BEASTMODE: Australia’s First DMC World Champion on Craft, Culture and Carrying the Torch

There are moments in any music culture when a single achievement reshapes the conversation entirely, when decades of groundwork finally culminate in something that transcends personal triumph and speaks to something bigger. For Australian turntablism, that moment arrived in October 2025 when Sydney’s BEASTMODE claimed the Open category title at the Technics DMC World DJ Championships in Tokyo, becoming the first Australian in the competition’s 40 year history to bring home a world title.

If you’ve followed DJ culture in this country for any length of time, you’ll know the name. Previously known as DJ SAMRAI, BEASTMODE has built a reputation as a master of both battle and open format performance, his style bridging raw turntable technique and crowd driving party rock in ways that feel increasingly rare in an era where technical showmanship and dancefloor sensibility often exist in separate lanes. His competitive résumé is second to none, with titles across nearly every major competition platform: two time Red Bull Australian Champion, Australian DMC and ITF Scratch Champion, vice champion at the 2019 World Goldie Awards, and third place at the 2017 Red Bull Thre3style World Championships.

But numbers and accolades only tell part of the story. What makes BEASTMODE compelling is the journey behind them: the crate digging sessions, the hours refining routines, the commitment to keeping vinyl culture and hip hop’s DJ traditions alive whilst remaining relevant to contemporary audiences. Speaking after his victory in Tokyo, he reflected on the magnitude of the moment: the experience was beyond incredible, and the crowd were beyond hyped, he noted, adding that he could die happy knowing he was the first artist from Australia to win a DMC World title.

For this issue of Decoded, we sat down with BEASTMODE to talk craft, culture, and what it means to carry the torch for Australian turntablism on the world stage ahead of this weekend’s party with Soul of Sydney, alongside a dope local lineup including SHAN FRENZIE, PHIL TOKE, SOUL OF SYDNEY DJ’S & FRIENDS. Hosted by Emcee Queen MIRRAH.

You’ve just been crowned 2025 DMC World Champion in Japan. How does it feel to finally hold that title after years of competing at the highest level, and has it fully sunk in yet?

It feels fantastic to finally be recognized for the years of dedicated hard work. For a long time, I believed I might not achieve my dream of becoming a world champion. I came close a few times, but I always fell just short of that final spot. Every day, it sinks in more deeply as life has been nonstop since my victory. I am incredibly happy to finally enjoy this achievement.

The DMC finals aren’t just about showing up and doing your thing, there’s months of preparation behind a six-minute routine. Can you walk us through your creative process for this year’s set? How do you balance innovation with the technical fundamentals the judges are looking for?

I believe all of this comes from years of preparing for the moment. During that time, I learned it’s best to be as creative as possible without confusing people. It took me a while to find the right balance between being technical and being understandable. I used to think that being the most daring made people see my work in a positive light, but sometimes being too daring can be misunderstood as just being overly crazy. Finding balance, patience, and staying calm were really important for this set. Even when I stay calm, I sometimes still get carried away in a fun way!

Be honest with us: when you were putting this routine together, did you genuinely believe this was the year you’d take the title? Or were there moments of doubt, especially knowing the calibre of DJs you’d be facing?

Being honest I knew I would win the Nationals, I knew I was going to Japan for the world finals. It was my time. My mind set for world finals was a little different, I wanted to make my mark and I knew that with the set I created it would be hard to beat. I was incredibly calm throughout the process, and a part of me just felt like it was my time to shine among the best in the world. Everything seemed to fall perfectly into place during this journey. It almost felt like a higher power was guiding and helping me along the way, which was such a unique feeling given how perfectly everything aligned each day. I’ve never felt so peaceful and relaxed at a competition before.

As Australia’s number one turntablist, you’re now carrying the flag for an entire country’s DJ culture. Does that responsibility weigh on you, or does it motivate you to keep pushing forward?

I’m always motivated to push forward. After so many years in this, I wouldn’t have achieved what I have without constantly striving. I feel I’ve inspired many others, proving that someone from Australia can go toe to toe with the world’s best and come out on top.

