A CUT ABOVE CHALLENGE 2024 - DJ Ab Style

Judging Criteria
Judges will score entries on a scale from 1-5 (Points ranging from "1" to "2" reflect a fundamental approach. "3" is average. While "4" and "5" are the most refined) in the following 3 categories.
1. Technicality
A) Quality of scratches - measure the student's ability to showcase a wide range (essential to advanced) of techniques.
B) Articulation - do the scratches exhibit personality?
C) Rhythm & Timing - are the scratches riding the beat effectively?
2. Composition
A) Structure - judge how well the student can configure their scratches in the allotted time frame.
B) Arc - does the routine provide a clear beginning, middle, and end?
3. Showmanship
A) Design - examine the performance style. How engaging was the student?
B) Entertainment Value - what is your reaction to the overall performance?
DJ Ab Style final score = 18.5
Judges Scores
Rob Swift
Technicality: 2.5
Composition: 2.5
Showmanship: 1
Comments: This routine felt more like a practice run than a performance. Ab Style needs to spend time learning and understanding how to compose a scratch battle set, which means picking interesting samples (not generic ones), organizing them (editing), and strategizing which scratch techniques go where (this sounded like a 1 take freestyle). Ab Style is close, he just needs to put more thought behind his routines.
Total Score = 6
Wallzee
Technicality: 2
Composition: 2
Showmanship: 1
Total: 5
Comments: The routine didn't have too much structure and was a little ambitious in its scratch technique selection. Upfaders are always a plus! Also, adjust your camera so we can see a bit more personality.
Lamp Shady
Technicality: 2.5
Composition: 3
Showmanship:2
Total: 7.5
Comments: This is the right amount of samples for this time limit. I would say just split it up a bit more evenly and try telling a bit more of a story as you move through your techniques sample. It seems like you're just kinda changing up techniques per sample rather than combining the techniques over each sample. Obviously, this will come with time as you develop a larger vocabulary of scratches and feel comfortable creating combos. Also, think knock-out punch at the end. You wanna end with your strongest material.
Sponsored by Jico.

[@thewatcher6295]

Nice job, don't be afraid to challenge yourself. There's a beast in there, don't be afraid to let it out.

[@djdustmite4519]

Anybody can enter this challenge? 👀