Asia’s Turntable Titans: Celebrating 40 Years of DMC and the Rise of Scratch Culture
- Undrtone Blog
- Oct 8
- 3 min read
For the first time in its 40-year history, the Technics DMC World DJ Championship heads to Tokyo, a fitting home for the global celebration of scratch culture. Across two days from 11–12 October 2025, the world’s most skilled DJs will step onto the stage at O-East and Harlem, armed with decks, mixers, and precision-crafted routines.
It is more than a competition. DMC represents four decades of innovation, community, and artistic expression, and nowhere has that legacy burned brighter in recent years than across Asia.
A continent leading the craft
Asia’s rise in turntablism is not new, but the 2025 finalist list confirms its strength. From Japan to Thailand, China to the UAE, and Indonesia to the Asian diaspora in West Africa, the representation is immense. In the Classic category alone, Japan’s DJ Fummy and Hiratemarino, Indonesia’s Kevin Adam, China’s DJ 72, Thailand’s Ex-Dee, and the UAE’s DJ B Luv will battle it out alongside the world’s best. The Scratch and Open divisions echo the same energy, with DJ Keita, DJ Slum, DJ Zoken, DJ Pegg, and DJ Kidy showing the creative firepower coming from across the region.
This year’s host city symbolises Asia’s deep cultural connection to DJing. Tokyo is home to Technics, the brand behind the SL-1200 turntables that became the backbone of hip-hop, club culture, and every DMC champion’s setup. Japan also gave birth to Vestax, whose mixers helped define battle DJing throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Asia has not only produced great DJs, but it has also helped build the tools that defined the art form.
From hip-hop’s roots to global streets
When Tony Prince founded the DMC Championships in 1985, the art form was rooted in the Bronx’s block parties and the UK’s club scene. But hip-hop’s DNA travelled quickly, blending with Japan’s streetwear culture, Thailand’s urban dance battles, and the Philippines’ rhythmic showmanship.
Asian turntablists took the culture seriously. By the late 1990s, crews like Kireek, Japan’s five-time world team champions, and artists like DJ Kentaro and DJ Izoh were redefining what was possible on the decks. Their performances combined technical precision with musical storytelling, hallmarks of Japanese craftsmanship, and inspired a new generation across the continent.
Today, young prodigies like DJ Michelle from Dubai embody the new generation of turntablists shaped by family legacy and dedication. Taught to scratch by her father, DJ Shock, a former DMC finalist, she became a finalist herself at just nine years old. Now returning to Tokyo as a global sensation, she’s continuing the lineage of skill and passion passed down through generations.
Why Asia thrives in turntablism
Turntablism rewards discipline, creativity, and individuality, values deeply woven into many Asian traditions. In Japan, the attention to detail mirrors the ethos of martial arts and craftsmanship. In Thailand, the fusion of music and performance reflects a culture rooted in rhythm and movement. In the UAE and Indonesia, thriving club scenes and youth-driven innovation fuel experimentation and ambition.
The region’s growth is also tied to its infrastructure. Access to record stores, DJ schools, and online communities has expanded dramatically. Global brands like Technics and Alpha Theta have invested heavily in Asian markets, providing aspiring DJs with the resources and platforms to compete on a worldwide scale.
DMC40: Where East meets West
As DMC celebrates 40 years in Tokyo, it is not just marking a milestone; it is recognising how the culture has evolved. Once a primarily Western competition, DMC now reflects a truly global stage where Asian artists stand shoulder to shoulder with the best from Europe, the Americas, and beyond.
With over 800 entrants from 16 countries this year, the scale demonstrates the art form’s vitality. Categories like Classic, Scratch, Supremacy, and The Open test different facets of skill, from six-minute routines to knockout battles. Judged on originality, technical ability, musicality, and impact, these performances continue to push the boundaries of what is possible.
The Tokyo finals will not only crown new champions. They will cement Asia’s role as a driving force in DJ culture, built on heritage, innovation, and a shared language of beats, cuts, and rhythm.
Watch the future unfold
The Technics DMC World DJ Championships take place from 10–12 October 2025, beginning with a welcome event at Studio Freedom, followed by the battles at O-East and Harlem. Tickets and livestream info are available at dmcdjchamps.com.
Whether you are a scratch purist or a curious club head, Tokyo 2025 will remind the world that in the age of AI playlists and sync buttons, true skill still speaks loudest.
DMC World DJ Championships
Comments