Beijing offers an interesting electronic music scene. At the age of twenty four, Wang Liang, aka DJ Wordy, has already won the DMC (DJ Mixing Championship) award of China three times. Originally from Shaanxi, in the Northwest of China, this self-taught DJ has already been playing professionally for four and a half years. He tells us his thoughts and feelings about his profession and the Beijing music scene.

How did you become a DJ? What does this profession mean for you?
Several years ago, I started playing the guitar. Then I became interested in decks, and that is how I became a DJ. For me, being a DJ is a little like being the lead singer in a band. I direct everything - the drums, the melodies, the singing... this allows me to play all kinds of music. You need to be very versatile, and a bit like a conductor - he doesn't play any particular instrument, but he must know a little of all of them.  

 How do you organize your time? Do you have a day job, or you devote all your time to being a DJ?
I work as a DJ fulltime. I listen to discs, I play them over and over, I scratch them... it really is a passion. Apart from eating and other basic needs, I focus all my attention on my music. At the moment, the pay is good. And the fact that I am completely devoted to my music has allowed me to become champion of China for the third time in row.

Could you tell us what exactly the DMC is?
Le championnat DMC est un concours international annuel ouvert aux amateurs et aux professionnels. La finale se déroule en automne. Ce championnat regroupe des représentants de plus de 24 pays du monde. C’est un peu comme les Jeux Olympiques pour les DJs. Je viens juste de participer à la finale qui s’est déroulée à Londres.

How did you do at this championship?
Not bad. I ended between the 12^th and the 15^th place. My goal is to rank among the top 10 next time. I'm sure I can make it! The point is that's it is much more difficult for the Chinese. There isn't a real culture, history and organisation for Chinese DJs. Interest in this type of music is still quite new. As a result, we have neither the structure nor the resources to develop in this field, unlike European and American DJs. However, I am positive that in time, our chance will come.

You've been abroad. Could you please tell us the differences between the world of Chinese and European DJs?
I haven't been there enough times to be able to give you a detailed overview. For instance, I was in France, but only for four days. That's a too short period of time. But I think that the main difference lies in the Europeans having a good understanding of electronic music. This music attracts the crowds, people who know and appreciate the work of DJs.

The Europeans love to dance to good music and hear new tunes. In China it's different. If I played for a crowd of just Chinese, no one would dance; it takes at least some foreigners to "warm them up." I think that it's just a matter of habit. In a few years time, the Chinese will appreciate this type of music. They will want to dance and will be more demanding about what I play. At that moment, DJs like me really have our work cut out.