Red Bull Turn It Up DJ battle unfolding at Belly Up Aspen

It’s time to get your DJ dance party on at Red Bull Turn It Up, a DJ battle at Belly Up Aspen on Wednesday, April 16. 

Red Bull Turn It Up presents its “One Theme: One Mix: Who’s Got the Crowd? You Decide!” interactive event, where attendees choose which DJ turns it up the most. The evening kicks off at 9 p.m. and the competition begins at 10 p.m. 

“I went to it last year, that was the coolest event,” said Aspen-based DJ Blake Get Back Here. Blake Get Back Here played at the Aspen Highlands closing party at the Merry-Go-Round restaurant on Sunday, April 13, and will be opening for GoldFish at Belly Up Aspen on April 19. “Everyone had so much style. The DJs were great.”

Twin DJ duo Angel and Dren from New York will host the event. Four DJs from across America will battle it out in one vs. one, back-to-back DJ battles with a surprise theme that DJs will use to create the best mix on the spot. 

“I liked the layout,” Blake Get Back Here said. “I liked how the DJ’s had 30 seconds to gather their song.” 

Competitor Fly Hendrix, a DJ and producer formerly known as Cross Colors, said she doesn’t “really know what’s going to happen.”

“I just think about what will get ME going if I was them, and I trust in that, and let it ride,” she said. “If I’m not getting pumped, then I’m not playing the right music as far as I’m concerned. We should all be getting pumped together, that’s ideal.”

Hendrix spends her time between Cape Town, South Africa, Brooklyn, New York, and California. Along with having a degree in ethnomusicology, she founded the Cape Town party “Vinyl Digz” and Soul City Lab. She’s been touted as a storyteller who uses music and vinyl to transport listeners. 

“I’m excited to be part of it all and contribute my music to the frequency and intentions of everyone here,” said Hendrix. “It’s a beautiful collaboration and meeting of the minds.” 

Denver and LA-based competitor DJ CRL CRRLL adds another perspective. 

“I enjoy hearing about people’s musical interests and observing the room’s energy; it’s a very fun and unique experience,” said CRL CRRLL, who is known for having creativity with open-format DJ sets. He’s shared the stage with Anderson .Paak, Sam Gellaitry, Kaytranada, Sango, and Jamie XX, and been featured at events like Art Basel Miami, SXSW, Treefort, and The UMS.

Next up is competitor DJ Kelly Green, a turntablist known for her producing high-energy sets and fluidly blending genres. She’s had residencies at the Virgin Hotel and the Ace in New Orleans, her hometown. She’s toured with Curren$y and Jay Electronica.

Another competitor is up-and-comer and multi-genre artist DJ Milhouse from Queen’s, New York. He became the go-to DJ while a student at Hampton University, and continues to ascend in the music scene working for Nike, Jordan, Footlocker, and Dreamville.

The winning DJ will receive a trophy and the title of Red Bull Turn It Up champion. Belly Up Aspen is a 450-capacity venue, so Blake Get Back Here commends the live music site for having DJ competitions and local bands. 

“I’m excited to hear how the music sounds and feels all together in that space,” echoed Hendrix, commenting on the historic venue.

The event is first come, first serve. Tickets are $5 and a valid ID is required.

For tickets, visit https://tickets.bellyupaspen.com/link/event?event=red-bull-4-16-25.