February 13, 2012
A panel of celebrity DJ judges crowned San Francisco-based DJ Risk One as the 2012 Flavor Battle Champion. The 2012 McDonald's Flavor Battle DJ competition finale took place at the Miami Beach nightclub Cameo last week, where three DJs each representing a McDonald's burger took to the turntables in a battle to win the $10,000 grand prize.
DJ Risk One represented the Big Mac and beat out first runner-up DJ E-V from Cleveland, and DJ Alizay from Washington, D.C., to claim the title.
Judged on crowd appeal, mixing skills, technique and performance flow, each finalist demonstrated their skills in a freestyle battle. McDonald's and Complex Media kicked off the 2012 Flavor Battle competition in November with a total of 24 DJs representing three regions of the U.S. and three of McDonald's burgers — the Angus Third Pounder, Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese and Big Mac.
Hosted by Doug E. Fresh, this year's Flavor Battle finale was judged by veteran celebrity DJs Spinderella, Miami's DJ Irie, DJ Skribble and the reigning 2011 Flavor Battle Champion, DJ JayCeeOh. Rapper/singer/actress Teyana Taylor provided live Twitter updates and interviews.
"Once again, McDonald's is proving that we can deliver tasty burgers and hot beats to our customers," said Rob Jackson, director of U.S. marketing, McDonald's USA. "Flavor Battle gets more exciting each year as we recognize the most talented of mix masters throughout the country."
Flavor Battle was conducted with Complex Media, a men's style and lifestyle network dedicated to men ages18-34. McDonald's launched Flavor Battle in 2009 as an extension of McDonald's 365Black initiative.
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