A Look at SMIRNOFF’s Master of the Mix: Pioneering Reality TV in the Music Industry
Welcome to our retrospective exploration of SMIRNOFF’s trailblazing venture into reality television – ‘Master of the Mix’. This show took music industry leaders and influential DJs, and merged them with SMIRNOFF’s vibrant nightlife culture to create an unforgettable experience. Even though it’s been a few years since this show originally aired, its impact still reverberates through the music industry. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and see how it all started, who was involved, and what it meant for the competitors.
“Master of the Mix” marked the first venture into reality television for SMIRNOFF, and the excitement was palpable. As David Tapscott, SMIRNOFF Brand Director stated, “SMIRNOFF has always been a part of the nightlife culture, encouraging responsible partying for years and since we’re working with some of the most influential DJs who control the night, the partnership between the two spaces feels natural to us.”
The Inception and Competition
The competition began with approximately 800,000 viewers tuning into the DJ’s base camp of a luxurious home in the Hollywood Hills. The show followed the DJs as they were challenged to move the crowds from to city including Las Vegas, Miami, Los Angeles, New York, and London.
Judging Criteria and Prizes
Judged on their technical ability, track selection, originality, and crowd response, the DJ’s competed for the title of Master of the Mix, as well as $250,000 in cash and prizes, including a personalized SMIRNOFF bottle. Kid Capri, who deejayed for Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam and has produced sessions for Heavy D, Boogie Down Productions, and Quincy Jones, anchored the judging booth, while notable industry veterans such as Biz Markie made guest appearances throughout the season.
Competitors Profile
Among the contestants was DJ Mars, a native of Springfield, MA, who has worked as a DJ for Keri Hilson, Monica, Kelis, and Ne-Yo among others. Founder of The World Famous Super Friends Crew, Mars was the only DJ repping from Atlanta in the competition. Others competing for the title of The Master of the Mix included:
- DJ Jazzy Joyce, hip hop music legend, the only female in Funkmaster Flex’s DJ crew and NYC’s Hot 97 DJ
- DJ Rap, also known as the Queen of the Turntables and first lady of Drum n: Bass, who has over three million in cumulative worldwide sales to her name, voted top female DJ in the world 7 years in a row
- DJ Revolution, Los Angeles-based resident DJ for The Wakeup Show with Sway and King Tech. Widely known for his scratching ability, he has released several critically acclaimed self-produced solo albums and shared the stage with many legendary .
- Rich Medina, Founder of Jump N Funk, the original Fela Kuti Tribute Party, Little Ricky’s Rib Shack at APT (one of NYC’s longest running weekly residencies ever), and Rock Steady Crew DJ. Rich also produced “Watchin’ Me” for Jill Scott.
- DJ Scratch, New Music Seminar DJ World Champion, three-time Grammy nominated producer, third member of the legendary group EPMD. Scratch has produced for Busta Rhymes and Flipmode Squad, 50 Cent, LL Cool J, DMX, and Q-Tip.
- DJ Vikter Duplaix, Grammy nominated DJ, producer &” target=”_blank”>; recording , who has released several solo albums in addition to producing for Erykah Badu, Earth, Wind and Fire, Eric Benet, Bilal and many others.
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