DJ Puffy wins int’l competition
YET another Barbadian has stamped their authority on the world stage.
On Saturday night Andre ‘DJ Puffy’ Parris, who came in as one of the three wild cards in the RedBull Thre3style competition secured a massive win of the held in Santiago Chile.
Now in its seventh year, the annual Red Bull Thre3Style World DJ Championships have been advancing the culture of DJing, entertaining audiences all around the world since 2010. The competitors are given15 minutes and at least three genres to impress the judges who award points based on originality, skills, track selection, personality and crowd response. The 2016 finalists came from 24 countries around the world.
DJ Puffy who created history by even making it to the quarter-finals of the prestigious event two days before, came with a new set on Saturday night and brought the large crowd to their feet giving them much more than three genres in an energetic and versatile performance in the Vélodromo del Estadio Nacional.
The fresh set saw seamless and unexpected mixes which joined sounds like the Super Mario theme song with My Girl from the Temptations and DJ Khaled’s All I do is Win with Cheers to Life by the Voice.
The Chilean crowd and massive audience following the finals online would’ve also given a nod of approval to the Spanish additions of Gasolina by Daddy Yankee, Danza Kuduro by Don Omar and Suavemente by Elvis Crespo. He also mixed in some Single Ladies by Beyonce and Calvin Harris featuring Rihanna.
DJ Puffy went on to pleasantly surprise local and regional fans with Soca plays from Barbados’ own Rupee and Big Red. Also heard was the unmistakeable intro of Spice and Company’s Congoline. He also gave a taste of Machel like a Boss, Johnny Osbourne’s Budy Boy, All the Way Up by Drake and demonstrated his scratching skills with the Amy Winehouse’s Rehab which led into Dawn Penn’s No No No.
During the 15 minute set DJ Puffy came from behind the turntables and connected with the fans who were enjoying every minute based on their reaction. Even the experienced panel of judges could be seen in the background reacting to the DJ’s track selection.
In a post-competition interview DJ Puffy said he took the advice of veteran DJ Jazzy Jeff, who encouraged competitors to enjoy the moment.
“I am blown away, this is phenomenal, monumental from where I am from, and not only my country but the entire region, the Caribbean. Win or not, once you are here it is a blessing, you learn so much.”
Even being adjudged the best DJ in the world, DJ Puffy still remained humble. “You have the crème de la crème of DJs in your presence, it is phenomenal and amazing just to breathe the same air as them, ask them questions about their sets, share music with them. This is a priceless experience, money cant buy this.”
“It is only up from here. Red Bull and Thre3style, they put you on a platform that people dream of and I am looking forward to carrying the torch in a unique way. In my own “Puffy way,” he said. (JH)
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