Interview: DJ Rena is a returning champion
Following his interview with 4 times World Champion Mr Switch, 25ThC had a chat with DJ Rena who stunned the DJ World last year when he became the youngest ever DMC World Champion at just 12 years old. He returns to the DMC this year to defend his title:
Congratulations on your amazing win at the DMC last year! How has your life changed since that success and what have you been up to in the past 12 months?
Thank you. A lot more people, especially people outside Japan started talking to me (contacting me) and I’m getting more confident of my DJing.
What do you think it was about your routine last year that saw you defeat competitors much more senior than you?
It was about the skill that nobody has and also, I paid a lot attention to my routine and I thought about the structure of it carefully and tried to make the one which can liven it up.
Last year you were using a Native Instruments Z2 Mixer and Traktor also loved by Qbert and Craze. Why did you go for that setup instead of the much more commonplace Rane and Serato setup and what will you be using this year?
Z2 is easy and simple to use for me. It’s kinda fun to use as it has many functions. It looks good also. I’m going to use it at the DMC WORLD FINAL this year again because I’m used to using it. But I want to try to use many more different DJ mixers and equipments when I have free time.
When and how did you first get into turntabilism and who are your idols?
I started getting into turntabilism when I was 9 years old. I did it because I was learning dancing and one time I was at the dance event and there was a DJ there who was showing a really good routine. I wanted to be a DJ like him. And then, I remember my dad was sometimes playing vinyls with turntables but he did not use them so much. So I brought them from my dad’s warehouse and started practicing DJing. My idol is A-Trak since I started DJing.
If you were judging the DMC this year what would you be looking out for?
I would be fairly looking out for their skills and structure of their routines.
…
The DMC World DJ Championships 2018 take place in London on Sunday 7 October 2018. Get your tickets now from here.
Interview by 25ThC.
