My Favorite Top 5 DJ Battles of All Time

Post-Auto Reverse, I had some time to reflect on my favorite DJ battles, so here's my top five. Feel free to share yours in the comments (but be cool).
DJ Noise - 1996 World DMC - • DJ Noize (Denmark) - D...
DJ P-Trix - 1999 US DMC - • DMC World 1999 DJ P-Tr...
Total Eclipse - 1996 World ITF - • DJ TOTAL ECLIPSE - 199...
DJ Craze - 1998 US DMC - • DJ Craze - DMC 1998 US...
Invisibl Skratch Piklz vs. X-Men - • X-Men vs Invisibl Skra...

[@DJKWICK954]

Great list!!! Kentaro is another one that I rewatch every year

[@bubz3t136]

If you're talking about routines, rather than complete sets, I'd have to include Q-Bert's second routine in the solos against the X-Men, where he drummed on one deck, and scratched in the high hat on the other deck. Also, I'd include Tony Vegas' 'Work the Angel' juggle from the '98 UK DMC Final, where he juggles with the fader in Hamster mode. Then there's DJ Woody's Herb Alpert horn manipulation routine over Ugly Duckling's 'A Little Samba' beat, at the 2002 Vestax World Final, which is probably my favourite DJ routine of all time. He does it better at the 2003 ITF World Final, but he was just showcasing at that battle.

[@aristhera]

ahh thanks mate, didn't know the work the angles UK 1998 routine. Straight fire he even uses 2 different sides of the record, vocal and instrumental

[@greatness3928]

One of the hardest dopest set ever done

[@Nodiggy]

This took me back! Thx 🔥🔥

[@mortlow6688]

DJ NOIZE in 1996 100% with you (nice you know this...) For me the Dj Kentaro 2002 Routine is the GOAT ...

[@mrjw79]

C2C 2005 DMC Teams!! Phenomenal routine and you can see they were heavily influenced by the ISP vs X-Men battle from 1996.

[@CesarpaulRivera]

I remember watching one time around 1985, together with uncle jams army, the DJ from the movie breaking, cutting and scratching backwards on 4 turntables on Reseda CA skating rink.Never seen that done anymore. Every DJ is unique, though, nothing easy. I used to DJ with a friend from kaleidoscope, and got to play at Florentíne Gardens Hollywood on the 80s

[@bustacutxl2784]

DJ swamp DMC battle 1996💥

[@xpress9349]

Dj Akakabe 1998 DMC World set was something special

[@therealevilgenius7482]

Just as I was thinking now what can top DJ Craze, u hit me with the greatest dj battle of all time- ISP vs X-Men. This is definitely a solid list of top 5 battles.

[@DanielleKingdjdinosaur]

check out Kentaro from Japan

[@robbien3214]

Rholi Rho’s “Sucka” routine was Raw, along with Babu’s legendary “Blind Alley” routine… both in ITF 97

[@gaffle7646]

Sounds like you typed this using my exact thoughts! I concur… Roc Raida’s 94/95 DMC USA win (Ed O.G. > Pussy Footer > GMF Wheels of Steel) 🔥 Craze 2000 DMC Worlds (no Fader) 🔥 DJ Aladdin DMC USA win (whole set) 🔥 The Dream Team DMC World win (whole set) 🔥 DJ Precision’07 DMC USA win (the Rotwilder) 🔥 And the ones the video OP mentioned (excluding P-Trix).

[@jimfunkeeskratch]

Qbert the summit

[@jimfunkeeskratch]

Mr sinister method man routine

[@BoogMatic]

Rip legendary Roc Raida

[@DjRezurrection]

Digital Djing has destroyed the whole turntablim art and 2023 dmc just proved it😢

[@thehunterofdeath2180]

Yup

[@CesarpaulRivera]

Yeah, just like the tractors replaced the mules. But it was something else watching a DJ cutting on 4 turntables backwards, now that was something only a few people got to see

[@jsaenzMusic]

Yeah.... as soon as I knew you were doing top five I was like, " X-Men versus scratch pickles has to be the number one!". Great vid!

[@miguelvillagomez3720]

Dj Mouss’s ‘98 final set has always stood out for me… his scratch routine to Björk’s Joga sample… ooooof, so clean! 🔥🤌🏼

[@DjRezurrection]

For me it's DJ craze using Mobb Deep samples to speak to the crowd yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah hold the f****** up😎

[@miguelvillagomez3720]

@@DjRezurrectionThe highlight of ‘99 👏🏼🔥 The hella confidence he carried!

