“I knew from a very young age that this was what I wanted to do for my life.” — DJ Spell

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DJ Spell is a world champion turntablist, B-Boy, graffiti artist, beat-maker, te reo Māori tutor, musical tutor, graphic designer, and an artist in general.

Some of his credentials: 

• 1st place in: NZ Red Bull Thre3style Battle, Australasian IDA Battle, NZ DMC Battles (twice). World DMC Online - first NZer to win an international DJ competition 
• 2nd in the World DMC DJ Battle
• Many, many more.

In this remote kōrero crossing the Covid lock-down borders of Aotearoa and Australia, Spell shares his journey from growing up in Hamilton under the wing of Aotearoa hip hop legends, to where he is now, travelling the world as a turntablist, living a life he loves. We talk about quitting the dream, doubling down on one focus to become great, the art of thinking differently, mentors and his intentional learning and practice routines. 

Spell talks about finding passion as an artist and how feedback makes a difference to confidence.

We also talked a little about learning and the number of different lanes of art Spell plays in, here he is in the lane he's most known for: being a master of the DJ artform.

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Resources and mentions

• Nga iwi o Tainui - book

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