With more than 350 000 votes placed on the competing DJ:s by over 190 000 people, NGDJ is officially the world’s biggest ever DJ talent search. The NGDJ jury has spent their last week in isolation, pondering the finalists’ mixes, production skills, overall musicality and artistic potential.
Dean Wilson Global Mgr Deadmau5
David Waxman VP / GM Ultra Records
Sebastian Ingrosso DJ / Producer
Jonas Tempel CEO / Founder Beatport
Mark Grotefeld Head of Marketing Pioneer DJ
Ben Murphy Editor in Cheif DJ Mag
1. MayaVanya
Maya Vanya are intriguing in a ”what’s next?” way. A Croatian sister duo residing in New Zeeland, they are purveyors of global club music and serve up the most unique party starting sounds around in Next Generation DJ. The sisters have proven themselves by mixing their own masterfully laid out edits, spanning three decades of tropical music fun, with a big room friendly tech house sound ready for next generation dancefloors everywhere.
In his 30 minute, multi-layered mix, Tel Aviv based Frenchman Jeremy G displays all the skills necessary for a world class DJ in 2010. While moving from one end of the house/techno spectrum to the other, he still keeps the sound and vibe tight by introducing acapellas, samples and his own re-edits and remixes.
Channelling the freshest tech house sounds available, this Swedish/Argentinian DJ and singer/songwriter won the jury’s hearts with a slick, stripped-down mix showcasing both exquisite taste and, in her self-penned tracks, impeccable musical talent.
From over 3500 contestants in the Next Generation DJ competition only
100 remain for the final stage (Stage 2), which runs February 3rd-22nd.
Finalists will have ten days to complete a mix based on the theme “The new
sound of Miami”, to be judged by NGDJ’s esteemed jury.
Jury
Dean Wilson, 360 Group
One of the driving forces at the Three Six Zero Group with global responsibilities for all of 360’s business for Deadmau5, among several other artists.
David Waxman, VP/GM Ultra Records
David is Vice President and General Manager at Ultra Records, the No.1 dance label in the US market.
Jonas Tempel, CEO & Founder Beatport
Jonas is the founder and CEO of Beatport, the recognized leader of electronic
music downloads by DJs and fans alike.
Each NGDJ Finalist will be judged by the following:
Compliancy with rules
Each mix must be under 30 minutes and contain a complete track list (artist,
track names, approximate starting times). Finalists will be contacted and asked
to reply back with mix links before February 13th, 6.00 PM CET.
Conceptual interpretation of task ("The new sound of Miami"):
Style of arrangement and sequencing of tracks and energy level of mix.
Mix must have signs of mass appeal, while also containing bleeding edge artists,
tracks and styles.
Mixing Skills
A solid mixing craftsmanship with precise transitions, beat matching and
timing paired with relevant and value adding EQ:ing, effects and mix levels.
Production quality of own track
Each Finalist mix must contain a track produced by the DJ. The jury will evaluate the quality and production value of the finalists' own tracks. While having your DJ name listed as the main artist for the track is of considerable merit, we do however accept mixes containing your own remixes and re-edits as well - should you not have the means for producing your own track ground up.
Brand potential
The strength of DJ's brand concept in terms of name, appearance, promotional
style and graphics. Some embedded media in the description fields on Letsmix.com
profile is allowed, optionally portraying a live situation.
NGDJ Finals timeline and process
February 3rd: NGDJ Qualifiers with the highest rating averages at the end of Stage 1 receives a message detailing the NGDJ finals. This message contains details for submitting your NGDJ Finals mix.
February 13th: Contestants have until February 13th 6PM CET to upload a mix to remain in the finals. Any missing finalists at this point will be replaced at the discretion of Letsmix.com.
February 22nd: Deadline for the updating of all finalists profiles. Changes made after this date may not be taken into consideration by the jury.
February 13-25th: The NGDJ jury confers to pick the NGDJ winner, 2nd and 3rd prize runners up, along with placements 4-100.
February 26th: The NGDJ winner and runners up are announced on Letsmix.com.