[@thisishiztorybaby]

Dope list

[@maninscratch]

DJ Craze 99 is my personal no. 1. I'd love to see another video about crew battles tho :)

[@RyanFreshhh]

I love that idea! That could be the next top 5 I'm covering. Some of those Allies routines were fire

[@maninscratch]

@@RyanFreshhh consider Scratch perverts dmc team routine 2000 :D

[@turntablizm12345]

Man seeing craze live did all his classic routines and his newer routines blew my mind...

[@alchemix206]

I got to see Rob Swift and Mista Sinista at Nectar a couple years ago. Still easily one of the most mind blowing nights of my life!

[@roblucchetti2993]

I remember seeing the Xmen at Wetlands in NYC years ago - up there in the favorite memories pile!

[@UziMusic]

A-Trak 2002 All-Star beatdown particularly the Getyafreakon / Trans Europ Express bit he uses out of 2001 DMC showcase is sick to this day, Akakabe 2004 supremacy performance is still nuts, Phels and Izohs routines in 2005, Dj Troubl is another all time favorite, super tight skill set makes you wanna practice, musical and technical, 2002 battle for supremacy (and his 2006) was just straight power, aggressive, tight, musical and hard AF.. legit bodybag material, so many tho

[@MrRomeobig]

Dj Craze

[@user-ot7xf6vz6h]

Dj Kleva had some dope routines and cuts and dj tiger STYLEZ as well are some fresh routines with crazy ideas and skillset

[@CesarpaulRivera]

I was really lucky I got to see most number one DJs and rappers live on the 80s.From Too short, the Egyptian lover,Ice cube, Ice T, Michael Jackson, Stacy Q, and everyone from Motown, singing those oldies at the Hollywood Bowl, you name it, I was on first robe. Those were the greatest years ever, Got to cruise Hollywood Blvd on my brand new Toyota minitruck, with 50.000 watts and 8 15 inchers in the back, the front full of girlies.There was no seatbelt laws those days, sometimes I had like 9 girls in that little cab, sometimes I even had a girl on the left side in my single seat cause they wouldn't fit, another one riding between the shifter,man, wearing those little miniskirts, I used to change gears like it was a big rig with 20 gears

[@nickyruffcut949]

Plus One DMC 2001 world championships. Using both hands on one fader to double up the clicks was a staple Skratch Perverts technique I still struggle to pull off.

[@RyanFreshhh]

Skratch Perverts are easily a top 5 crew. Thank you for reminding me that I have an instore of theirs to upload :)

[@nickyruffcut949]

I'm glad Noize got in the top 5, i prefer this set he did for the DMC Summit vid. Vocal cuts so good he's telling a story kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYjJi3Zpn9qbh6s @@RyanFreshhh

[@TURK_182]

What else could be #1, that battle was legendary!

[@RyanFreshhh]

I almost put DJ David on there lol jk

[@gaffle7646]

@@RyanFreshhhthat’s that speed-first / sloppy no-matter era. Naw… too bad Qbert was allegedly “high” and didn’t perform in the worlds like he did in his USA-win set.

[@patrickwayne]

Rholi Rho's "Give Me Tonight" routine, Sinister's "Method Man", Total Eclipse's "Scenario", Babu's "Blind Alley"...etc etc...

[@neonblack499]

I had the opportunity to open up for Craze during the summer this of this year and holy shit his skill is amazing. Also got shook that we played the same song 😅🤣 but goddamn he murders some DnB

[@benjaminrichter4565]

i am missing 88 winning set of cash money. he never was the fastest, he was never the best juggling battler.but he was kinda like hendrix, his sick moves, his charisma, his choice to start with play this only at night ( phantasm theme). it was the most impressive atmosphere i can remember. some ppl do not have to be the best in anything and still just....got it. like dj-noize, who destroyed better technical contenders by his amazing body language (like f.e. the diaz brothers in mma and how they were able to go opponents into berzerk mode and won this way. and even if they lost, after the fight, at the press conference they were the winners. its so sad, that today most djs battle with pioneers and premades. even if the performance is good or technical great, they will be forgotten soon. pred or prey often depends on the way you fight :D

[@aristhera]

great video, great selection. I also love Sinista's Theme from SWAT and does anyone remember the dude's name who juggled The boy is mine from Monica/brandy?

