Best Club/Party DJ

Few DJs work as hard as DJ KLEVER. Some may offer more “exclusive” tracks you can’t hear anywhere else. Others may achieve a smoother-flowing set through tasteful song selection and blends. But Klever actually puts on a show. He cuts, scratches and mashes up pop, rock, R&B, hip-hop and electronic songs into a furious mess. His DJ sets are truly an adventure that can go from cheekily obnoxious to coolly melodic in less than a minute. A former turntable champion who has won awards for his skills, Klever reminds his audience that, at their best, DJs can exhibit as many techniques as a guitarist playing a furious solo.

www.myspace.com/kleverbeats

No Atlanta mixtape DJ has wielded as much influence as DRAMA, his Aphilliates crew and their Gangsta Grillz brand. Before he and Aphilliates member Don Cannon were busted by local authorities (in conjunction with the RIAA) in January, DJ Drama’s mixtapes had grown so popular that the best installments — particularly his Dedication 2 edition with buzzy rap star Lil Wayne — drew serious critical analysis in newspapers and magazines. Months after the raid, which made national headlines, DJ Drama quietly began pressing up mixtapes again. The difference is his recent mixtapes, such as American Gangsta Part 2: Hood Nigga Diaries featuring Gorilla Zoe, are approved and released in conjunction with the artist’s label, Block Entertainment. Still a player in the game, it’s hard to foresee anyone else having DJ Drama’s unique impact.

www.gangstagrillz.com

Having lived his entire life in the ever-increasing bulge that we call Atlanta (we know this ‘cause his mom was once a Loafer), DJ DREW VAN ATTEN knows controlled mess, which could help explain his affinity for dropping scuffed, skuzzy tech- and electro-house. Around these parts, industrial and industrious mutation is a way of life — iconic buildings leap up overnight. Same goes for Van Atten’s turntable trajectory. It’s almost like one minute he’s a fist in the crowd, and next thing, he’s got the crowds in his fist — on all the haute bills opening for the likes of Damian Lazarus, Uffie and other Cleaning Up the Dirty South events. It all adds up to a metallic-meets-melody, bleepin’ good time. Exhibiting a savvy sense of selection, Van Atten is hopefully an ear to stay.
www.myspace.com/drewvanatten.