You’re now part of a lineage that stretches back 40 years, with DMC champions who’ve become absolute legends in this culture. Do you see yourself as a role model for the next generation of Australian DJs and turntablists coming up through the ranks?

I believe so! We have so many talented DJs here that I’m proud to be the one they look to for that inspiration to achieve. Being part of an elite list of DJs who have become World Champion to me is the highest honour. So being a role model to many is something I am proud to have achieved.

Let’s talk about the actual finals in Japan. It was the 40th anniversary of the Technics DMC Championships, and you were up against some seriously heavy competition. What was the atmosphere like backstage, and what was going through your mind in those final moments before you performed?

Backstage was interesting, I was on my own most of the time. Everyone was off still practicing, while I was playing out on a lounge organising places to go visit in Tokyo, I may have taken a small nap haha but when I did see other competitors I helped try to calm down the nerves they were facing. I’ve been to world finals enough times to be able to deal with it, so when some of the other DJs I could see were feeling the pressure, I just tried to hype them up, guide them through it and overcome the nerves. That must sound odd knowing I was helping the very DJs I was competing against. I wasn’t concerned in that way, even though it’s competition, a part of me felt the need to help those who may need it.

When you think about DMC champions like Craze, A-Trak, Qbert, and Kentaro, do you feel like you’re now walking in that hall of legends? Does that legacy intimidate you or inspire you?

I mean, being close friends with craze all these years he has always had that level of distinction and stature. Where now, I feel like I’ve gained something we both share in. And I get to be a smartass now to him as I’m too a world champion haha  I’ve always been inspired by the greats and never felt intimidated. The greatest champion DJs all have always been the humblest. Me and Atrak have known each other for many years, the same with qbert, me and Kentaro competed against each other and have continued our friendship since then. And all those DJs who are champions never hesitate in wanting to inspire others, that’s what also makes them legends.

Everyone who reaches the top in turntablism has someone they looked up to, someone whose sets made them want to master the craft. Who’s your DMC idol, and what was it about their approach that resonated with you?

Craze without a doubt. Aside from being friends I will always view him as the GOAT. He just has a way of thinking which is outside of this system. That man is an alien from another planet who just loves DJing. Being able to see things differently is a rare skill. To be able to look years ahead and create in a way that others wouldn’t even consider is still beyond me. I owe my win to him as he was the DJ who pulled me aside and told me I need to calm down on everything. When I did I get the most praise, the moment I switched to my usual craziness it didn’t work. Which was proven at the goodies world championships. He said “don’t go crazy”, I didn’t and then placed first for the championship round, then I went crazy and didn’t win the world finals. He had his “I told you so moment” so from that point I knew I had to maintain the right level in order to win.

You’re back in Sydney now, and you’ve got Soul of Sydney coming up this week. After the intensity of competing in Japan, what’s it like to come home and play for your own crowd? Is there a different kind of pressure or expectation?

This would be my first time playing and headlining at soul of Sydney, so I am beyond excited for this. Probably more pressure than world finals to be honest haha. But I’m going to have fun and especially have fun with my Soul of Sydney peoples. I am excited to bring the vibes on Sunday and share the music I grew up on, music that gives me the most joy. It’s going to be an amazing day.

When you’re preparing for a club set versus a competition routine, is it a completely different headspace? How do you approach rocking a dancefloor compared to impressing a panel of Judges?

Completely different. Every DJ loves rocking a dancefloor, and creating a vibe. This can be achieved just by being yourself and selecting the tunes that will get them moving. Competition DJing is a lot more creative based, more explosive where you are trying to create wow moments. Moments that you wouldn’t get to experience outside of the comp. I do try to bridge that gap by being an exciting DJ to watch and listen to. Another way to bring balance to both. I know I’d rather enjoy trying to impress a dancefloor of people than a panel of judges haha it’s a lot of pressure trying to prove you are the best of the best.

Catch DJ BEASTMODE alongside a dope local lineup including SHAN FRENZIE, PHIL TOKE, SOUL OF SYDNEY DJ’S & FRIENDS in Sydney, Australia this weekend

Tickets available here https://soulofsydney.org/event 

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