Music Industry Icons Name DJ Element as McDonald's Flavor Battle Champion

Mix-master with most 'flavor' takes home $10,000 grand prize, championship title

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Feb 08, 2013, 12:26 ET

MIAMI, Feb. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Last night, GRAMMY® Award winning DJ Spinderella, alongside renowned spin veterans/beatsmiths DJ Clue and Just Blaze, crowned DJ Element of Brooklyn, N.Y., as the McDonald's Flavor Battle champion. Hundreds of audiophiles assembled at Miami Beach's Cameo nightclub, where DJ Element brought the most flavor and out-spun two contenders – DJ Jena Red of Pasadena, Cali., and DJ Arty J of St. Louis, Mo. – to ultimately win $10,000 and bragging rights.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130208/CG57102-a)

Renowned DJ/digital guru Funkmaster Flex (front center) hosts McDonald's Flavor Battle finale in Miami Beach. McDonald's Flavor Battle 2012 champion DJ Risk One, alongside spin veterans/beatsmiths DJ Clue, Just Blaze and Spinderella judge finalists in the nation's premier competition for up-and-coming DJs. (PRNewsFoto/McDonald's USA, LLC) (PRNewsFoto/MCDONALD'S USA_ LLC)

McDonald's Flavor Battle Champion DJ Element of Brooklyn, N.Y., wins $10,000 and celebrates victory in Miami Beach with 2012 Flavor Battle winner DJ Risk One, spin veterans/beatsmiths Just Blaze, DJ Clue and Spinderella and McDonald's U.S. Marketing Director Rob Jackson. McDonald's Flavor Battle is a national DJ competition that features some of America's hottest up-and-coming mix-masters and beatsmiths. (PRNewsFoto/McDonald's USA, LLC) (PRNewsFoto/MCDONALD'S USA_ LLC)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130208/CG57102-b)

"It feels incredible to be the Flavor Battle champion," said DJ Element. "This competition has been an amazing journey, from advancing in three online rounds to being hand-picked by some of the most well-known DJs in the industry. I will always be grateful to the fans, McDonald's and the judges for giving me this opportunity."

Hosted by DJ/digital guru Funkmaster Flex, the exclusive finale event took place on February 7. DJ Clue, Just Blaze and Spinderella, along with the 2012 McDonald's Flavor Battle winner DJ Risk One, judged the three finalists on mixing skills, technique, performance flow and crowd appeal.

"The finalists definitely brought the heat to Miami with their mixing skills," said Spinderella. "It was tough deciding on just one, but the ultimate champion proved to have the extra edge to win the title."

The McDonald's Flavor Battle is a national DJ competition featuring emerging DJs. The competition began online in early November with 24 DJs each representing a U.S. region and McDonald's iconic burger – Big Mac (West), Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese (Central) and Angus Third Pounder (East). More than 400,000 votes were cast online and America chose the top DJs in each region to compete in the final round.

Flavor Battle launched in 2009 as an extension of McDonald's 365Black initiative. McDonald's 365Black platform was created to celebrate the pride, heritage and achievements of African-Americans year round.

About McDonald's
McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States offering a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local businessmen and women. Customers can now log online for free at any of the 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and menu items.

The following trademarks used herein are owned by McDonald's Corporation and its affiliates: 365Black, Big Mac, Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Flavor Battle and McDonald's.

SOURCE McDonald's USA, LLC