Name: Christian Wittendorff
Age: 26
Profession: DJ
DJ Graded just won the Danish DJ championship where he competed with five other talented DJs. This automatically gave him a ticket to the world championship in London where he represented Denmark to the fullest with style, but unfortunately he didn’t make it to the top final. I met him last week and had a little chat with him over a cup of coffee.
When did you start scratching and flipping records?
I started practicing at home when I was about 18 years old. I had friends who gave me some tips every once in a while, but mostly I taught myself everything I know today.
When did you start making money on it?
Well, I think within the last two years. It is hard to make good money in this business but after playing regularly at “Hip hop kontoret” ( a hip hop event held every Thursday in Copenhagen, which is now closed) I got some more jobs.
Do you think about what you are wearing before you go on jobs?
Always! I always think about what I wear, even if I’m not at work. It’s important for me to look good. My friend has a street wear brand called Sobre where I get a lot of good stuff from.
What is it that you can do, that other DJs can’t?
Hmm, well if you look at the DJs that play at clubs, they usually just mix songs so the music will have a flow. I like to be more creative and do some scratching while I mix the songs. It’s important that I deliver good entertainment. If you look at other DJs who also mix, then I guess I am just better. That’s why I won. My thing is that I like the music to have a connection and wholeness so it sounds good and becomes like one long song.
Have you become more attractive to the business after winning the Danish championship?
Not really. I haven’t gotten more jobs because of it, but it gives me some more fun experiences. I just got a call from the Danish TV show “Rabatten,” where a guy and his date are coming to my place to learn how to scratch. Nothing major, but just really fun to be a part of.
Does the audience expect more from you now than they did before you won?
Yes, I believe they do, but so do I. After winning the championship I expect my self to do better and I want people to see that I can live up to my title. When I go play I want people to have fun and give them a good experience.
Do people treat you differently after you have become well known?
No, not at all. People I know still treats me the same as always. However, of course some of the people who are in the same business might see me with different eyes now and maybe a little more respect, because I won the championship. But I really don’t allow myself to let it go to my head, I’m still me.
Is there any track that you always play?
No. I never prepare a set before a job. I play from whatever feeling and atmosphere there must be at the gigs I’m playing at. However, my style is mostly hip hop and electronic.
Is there any track you would never play?
I can’t say that there’s any track I would never play, but I don’t think I would ever play 90´s dance music or death metal. I like to play music that I like myself.
What are your plans for the future?
I actually really like to do battles and I never really did it before the championship. So right now I am preparing for the Scandinavian masters in January. And then I will apply for the Danish DJ championship again next year. I’m also producing electro-hip hop, but right now it’s just something I do for fun, but at some point I would like to release an album with my music.
More info about DJ Graded: myspace.com/djgraded
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