DJ Johney Talks DMC Championships, Turntablism in India & Pushing the Culture Forward
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with DJ Johney, the only Indian DJ to make it to the Top 10 of the DMC World DJ Championships—a historic achievement for Indian turntablism. We discuss what it was like competing on the world stage, the state of turntablism in India, and what’s next for him.
Q) You were the only Indian DJ to break into the Top 10 at the DMC World DJ Championships—a massive achievement. How did it feel to compete at that level, and what was the overall experience like?
DJ Johney: Honestly, I was scared. It was my first time, and I didn’t expect to make it to the Top 10. When I saw my name at 7th place, I refreshed the website three times just to be sure!
While performing, I was completely in the zone, so I didn’t feel much in the moment. But later, when I realized that no Indian DJ had ever reached this level before, it felt like being the first man on the moon.
Q) For those unfamiliar with the DMC World DJ Championships, can you break down what makes it so prestigious and how the selection process works?
DJ Johney: DMC is the biggest and most respected DJ battle in the world. It’s been running since the 1980s and has produced legends like DJ Craze, A-Trak, and Qbert.
It’s all about pure skill—scratching, beat juggling, and crafting creative routines. DJs from different countries compete, and only the best make it to the finals. The selection process is brutal—you’re up against the best in the world, and every tiny detail in your set matters.
Q) Competing at that level must have given you unique insights. What’s the biggest lesson from DMC that Indian DJs should pay attention to?
DJ Johney: The biggest lesson? No shortcuts. This art form requires crazy amounts of effort.
You can’t just pick up a turntable and expect results overnight. In India, many DJs focus only on fame and views, but turntablism is pure skill—it demands respect. If you want to compete at the top level, you have to put in serious work.
Q) Turntablism has always been a niche art form in India. Do you think it’s dying out, or are there still DJs pushing the culture forward?
DJ Johney: In India, turntablism feels like a lost art because most people don’t want to put in the work. They see DJs getting millions of views and think that’s all DJing is. But the real technical side of DJing takes years of practice, and not many are ready for that grind.
Your whole body aches after practice, but people think DJing is just playing music at parties. A lot of DJs here don’t even know turntablism properly.
That said, there are still some DJs keeping the art alive. DJ Skip, my mentor, has been a huge influence, along with Hi2 and DJ KaranB, who are some of the senior DJs pushing the culture forward.
There are also a few upcoming DJs genuinely representing the craft. Partypandit is one name that comes to mind right away, among others, and they definitely deserve more recognition.
Q) Walk us through your practice routine—how many hours do you practice daily, and do you follow a structured approach or let creativity take over?
DJ Johney: I practice at least two hours daily, but when I was competing, I pushed it to eight hours a day.
At one point, I even had a hairline fracture in my hand, but I removed my cast and kept practicing. Once I commit to something, I give it everything.
As for structure, I mix both technical drills and creativity. I’m actually working on a channel called @ScratchSabha, where I’ll break down specific techniques and drills. That’s coming soon!
Q) What’s one piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you started?
DJ Johney: Master the fundamentals. Don’t get into turntablism just for Instagram likes.
This is an art form—respect the game.
A huge shoutout to DJ Johney for taking the time to share his journey and insights. His Top 10 DMC finish is a landmark moment for Indian turntablism, and with upcoming projects like @ScratchSabha, he’s continuing to push the culture forward.
Keep an eye out—big things are coming!
📌 Related Reads from Desi Renaissance
