As the crowds began to enter the building, you could tell it was going to be legendary. Lines both wrapped around the building like a cobra around its prey, with anxious anticipation of excitement.
Upon entering the packed house, music played as the reverb from the 808s in every song pounded through the wooden floor. There are 2 teams of 4 disc jockeys (DJs) led by 2 team captains. Red team: Don Rey, Maiya Papaya, Vrywvy, Gallixc led by Houston’s own DJ Mr.Rogers. Blue Team: Anarchy, Tony Styles, Mark Cutz, and Doesitall led by DJ Hed!
Knowing Houston, how could you not know that these are super DJs in the city, each that have made a name for themselves from the ground up. I guess this is why Red Bull names this the Turn It Up Competition. Everything was based off of themes provided by Red Bull, in which case, they, the DJs, don’t know what the topic of performance was going to pop up on the Jumbotron behind them. Each round, different themes. It was about performance, transitions, sound choice, and most of all crowd control. Beginning with 3mins per side, next round of 3mins back and forth between teams, and finally, 1min each for their finale.
As DJ Hed was the first to break the tables, he erupted and ignited the bar as he played some of Houston’s powerhouses such as Trae Tha Truth, Meg The Stallion, and a few others. Nevertheless, he carried the mixes with small breaks, allowing the crowd to fill in the lyrics, including a tribute to late rapper Rich Homie Quan, who passed earlier this week. The bar was set high coming out of the gate and it continued to be pushed up!
Now let’s get into the competitors.
DJ Tony Styles & Anarchy (red) vs Mark Cutz & Doesitall
Theme choice: Tex-Mex
Each group has 1 min to prepare. Let’s see how this unfolded.
Anarchy came with the hits and who doesn’t love the incomparable Selena? He finished strong but Mark Cutz didn’t come to play games at all. He decided to do something spectacular! He played all of the hits we grew up on from pitbull to daddy yankee, and even Elvis Crespo, Suavamente.
Round 2: Ladies
Cutz was cutting up as he remixed Travis Porter with Khia and Mariah Carey.
Anarchy delivered with Single Ladies by Beyoncé and scratched something serious, like this was NYC in the 90s, truly mesmerizing. This battle was similar to what the legends talk about in NYC about their experience at the Playground. Imagine Jordan, Kobe, Magic and Bird playing on the All Star team scrimmaging. That’s exactly how this is.
Final Round: each DJ gets one theme
Anarchy – Festival
Something that actually is his strength because keep in might he was Pitbulls DJ, who is notorious for his mark on festivals. The bass and various music mixes felt as though I was at a real festival.
DJ Doesitall threw ones into the crowd, which made them scramble to the ground lol as Mark continued his House music mixes, the crowd blew up in raging cheers and dance as Lil Jon was heard throughout the club. How can you not get hyped when Shots comes on?
Voting: Blue team wins by a landslide.
All goers were equipped with a wristband that turns colors by the flick of a button on the side. This is for the count of or perspective of how much more colors you see more than the other.
Musical Guest: Trae tha truth, arose from the back of the stage, stood on top of the DJ table and proceeded to acapella rap DJ Mr.Rogers first song that went big “Swang”.
Before the next set: DJ Mr.Rogers
Turned it all the way up and mastered it! From Houston All Stars to iconic 2000 songs including Lincoln Park and Miley Cyrus. Did I forget to mention he also played Kanye, JayZ, Dipset, YG, Webbie, 50cent … etc and not in that order.
Next set versus: Maiya Papaya & Don Rey (red) vs DJ Vrywvy & Gallixc
Maiya Papaya & Don Rey
Played a Fat Man Scoop tribute with a mixture of Usher and none other than Michael Jackson. Who knew Uaher and MJ would mesh so well, makes you wonder if the 2 actually has a song together. However towards the end they lost the crowd with the house mix and Beyoncé, then papaya picked it back up with Lose Control by Missy Elliot ft. Ciara
Vrywvy & Gallixc
Theme: the Goats
Technical difficulties started the set a little shaky which prompted a short pause… but it quickly dissolved.
Out the gate A Milli by Lil Wayne got the crowd rapping like we were when this fire was released. This song bled into Lollipop, another hit by the GOAT himself. The end the set Go DJ capped it out with the Ms. Officer instrumental.
Next round topic: Beatking (1mins of prep)
Back and forth round
BeatKing, was a rapper and music producer from Houston, Texas. Known as the “Club God,” he gained popularity for his distinctive style that blends club, trap, and Southern hip-hop music. BeatKing’s music often features catchy beats, humorous and raunchy lyrics, and an energetic delivery, which has made him a staple in club and party scenes, particularly in the South.
BeatKing first garnered attention with his mixtapes and his viral hit “Throw Dat Ahh” in 2010. His breakout song “Then Leave” featuring Queendome Come (2020) became a major success, going viral on TikTok and receiving millions of streams. His humor, internet-savviness, and ability to create catchy hooks have contributed to his consistent presence in the underground hip-hop scene.
As a producer, BeatKing was known for his heavy bass-driven beats and upbeat tempo, perfect for twerking and dance-friendly tracks. His “Club God” mixtape series has been a major part of his career, blending Southern hip-hop elements with comedic and explicit content.
BeatKing has collaborated with several artists, including 2 Chainz, DJ Chose, and Juicy J, solidifying his place in the broader hip-hop landscape, particularly in the Southern rap scene. Unfortunately he passed away at the age of 39, and there was truly a silence over the industry.
However, the DJs kept his memory alive and did his legacy justice. The red team had the crowd moving and bouncing with some of BK’s new music he released before his untimely departure from this world.
Blue team: played his thick remix with DJ chose, who was also one of the hosts.
Red team: killed it with BK shake that ass bitch with Pony – Ginuwine instrumental
Blue Team: some of the mixes were not landing, which had the crowd feeling discouraged and confused.
Red Team: placed a bounce instrumental behind one of his many classic hits.
Last round: R&B Vibes
BT: from Mary J. To Tpain to Mariah Carey to Usher the crowd sung word for word, bar for bar like as a collective we went through a breakup.
They came like the rent was due.
Final Round Decision: Red Team Advances.
Special Performance: DJ Chose
Special tribute to Beatking, acknowledging him and giving him his flowers “stop saying when they pass away that you love them and tell them when there here”. He produced some of the worlds greatest hits for NBA Youngboy, BeatKing, Lil Durk, FredoBang, Kevin Gates, and his first platinum song he wrote for himself, “Thick”.
At the end of the night, the team who came out on top were DJ Maiya Papaya & DJ Don Rey as they battled DJ Mark Cutz & DJ Doesitall!
