Ie.Merge

ie.Merge (also referred to as I-Emerge, I.Emerge, ie.MERGE and ie.MERG) is an American hip hop mixer who won the world 2004 and 2005 DJ Championships. [http://www.dmcworld.com/technics/worldchampions/] He has won 9 American national titles and 4 world titles.

Early history

Growing up in Northern New Jersey, Merge was heavily influenced by the New York hip hop scene. At the age of 13 he began his DJ journey by djing local parties and practicing at home. Along with artists such as former X-ecutioner Mista Sinista and Q-Bert, he is also influenced by other genres as well, such as drum n bass, rock, jazz and soul.

Merge began to enter DJ battles, and was known for his aggression and technique. Shortly after winning the 2002 ITF US Advancements, Merge was inducted into the respected DJ crew - the 5th Platoon.

Championship DJing

The year of 2002 proved to be the beginnings of what would eventually turn into a career for Merge. He became actively involved at Scratch DJ Academy, a DJ school in New York founded by the late Jam Master Jay. Merge became Head Professor at the Academy where he then developed the curriculum now taught in every scratch/juggling class. He maintained his domination of DJ competitions in the United States. In the next 3 years (36 months) Merge won 35 battles, which factors out to winning 1 battle a month for 3 years straight.

Since 2002, Merge has won 9 national titles and 4 world titles, which is more championship titles in 3 years than any other DJ. He has won every prominent National title in the US as well as world championship titles in every world DJ competition. Ie.MERG’s most prestigious title came at the 2004 DMC World Championship. Ie.MERG became the first to beat 3 time world champion DJ Craze's record and successfully defend his DMC World Title in 2005.

World Champion

In only his 2nd year of participation in the competition, Merge brought the DMC title back to New York, ending a four year hiatus away from America. In winning, he became the sixth American to wear the DMC World championship crown, after Roc Raida, Mix Master Mike, Cash Money, Q-Bert, Craze and others.

Merge has started the transition from battle dj to producer by incorporating his own production into his battle sets.

2005 championships

2005 DMC World DJ Championships World DJ Championship [http://www.dmcworld.com/technics2005/home.asp]

The 2005 Championships took place on Monday 26 September 2005 at Hammersmith Palais, London, United Kingdom.

World DJ Championship:1st: ie.MERG - U.S.:2nd: Pfel - France:3rd: Izoh - Japan

2004 championships

2004 DMC World DJ Championships World DJ Championship [http://www.dmcworld.com/technics/archive/2004/home.asp]

The 2004 Championships took place on Sunday 5 September 2004 at Carling Apollo Hammersmith, London, United Kingdom.

World DJ Championship:1st: I-Emerge - U.S.:2nd: Rafik - Germany:3rd: Dopey - Canada

Video links

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSa1aLr_XoQ Guitar Center World Champion 2004/2005]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5h0qpOPpdA Skratching @ his Crib]

External links

* [http://www.dmcworld.com/home.asp DMCWorld.com]