Tables turned on DJs

This online hunt for the country’s best DJ is claimed to be “the first-ever award accreditation for DJs”. ‘Best’ as defined by Myfavdj.in, a website dedicated to DJs, stands for disc jockeys with the largest fan base. Therefore, it is the fans who get to decide.

Till date, over 1,100 DJs have registered to compete for 16 awards, 11 of which will be given away for different genres of music like electronic, house, techno, trance, drum and bass/dub step and so on. “We have three jury awards for technical prowess, a breakthrough artist of the year award and a lifetime achievement award,” says Eddie Cruzet, a music aficionado and co-founder of myfavdj.in.

Myfavdj.in began a month-and-a-half back as a microsite to promote, encourage and gratify DJs. “It is designed to make life easier for a DJ; it has links to information on them, and their music and content. It is a virtual calling card for them,” says Cruzet.

Interestingly, of the 1,115 registered DJs, only 75 are women. Arlene Gomez, 26, nominated in the house music category is one of them. “The website is a good way for us to connect with our fans and showcase our music skills,” says Gomez, who dabbles in electronic, minimal techno, drums and bass. One of the two female DJs from Bangalore, Gomez has performed all over India and a few neighbouring countries too.

Age is no bar when it comes to music, as the12-year-old boy wonder from Hyderabad, Sai Prithvi, proves. A precocious DJ who has been nominated in the house category, DJ Prithvi is currently on a two-month all-India tour that “will raise funds for mentally challenged people”. Also in the running is David Masilamani, 53, a classic rock and blues DJ who has been nominated under the rock/ retro category. “This website is a major kick for rock and retro that has been overshadowed by electronic and other popular club music,” says Masilamani aka Blackjack!

Being an online competition, the website has given visibility to DJs from all over India, be it from Vizag, Surat, Jaipur, Noida, Mahape or Vishakhapatnam.

Each individual gets to cast three votes, each carrying different points that are added to the final tally. These points will decide the overall ranking that will be released in June. “People are taking these votes very seriously and are choosing the best instead of voting for friends or artists from their own city,” says Vishal Shetty aka DJ V Shall, co-founder of the site.

The site is open to all DJs are automatically up for selection once they register. Fans can also sign in and comment on their favourite artists’ profiles. The rules of registration are specific — you have to be a certified DJ having played outside your home (they send people to verify), you have to submit a picture and a list of places played at, for a profile to be uploaded.

In the pipeline is a propsed all India tour featuring the winners.”The awards is just the beginning. We plan on also coming up with deal and offers for the DJs, by partenering with clubs, music comapnies and even clothing manufacturers,” says Shetty.

The last day for voting is May 18. Log onto www.myfavdj.in