An epic DJ battle will rage during Winter Music Conference 2013. But this one won't be fought behind the decks. It's going down on the basketball court.
Yes, the Red Blue Classic is WMC's inaugural DJ basketball game — a chance for enthusiasts of the sport (and Miami isn't short on them) to see some of their favorite international EDM stars go hard in the paint.
Best of all: The RBC will donate 100 percent of its proceeds to Dade County's nonprofit large-breed dog rescue, Big Hearts for Big Dogs Rescue. "Other than music, my two loves are dogs and basketball," renowned DJ-producer and RBC mastermind Manik tells New Times. "I've played basketball my entire life, and if I wasn't lucky enough to pursue music the way I have, I easily would have done something with basketball.
"[Red Blue Classic] is about taking it to the next level," he explains. "Every year, both musicians and fans congregate in the same city and participate in WMC. It's so rare to have everyone in the same place, so why not take advantage of this and do something different and charitable? I think it's important to experiment. And when it's all for a charity, it's even better."
Participating DJs include international heavyweights such as Lee Foss, Matt Tolfrey, and MK, along with hometown heroes Oscar G, Jesse Perez, and Diego Martinelli. So things ought to get interesting.
"All of these guys are huge basketball fans and legitimate basketball players," Manik says. "As much as it's fun to goof off and compete against each other in this way, I also wanted to pick people who I know can play a real game.
"All of these guys are going to bring it! We know these guys can deliver musically, so let's see them deliver athletically in front of the same fans who respect them in the music community.
"Finally, and most important," the RBC skipper concludes, "these dogs need our help. So save an extra 20 bucks and chip in to save these animals. Support us, please!"