[@aristhera]

DJ Nando

[@bitchesleave]

Thats my turntable in your thumbnail😊

[@ready2blowup]

My favorites XMEN vs ISP "bitch its curtains" Sir Scratch (Philippines) - DMC 1999 DJ Battle Dj Klever 2001 DmC IEmerge 2004 DMC World Dj GERO 2004 DMC World 2007 - DJ Rafik (Germany) - DMC World Dj Iemerge 2003 dmc finals routine contains his best routins from ITF Dj Akkakabe vs Silk kuts 2004 DMC Supremcy battlle "1st round" and second round My favorite is with Grand master Roc Raida it was on one of his dvd. I dont know the name of routine. He was in the comfort of his home and the routine was flawless. It was similar to the rock the bells routine but i think with Run DMC. But seeing a flawless routine like that made me want to do more than just scratch it had an impact. I cant find it anywhere and I no loner have those dvds. Also around 2005 people started using pre mixed records. all routines started having that polished Serato sound thats when i stopped following DMC.

[@kalonjirivers8902]

The 1998 DMC U.S. Finals was indeed a force to be reckoned with. It was the very first DJ competition that I ever bought in my whole life. As for Total Eclipse, I was thinking that you were going to mention his 1997 DMC U.S. Finals routine. It was with A Tribe Called Quest's "What's The Scenario?" featuring the debut of Leaders Of The New School. Now, let me break down my top 5 favorite DJ battle routines, if you please And here it goes: #5. DJ Mysterio-1998 DMC U.S. DJ Mixing Finals #4. DJ Nike-1997 DMC World DJ Championships Eliminations/World Finals #3. DJ Plazticman-1990 DMC U.S. DJ Mixing Finals #2. DJ David-1990 and 1991 DMC World DJ Mixing Finals #1. DJ Trip (R.I.P.)-1991 DMC World DJ Mixing Finals Another honorable mention of my personal favorite is DJ Reckless from the 1990 DMC World DJ Mixing Finals.😁

[@RyanFreshhh]

That Mysterio routine is really really dope. Memorable for sure!

[@kalonjirivers8902]

@@RyanFreshhh With everything of what I have stated a couple of weeks ago, I would love to see more of the lesser known countries and nations go at it on the decks, more so on the old-school turntable style of trick mixing from back in 1990 to 1997 style of mixing. Countries that I would love to see in the DMC competition are Cuba, Jamaica, Iran, Iraq, El Salvador, Panama, Saudi Arabia, Albania, Azerbaijan, Malta, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Fiji, Sudan, Luxembourg, Georgia, Costa Rica, Belize, Quebec as a nation, Laos, Guatemala, and Vietnam. I have already just seen Egypt get it on here on KZbin on an online performance from DMC Technics.😁

[@kalonjirivers8902]

Another thing I want to address is, I wish that North Korea wasn't so much of a dictatorship country, so that it could get it on at the DMC competition.😁

[@damonrichardson8329]

I think you can need a real history about dj's and dj battles 😢

[@arturit0_]

My Hero DJ Noize!

[@turkeyjerkey111]

DJ Babu blind alley is probably my favorite routine

[@pnut3844able]

I hope the star wars scratch is in here

[@arranpeterson2154]

Noize!

[@kenyabarrett1378]

What the music in the background 👍👍💯💯

[@RyanFreshhh]

It’s a beat I made a few years ago. I think it only exists in this video

[@goldend7161]

Where can I find the actual battle?

[@waxfiend7359]

Dj Swamp 1996 !🔥

[@gaffle7646]

All the ones the video poster mentioned (excluding P-Trix) and… Roc Raida’s 94/95 DMC USA win (Ed O.G. > Pussy Footer > GMF Wheels of Steel) 🔥 Craze 2000 DMC Worlds (no, no, No Fader whole set) 🔥 DJ Aladdin DMC USA win (whole set) 🔥 The Dream Team DMC World win (whole set) 🔥 DJ Precision’07 DMC USA win (the Rotwilder) 🔥

[@juanpedrocortina3982]

Bravo olé olé olé

[@bubz3t136]

A few things: 1. You have to mention the fact that Craze started that '98 set cutting up Lord Finesse records, when that very battle was hosted by Finesse himself! 2. Craze wasn't juggling Drum 'n' Bass records, he juggled two copies of a Big Daddy Kane record, and created a Drum 'n' Bass beat with them. 3. You mentioned the "Warehouse Session" - do you know where it can be found? It's never been on KZbin, apart from the snippet of it that is featured on the documentary 'Battlesounds'.

[@RyanFreshhh]

I have a copy of the Warehouse Session that I've been trying to find time to digitize and edit.

