Chris Karns

Last updated
Chris Karns
Chris Karns - Rane - 2016 NAMM Show (2016-01-23 14.08.37 by Daniel Larsen) clip.jpg
Chris Karns at 2016 NAMM Show
(Rane Corporation booth)
Background information
Birth nameChristopher Karns
Also known asDJ Vajra
Born (1979-01-25) January 25, 1979 (age 45)
Colorado, United States
Origin Denver, Colorado
Genres Dubstep, Funk, Hip hop, Moombahton, Trap, Turntablism
Occupation(s) Disc jockey, Producer, Remixer
Instrument(s) Turntable, Sampler
Years active1996–present
LabelsColemine Records
Website www.chriskarns.com

Christopher Karns (born January 25, 1979) is an American turntablist, who won the 2011 DMC World DJ Championships. [1] He has also won the 2002 WSTC World Championships, six DMC Regional Championships, and three Redbull Thre3style Championships. [2] [3]

He has produced songs for Method Man, Ahmad, Mayer Hawthorne and many more. Chris has also shared stages around the world with industry legends such as Run-D.M.C., A Tribe Called Quest, Common, Mos Def, Wu-Tang, and many others. He is formerly the official touring DJ for Yelawolf [3] and is currently touring with and an official band member for Pretty Lights.

In April 2013, he auditioned as one of the nineteen contestants for the third season of VH1's DJ reality show, Master of the Mix . [3] [4] Karns was one of 3 finalist, ultimately placing 2nd in the finals.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aerosmith</span> American rock band

Aerosmith is an American rock band formed in Boston in 1970. The group consists of Steven Tyler (vocals), Joe Perry (guitar), Tom Hamilton (bass), Joey Kramer (drums), and Brad Whitford (guitar). Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has also incorporated elements of pop rock, heavy metal, glam metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many subsequent rock artists. Aerosmith is sometimes referred to as "the Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". The primary songwriting team of Tyler and Perry is sometimes referred to as the "Toxic Twins".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andy C</span> English DJ and record producer (born 1976)

Andrew Michael Clarke is an English DJ, record producer and co-founder of RAM Records, a label in the drum and bass genre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walk This Way</span> 1975 single by Aerosmith

"Walk This Way" is a song by the American rock band Aerosmith. Written by Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, the song was originally released as the second single from the album Toys in the Attic (1975). It peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in early 1977, part of a string of successful hit singles for the band in the 1970s. In addition to being one of the songs that helped break Aerosmith into the mainstream in the 1970s, it also helped revitalize their career in the 1980s when it was covered by hip hop group Run-D.M.C. on their 1986 album Raising Hell. This cover was a touchstone for the new musical subgenre of rap rock, or the melding of rock and hip hop. It became an international hit, reaching number 4 on the Billboard charts and becoming the first hip hop single to reach the top five on the charts, and won both groups a Soul Train Music Award for Best Rap Single in 1987 Soul Train Music Awards. Both versions are in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Williams (snooker player)</span> Welsh snooker player

Mark James Williams is a Welsh professional snooker player who is a three-time World Champion, winning in 2000, 2003 and 2018. Often noted for his long potting ability, Williams has earned the nickname "The Welsh Potting Machine", and is regarded as one of the greatest snooker players of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronnie O'Sullivan</span> English snooker player (born 1975)

Ronald Antonio O'Sullivan is an English professional snooker player. Widely recognised as one of the most talented and accomplished players in snooker history, he has won the World Snooker Championship seven times, a modern-era record he holds jointly with Stephen Hendry. He has also won a record eight Masters titles and a record eight UK Championship titles for a total of 23 Triple Crown titles, the most achieved by any player. He holds the record for the most ranking titles, with 41, and has held the top ranking position multiple times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Ian</span> American guitarist

Scott Ian is an American musician, best known as the rhythm guitarist, lyricist and co-founder of the thrash metal band Anthrax, of which he is the sole continuous member. Ian is also the guitarist, lyricist, and a founding member of the crossover thrash band Stormtroopers of Death, and is the rhythm guitarist for the metal bands the Damned Things and Mr. Bungle. He has hosted The Rock Show on VH1 and has appeared on VH1's I Love the... series, Heavy: The Story of Metal, and SuperGroup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Qbert</span> American DJ

Richard Quitevis known by his stage name DJ Qbert or Qbert, is an American turntablist and composer who has heavily influenced the History of DJing. He was awarded America's Best DJ in 2010, was DMC USA Champion 1991 (solo) and achieved titles as DMC World Champion in 1992 and 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darryl McDaniels</span> American rapper (born 1964)

Darryl Matthews McDaniels, also commonly known by his stage name DMC, is an American rapper. He is a founding member of the hip hop group Run-DMC, and is considered one of the pioneers of hip hop culture.