Biggest names in dance music launch »Next Generation DJ» contest to find superstar DJ of the future
Pioneer, Beatport, DJ Magazine and Let’s Mix have come together to launch ‘Next Generation DJ’ (NGDJ), a talent competition designed to unearth the next superstar DJ and to give him or her the chance to win a life changing prize!
To win, DJs with the X-Factor will have to demonstrate their skills through several stages of the competition here on letsmix.com. We will be looking for creative music compilation and mixing skills as well as entrepreneurial drive.
Anyone can join, either if you do your mixing on Turntables, CDJ’s, Mixing or Production Software, just record a mix and upload you mix here. If you don’t have the equipment at home, feel free to download our free mixing app here.
What are you waiting for? Let’s Mix!
How to Join
Participation in NGDJ requires submitting a DJ mix via Letsmix.com, using the mp3 upload function or Letsmix Editor. Only one mix per Letsmix.com member may enter the contest.
Mixes with complete track information will be prioritized in the event of equal rating in the qualification from Stage 1 to Stage 2.
The competition is divided into two stages:
NGDJ Stage 1 (For everyone)
When: 15th of Dec. 2009 to 31st of Jan. 2010.
What: Stage 1 aims to qualify the NGDJ Top 100 that will proceed to Stage 2.
To become a NGDJ Top 100, contestants in Stage 1 must fulfil two tasks proving their entrepreneurial skills:
Task 1 - Acquire min. 200 votes
Promote your competition mix through social networks, emails etc. and acquire a minimum of 200 votes to join the NGDJ Qualifiers
Task 2 - Highest Average Rating
After joining the NGDJ Qualifiers your standing will be determined by your ongoing average rating (Your standing can be improved amongst the qualifiers by improving your average rating). At the end of Stage 1 you must be among the top 100 qualifiers to proceed to Stage 2.
NGDJ Stage 2 (Top 100)
When: 1st of Feb. 2010 to 20th of Feb. 2010.
What: Contestants will create and publish an additional mix on the theme of WMC 2010 to compete for the prizes.
Mixes are judged through a combination of votes, rating and the official NGDJ jury further presented 1st of February 2010
The NGDJ partners have come together to create a career changing opportunity for the contestants through a two-stage competition format
NGDJ Competition Stage 1: 15th of December 2009 to 31st of January 2010
NGDJ Competition Stage 2: 1st of February 2010 to 20th of February 2010
Here are the prizes:
1st place:
NGDJ Superstar DJ Launch Package
Showcase at the 2010 Winter Music Conference in Miami: Flights and flash hotel in Miami with gigs at amongst others the Beatport Pool Party and the DJ Mag opening and closing party at the Shelborne.
Professional PR Management: Ongoing editorial coverage in leading dance and music press, where the winner amongst other things will be get a cover news story in DJ Mag as well as extensive coverage on Beatportal and DJ Sounds
Post Miami Career launch: A contract with leading DJ management agency as well as the opportunity to release a DJ compilation as well as inclusion in the exclusive Pioneer test DJ group.
Next Generation DJ equipment: A pair of industry standard Pioneer CDJ-2000 decks and a Pacemaker.
2nd - 3rd place:
Professional PR Management: Ongoing editorial coverage in leading dance and music press, including interviews in DJ Mag, Beatportal and DJ Sounds.
Career launch opportunity: Presentation to a leading DJ management agency and labels as well as inclusion in the exclusive Pioneer test DJ group.
Next Generation DJ equipment: An industry standard Pioneer CDJ-2000 deck and a Pacemaker.
4th - 50th place:
Ongoing promotion: Listing in an official NGDJ finalist announcement as well as ongoing coverage in DJ Mag, Beatportal and DJ Sounds amongst others.
Next Generation DJ equipment: Top 50 contestants win a Pacemaker 60 GB.
51st - 100th place:
Ongoing promotion: Listing in an official NGDJ finalist announcement as well as ongoing coverage in DJ Mag, Beatportal and DJ Sounds amongst others.