Finals and came out winning the DMC Battle for Supremacy World Champion Title. This is another huge accolade and it meant K – Swizz went head-to-head with other DJs, facing off in one-on-one battles. The knockout rounds emphasize quick thinking and improvisation!
In defending his World Title, K – Swizz recalls his favorite moment from the experience was “Going out there and having fun! I love performing and being able to show my routine to everyone was enough. I practiced so hard and for so many hours to perfect my routine – it was the first time I showed it to everyone so it was a good time,” He recalls beaming through his words.
With so many accolades to his name, DJ K – Swizz walks us through the preparation he goes through to continue being one of the best in the game.
“When you’re the champ it’s hard to go into a different direction because you’re already up there.”
From studying the history, studying his favorite DJ’s, and studying his opponents, DJ K – Swizz shares how he had to fit all the knowledge he acquired into one set. “It was hard studying and trying different, new techniques, but in the end it was fun.”
we asked K – Swizz what he thinks makes him different from other DJ’s and he humbly stated, “I think my style is original and I bring something different every year. I like being creative and I am very technical.”
Looking forward, DJ Kswizz wants to leave his legacy as someone who pushes Turntablism to his side of the world in the Southern hemisphere. “It’s not really as big as I think it should be. It used to be a big thing back in the days but now I notice there’s a lot of DJ’s in the club scene, but I want to bring back the Hip – Hop Old School Turntablism.”
DJ K- Swizz has made waves and moves being so young in the game, and he still continues to do so. We look forward to continuing watching him make history and grow Turntablism. Hopefully one day we will see him doing so at Tomorrowland, his dream event.
He leaves off with some advice to other aspiring DJ’s to “get some turntables, get a mixer, and start practicing.”
Speaking of different…
