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Eighth Annual DJ Competition Brings Nation’s Top Battle DJs to the Forefront

17 August 2006 No Comment

Guitar Center today announced the lineup for the 2006 Spin Off grand finals competition taking place Sept. 1 at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall. The event will feature Stones Throw Records’ roster of MCs and DJs including Madlib, J.Rocc, Peanut Butter Wolf, Percee P, Med, A-Trak and others plus an exclusive J DILLA tribute.

“With the Stones Throw family sharing the stage with the nation’s six best undiscovered battle DJs in San Francisco, this year’s Spin Off grand finals will celebrate hip-hop and showcase its artistic roots,” said Kyle Rogers, marketing manager for Guitar Center. “The opportunity these six DJs have to share the stage with groundbreaking artists and win massive prizing helps them in the pursuit of establishing themselves firmly in the turntablist world.”

Focusing on the artistic and underground aspects of the DJ community, this year’s Spin Off grand finals promises to be the most authentic in the event’s history. Headlining the bill will be Madlib, arguably one of the most creative producers in the industry, bringing his multifaceted, jazz-influenced beats to the hip-hop scene. Also performing will be Peanut Butter Wolf, founder of Stones Throw Records, and A-Trak, Kanye West’s current DJ, who is well known for breaking technical boundaries and winning DJ championships across the world. Finally, J.Rocc, of the Beat Junkies fame, will showcase his innate knowledge of rhythmic transitions to the stage. Getting the night started will be world DJ battle champions ie.Merg_ and Craze performing a special one-time collaboration with the experimental Machine Drum. The six finalists will be judged by a powerhouse panel, including A-Trak, ie.Merge_, Craze, Peanut Butter Wolf, J.Rocc, Dan “the Automator” and Kid Koala.

As a bonus at the grand finals, legendary street artist Shepard Fairey will perform a live art installation on stage during the Stones Throw family performance. The completed artwork will be then be auctioned off to benefit a charity yet to be determined.

Beginning Aug. 1, tickets will be available for purchase for $12 via www.tickets.com, www.virtuous.com and through The Great American Hall Box Office.

The 2006 Spin Off champion will take home a 2006 Scion xB, a trip to the Nike iD studios and a session with a Nike laser designer, a $2,500 Obey shopping spree and a one-of-a-kind “Obey the Champ” Technics SL-1200MK5 turntable.

For this event Guitar Center has partnered with some of the nation’s leading brands, including Toyota Scion, Technics, Rane, Nike, Stones Throw Records, Obey, Napster, B-52 Professional, SOBE and Scratch and XXL magazines.

About Stones Throw Records

Peanut Butter Wolf, founder and president of Stones Throw, became popular as a DJ in the Bay Area in the 1990s. He has since transformed into an artist in his own right and the head of one of the most influential indie hip-hop labels in the country. By remaining true to his musical philosophy, Wolf has introduced musicians such as Madlib into the hip-hop scene and has brought some of the genre’s most respected artists to the label such as the late J. Dilla and MF Doom, creating a varied catalogue that includes new hip-hop, undiscovered gems of soul and inspiring niche and cult projects. His efforts add up to a recording company that transcends a brand and takes on surprising new directions with every release. For more info, visit www.stonesthrow.com.

About Guitar Center

Guitar Center is the leading United States retailer of guitars, amplifiers, percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio and recording equipment. Our retail store subsidiary presently operates 185 Guitar Center stores across the United States. In addition, our Music & Arts division operates 91 stores specializing in band instruments for sale and rental, serving teachers, band directors, college professors and students. We are also the largest direct response retailer of musical instruments in the United States through our wholly owned subsidiary, Musician’s Friend, Inc., and its catalog and web site, www.musiciansfriend.com. More information on Guitar Center can be found by visiting the Company’s web site at www.guitarcenter.com.

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