DJ Cheese is a disc jockey and record producer who won the 1986 DMC World Final in London, showcasing the art of scratching in turntablism for the first time. He also appeared in the 1986 UK tour with Run-DMC. He is known as ‘master of the crossfader’.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mix Master Mike</span> American DJ

Michael Schwartz, better known by his stage name Mix Master Mike, is an American turntablist best known for his work with Beastie Boys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Craze</span> Nicaraguan DJ and record producer

DJ Craze is a Nicaraguan American DJ and record producer who plays hip hop, Miami bass, trap, breaks, dubstep, drum and bass, and practices turntablism. He was, until 2020, the only solo DJ in history to win the DMC World DJ Championships trophy three times consecutively (1998–2000).

ie.Merge is an American hip hop turntablist who won the 2004 and 2005 DMC World DJ Championships. He has won nine American national titles and four world titles, and is known for his highly technical routines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A-Trak</span> Musical artist

Alain Macklovitch, known by his stage name A-Trak, is a Canadian DJ, record producer, and record executive. He came to prominence in the late 2000s as an international club DJ and remix artist, known for incorporating highly technical turntable skills and scratching into his genre-spanning work. He is also president of the record label Fool's Gold, which was founded in 2007, and is credited for developing the careers of artists such as Kid Cudi, Danny Brown, and Flosstradamus. Among other collaborative projects, he is part of the DJ duo Duck Sauce with Armand Van Helden and was nominated for a Grammy in 2012 for their song "Barbra Streisand".

DJ Woody is a prolific DJ and turntablist born in Burnley, Lancashire UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C2C (group)</span> French musical group

C2C is a French musical group formed in 1998 in the city of Nantes. The collaboration group consists of four French DJs: Atom and pFeL from Beat Torrent and 20Syl and Greem from Hocus Pocus. Each member of the group uses his turntable as an instrument, recreating in turn drums, bass guitars, scratching a guitar riff, or simulating a brass instrument.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DMC World DJ Championships</span> Turntablism world championship competition

The DMC World DJ Championships is an annual DJ competition founded by the Disco Mix Club (DMC) which began in 1985. It has been described as a "pre-eminent competitive DJ event".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fever One</span>

Carter "Fever One" McGlasson is a breakdancer and DJ originally from Seattle, Washington who relocated to New York City in 1997, and eventually joined the world-famous Rock Steady Crew. He is most well known for his 'gunzblazin' style which he developed while studying with his mentors Icey Ice and Lil' Lep of the New York City Breakers.

Kim Sæther, better known as DJ Noize is a Copenhagen-based Danish hip-hop-DJ. His company, Noizeworks places all his activities under one moniker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diggy Simmons</span> American rapper

Daniel Dwayne "Diggy" Simmons III is an American rapper, singer and actor from Queens, New York City. The fourth child of Joseph "Rev. Run" Simmons of Run DMC, he began his recording career in 2009 and signed with Atlantic Records the following year. In 2011, his single "Do It Like You" and guest appearance on Mindless Behavior's single "Mrs. Right" marked his first and only entries on the Billboard Hot 100. The former preceded the release of debut studio album, Unexpected Arrival (2012), which peaked at number 11 on the Billboard 200 and saw positive critical reception. He was chosen as part of XXL magazine's 2011 Annual Freshman List, and joined Lupe Fiasco's short-lived rap collective, All City Chess Club as its youngest member that same year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Run-DMC</span> American hip hop group

Run-DMC was an American hip hop group from Hollis, Queens New York City, formed in 1983 by Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and Jason Mizell. Run-DMC is regarded as one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop culture and especially one of the most famous hip hop acts of the 1980s. Along with Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, and Public Enemy, the group pioneered new-school hip hop music and helped usher in the golden age of hip hop. The group was among the first to highlight the importance of the MC and DJ relationship.

References

  1. "World DJ Championships History". DMC World DJ Championship. Archived from the original on 12 February 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  2. "World DMC Champion DJ VAJRA". Nee Hao Magazine. Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 "DJ Chris Karns". VH1. Archived from the original on April 10, 2013. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  4. "Cast Bios". VH1. Archived from the original on April 8, 2013. Retrieved 2013-04-01.