The sensational lineup of legendary turntablists and cutting-edge talents have been announced for the 40th edition of the Technics DMC World DJ Championship, which lands in Tokyo from October 10th–12th. Following the global triumph of DMC39 in Paris, DMC40 promises to raise the bar higher than ever as the world’s premier turntablism event celebrates its milestone anniversary in Asia for the first time.
The famed DMC Opening Party in Shibuya at Studio Freedom kicks off on Friday 10th October – hosted by Monkey Shoulder where 30 DMC international branches introduce crowds to their national champions – with exclusive performances from Japan’s first lady of the turntables, DJ Sarasa, Taiwan superstar DJ QuestionMark and India’s pioneering DJ URI. All this and a special surprise Monkey Shoulder ‘cocktail set’ from World Team Champion JFB… seeing is believing!
The unmissable showcases truly start on Saturday 11th October at O-East with headliner Skratch Bastid, the original party-rocking megastar and one of the biggest hip hop DJs on the planet. In sensational news, Kireek, the most decorated Team Champions in DMC history (2007–11) will reform for DMC40 for one night only.
Three-time World Champion Craze also returns to supply the beats and host The Classic category, while West Coast pioneers The Invisbl Skratch Piklz (the three-man turntablist tag team of DJ Qbert, Shortkut, and D-Styles) unleash a specially crafted DMC40 set.
Japan’s first global DJ hero, DJ Kentaro (2002 World Champion), will deliver a special showcase accompanied by the incredible Space Tak (Takuya Nakamura), destined to be one of biggest moments in DMC’s 40-year history.
Also stepping up on Saturday is one of the most respected figures on the world turntablist scene – Dilated and Beat Junkies legend DJ Babu. No DMC World Final would be complete without the reigning Classic Champion DJ Fly displaying his spectacular skills that took the 2024 title in Paris.
And rounding out the Saturday lineup, UK-born JFB will present a World Champion showcase ahead of DMC41’s 2026 return to London, bringing the total of DMC World Champions on the Tokyo stage to seven.
Sunday October 12th is all about The Open Final at Harlem (presented by AlphaTheta) – the dynamic category launched last year in Paris that saw Portugal’s Stereossauro lift the first title. DMC is ecstatic to stage a headline set and DMC debut from Tokyo fireball Nasthug as one of the most in demand artists on the planet having helped reshape Tokyo’s underground hip hop scene.
She’s joined by the rare talent DJ KOCO whose mesmerising 7″ juggling vinyl sets are the stuff of legend. And of course, no World Final would be complete without the man Craze supplying crowds with a very special showcase set.
DMC organiser, Dan Prince, said: “Our 40th anniversary in Tokyo is more than a milestone—it’s a celebration of the culture, creativity and community that have driven DMC for four decades. We’ve brought together true pioneers and cutting-edge talents: from Skratch Bastid’s party-rocking energy and Kireek’s one-night-only reunion to DJ Kentaro’s historic showcase and Nasthug’s electric debut. Each performance reflects the evolution of turntablism and its global impact, and we can’t wait to share these unforgettable moments with both longtime fans and newcomers at DMC40.”
Tickets are on sale now at www.dmcdjchamps.com for YEN 5,200 per day (approx £26). Further announcements, including the DMC finalists and special activations, are coming soon.