[@bubz3t136]

@@RyanFreshhh Where did you get it?

[@RyanFreshhh]

@@bubz3t136 It was from a tape trade in the late 90s.

[@DJFurio]

Noize NMS battle against 8 Ball is my fav ever DJ battle. Gently place the balls into the mouth 🤣

[@KasperKatje]

If you really wanna talk DJ BATTLE in a DMC setting you have got to mention DJ Cash Money responding with "callin' me a sucker?" to the "I'm Cash Money's m0therfuck3r" diss by DJ All Star Fresh in the 1988 final.

[@ULATAN.]

Invasion of the Octopus People!!

[@rogersaints69]

DJ Noise 1996 the best_ técnica e criatividade...

[@arturit0_]

The best Ever!! DJ NOIZE the standard of what a dj suppose to be.

[@davidjames6295]

BABU and always look back in fondness at a DJ David set

[@RyanFreshhh]

Babu's 1995 West Coast DMC routine is underrated.

[@CRASHDDZ]

Skratch Bastid at Scribble Jam Emperor's

[@randallpaguio6433]

How u don’t put isps street fighter Dmc routine on there 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@flip1sba]

Hip-Hop had a strong influence around Europe especially East Coast Hip-Hop so DJ Noize is highly familiar with NY Hip-Hop and knows his thing.

[@mikemasterson5437]

CRAZE 2019 went ballistic

[@big_soundjunglist3]

Facts

[@gaffle7646]

More details please.

[@michaelgray472]

Check out DJ rocking hood king of philly battle 08 insane routine thanks

[@mattreyes1026]

I prefer the 99 craze set but hey 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@gr00veh0lmes]

DJ Kentaro wins for me. Check his winning DMC routine

[@malikclinscales8943]

There yo get funkahhhhhhh

[@richbrett646]

Craze smashed that year.👊

[@FarebrothaChronicle]

Cash Money vs Joe Cooley is mine....

[@RyanFreshhh]

As much as I love Cash Money, Joe Cooley is a direct influence on me as a scratch DJ.

[@papadre70]

All these Djs borrowed from Dj Jazzy Jeff and Dj Cash Money. Period

[@HeltenDaggert]

And? Everytime I do a flare scratch, I owe DJ Flare something?

[@MarkMcCray-gg3wx]

Look up DJ Kentaro playing with that Japanese guitar player……ridiculous.

[@draynged7869]

WTF How is Qbert not on this list?!?!? Or Fong Fong for that matter or DJ Angelo!?! 😪

[@skratchdaddy2203]

Respect to xmen but Isp won hands down and they did it on xmen turf. It was a technical showcase by ISP vs crowd hyping by Xmen

[@jermaineferguson2558]

😂

[@swiftnevisonbushwrangler6905]

Craze #1

[@malikclinscales8943]

Ptrix De La Soul routine

[@rare_grooves_shack_1983]

C2C @ DMC 2005! nothing comes close

[@julisa141]

Dexta 99

[@DjRezurrection]

Well I just saw the technics 2023 dmc championship and was joke about as funny as Russel peters

[@aikameiko73]

Dude You're 5 top - You serious - Everything You Said was way off., Scratch was off, Time and everything. man So much to say, Bro. On your 5 top list.

[@user-zl6ck9wf7b]

ISP v. X-Men - clearly there was a winner. ISP. If you followed the X-Men, it takes two routine was one of their staples. They were doing it for years and it wasn't brand new. Be on the other hand, game with all brand new routines tricks and sounds. Probably the only redone thing was QBert using a Wawa pedal but it's not like he the Wawa routine but he always busted at shows etc. This is no shader disrespect to the X-Men because I dig them too they are pioneers and turntablism.... But as far as that battle was concerned, there's a lot of bias. ISP was not given the love. I know a lot of cats that actually went to that show and they all told me the same. Rosa East Coast biased and the entire room. But by the time the Scratch Piklz were done, it could not be denied. They tried to deny the microphones about there not being a winner..... But the more they did that the more it just felt embarrassing. Sore loser style. What's an X-Men saying it... It was all the judges in MCS trying to hold it down the coast making the X-Men look bad. All props due to the X-Men and RIP Roc Raida.

[@coachcosio8401]

ISP won it!!!

[@osbert]

Can't listen to anything after 2003, dmc fell the fuck off a cliff

[@15twoe]

How you don't have a 15 year old A-Trak in or the first ISP battle, I don't understand!

[@lokozoa1813]

Dj #RECTANGLE