The ITF Dutch Finals was the last party of a four days party week. It was queensday 1999. 30th of April is the day we, the Dutchies, celebrate the anniversary of the Dutch Queen Mother. Whatever, every reason for a party is a good reason. The mood was laid back for the only reason that everybody was too tired to be active and too broke to get drunk.

Still Boeng Diepie Productions in association with ITF succeeded to have a packed venue. The Final was hosted by MC Metropolitan. The winner of 'Bobbito's Battle Of The Demo's' and the 1st edition of 'School Of HardKnocks'. Like always, not everything went according to schedule. But MC Metropolitan proved to be able to fill up the gaps with freestyles backed up by Kid Sublime. And of course performed some of his tracks. Although it's sometimes hard to understand the MC because of his lazy articulation, he got some dope lyrics and nasty one liners. The Desparado's and B-Boy Connection DJ Edson had the job to make the people dance. And showed their love for the new Mobb Deep record. But playing it three times was a little bit too much of the good stuff. Performance by DJ Swift Rock and DJ Melo-D both off the hook! And a supa dupa fat showcase by Arsonists from NYC, who woke everybody up with their performance (with the help of an overpowered soundsystem). Their show included Turn It Loose from Amsterdam and Free Zone from Paris. Free Zone delivered some mad humor with their breaking.

So what happened with all the competing DJ's? First they showcased them self. First up was DJ Rockid who even made Puff Daddys David Bowie rip off sound hardcore. DJ Champ played around with the sound of a sound disturbance. DNS was fresh: "I like to introduce myself. My name is", by Biz Markie. But even within three minutes DNS dropped back in monotone beat juggling. It was amazing that he received the most cheers when he just let the record play. DJ Maniac and DNS were the only one to use ChuckD's classic 'Oh Aah', boring. DJ Extraa gave some extra. Coming in unannounced with Big Daddy Cane and ending with a good battle sample: 'Ill beat your ass'. DJ Tango delivered the most original intro but one channel broke down. So after switching turntables he continued with his set but messed up. MC Metropolitan put it in the right words: "I don't know what happened, but something happened." Back to the lab and practice, son. DJ Broky B opened with some goodies: LL's dear Yvette and Whodini. But went broke, out of spirit. A boring set followed. As number 10 it was DJ Kypski's turn. He showed why he won last year and would win this year. C'est simple. All scratches and beat juggling on beat and perfect. DJ Rachi told why Eindhoven is still on the map. Mad original and tight. DJ Iree did something what should be forbidden: do not back spin with a break, which contains a scratch. DJ Grace used a nice flute sound but lost the speed by too long beat juggling. DJ Yodaw made the same error as DJ Iree. Al thought every beat of the Ultra Magnetics is fat. It's not done to broadcast an other dj's scratch in your set.

And then it became 'face to face'...
In the semi final it was Kypski vs Grace, Rockid vs Broky B, Rachi vs DNS and Camp vs Extraa. Broky B messed up with once more a boring set. It's a shame because the man can scratch tight. DNS showed that no mistakes are allowed: perfect! Rachi failed in the last set. DJ Extraa ended with the dope as: "Slide, slide sliberdy slide, I give you niggas a new dick to ride." Auch.

So it became...
Kypski vs Extraa and Rockid vs DNS. Kypski came in with some mad Latin records. Extraa with "Doe Maar" but couldn't match. DNS failed to beat DJ Rockid.

The final...
Kypski vs Rockid. After some damn good sets the final was an anticlimax. DJ Kypski kept up the quality but with a boring set. The reason he won: at least his set sounded as something. DJ Rockid has a great talent and great skills. Sadly including picking impossible breaks to do tricks with that never can sound dope. Although everybody was really too tired for a party it was a nice night. DJ Rachi and DJ DNS sounded the most promising vinyl junkies to battle each other next year.

AQ & Esther