MEET OUR JUDGES 

TINA DE MELO
Tina is a professional and culturally grounded dancer and choreographer of East Timorese and Angolan heritage, specialising in Jamaican Dancehall, Afro dance styles and hip hop. With over 14 years of experience in the community arts sector, she blends traditional cultural influences with contemporary street styles to create dynamic, expressive, and culturally grounded performances. Tina is passionate about using dance as a tool for connection, empowerment, and cultural expression across performance and facilitation spaces. Over the years Tina has won numerous title’s in the Dancehall space including Australian Dancehall Queen 2014, Top 10 International Dancehall Queen in Jamaica 2015, Australian Dancehall Soloist 2024, and as part of Burncity Queenz – Runner up Australian Dancehall Crew 2024. 

DHQ GIZZMERY
Giselle began her dance journey in Hip Hop before discovering her passion for Dancehall in 2014. Since then, she has travelled regularly to Jamaica to train with Dancehall pioneers, earned her Stylish Moves Global Dance Certification (Levels 1 & 2), and was crowned Australian Dancehall Queen in 2018. She has performed alongside international artists including Spice, Ninjaman, Stacious, Kranium, Charly Black, Omah Lay, and Beenie Man, as well as worked with Australian artists including Baker Boy and Peach PRC. As a qualified Hip Hop International (HHI) judge, having judged both the HHI State Championships and Australian National Championships, Giselle now teaches private classes and is passionate about empowering women through dance and movement, creating safe spaces where they can build confidence, express themselves freely, and achieve things they never thought possible 

 CHUBY DICE
Chuby Dice is one of the top dancers in Jamaica and leader of Jamaican dancehall crew Black Dice. He featured on the big screen in films including ‘Intent 2’ and ‘King of the Dancehall’ directed by Nick Cannon, and music videos for top artists including Vybz Kartel, Busta Rymes, Stylo G, Elephant Man, Shawn Storm and Australian producer Monkey Marc to name a few. His team Black Dice have gained much street cred and global recognition over the past few years for bringing the fire back to Jamaican Dancehall street parties with their pyrotechnic displays, and creation of popular party steps such as ‘Swing It’, ‘Move a Foot’, and ‘Tek Piece a It’.
In Australia, Chuby has performed at festivals including 

MONA FOMA, St Kilda Festival and Moomba, supported international touring artists such as Konshens, and judged the Australian Dancehall King and Queen competition. As a highly knowledgeable and sort after dance instructor he has delivered workshops in Melbourne, Perth, Canberra and of course back home in Jamaican with students traveling from all over the world to learn authentic Jamaican dance from the source. 

MEET THE DJS: 

ANTAGONISE
Antagonize is a Melbourne-based DJ powerhouse, known not only for his mastery on the decks but also as an unbelievable krump dancer—a skill that deeply influences his music and mixing style. His sets are explosive and raw, reflecting the energy and intensity of krump, blending bass-heavy bangers with mind-bending melodies and cultured rhythms. Each performance is a sonic journey where heavy drops, syncopated scratches, and high-octane beats create an experience that’s felt as much as it’s heard. In the underground scene, Antagonize is a force to be reckoned with, channelling the movement and raw emotion of KRUMP into his sound. Whether performing solo or in electrifying back-to-back sets, Antagonize transports listeners into a world where the music speaks for itself. Prepare for an unforgettable experience with a DJ who lives to elevate the underground and redefine what it means to move a crowd. 

 JESSE I
One of the most respected reggae personalities in Australia, Jesse I is known around the world as an authority on contemporary Jamaican music, and a selector of the finest roots, reggae and dancehall sounds.

Jesse I has been a fixture of the Melbourne airwaves since 1997, when he got his start with student radio station SRA FM (now SYN FM) before moving to the bigger public broadcaster PBS FM in 1999. Jesse’s reggae program Babylon Burning was recognised nationally with a CBAA Award for Excellence in Music Programming in 2015.

In addition to hosting Babylon Burning, Jesse I also DJs and MCs reggae and dancehall music live, and is one half of reggae sound crew Chant Down (together with Ras Crucial). Over the last three decades, Jesse I has played thousands of gigs, ranging from bar and club residencies, through to countless international supports and festivals. Chant Down’s monthly More Fire party is a cornerstone of Melbourne’s reggae & dancehall scene, and is Australia’s longest running reggae event – until the Covid pandemic, it ran continuously for 20 years.

Jesse I’s DJ sets draw on the entire history of Jamaican music, and can range from classic reggae and rocksteady selections on vintage 7″ vinyl, through to the latest dancehall direct from Kingston; plus related sounds from around the world. 

OUTSIDER
DJ Outsider is an international DJ Based in Melbourne, Australia. Starting her musical career from a young age learning instruments, producing, and later jumped into DJ-ing in 2022. She has quickly made waves in the scene performing at some of Melbourne’s biggest events and nightclubs; opened for and supported international artists such as Davido, Kevin Lyttle, DJ Neptune, Mellow & Sleazy; headlined her own shows; curated her own events; provided musical direction for events & nightclubs around Melbourne; and broke into the international DJ scene in early 2024 – DJ-ing in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.

Using her producing skills to edit beats, songs, creating remixes/mashups and merging genres together during her sets – with her favourite genre being Dancehall, DJ Outsider’s sets are energetic and unforgettable, creating a memorable and unique experience for her fans. 

 DJ NERO
NERO / NEROTUNEZ is a dynamic DJ, producer, and promoter with deep roots in Melbourne’s nightlife and a cultural background from South Sudan. Known for high-energy sets and versatility across Afrobeats, Amapiano, Dancehall, R&B, and Hip-Hop, he’s built a reputation for unforgettable music experiences. Starting his journey in 2013 with a Certificate IV in Sound Production at VU Kindred Studios, NERO has evolved from rocking stages to producing fresh global sounds as NEROTUNEZ always consistent, always delivering. 

MEET OUR HOSTS: 

 KITTY CAT
Cat Sweeney aka Kitty Cat, founder of Burncity Queenz (Melbourne’s first official Dancehall dance group), and Jungle City projects, has over 20 years’ experience in the industry as a dancer and arts practitioner. As a member of Burncity Queenz Cat has performed alongside Dancehall, Afrobeats, and Hip Hop artists such as; Elephant Man, Demarco, Twista, Bracket, Stone Boy, and Konshens to name a few. Cat has trained extensively in Jamaica for over 11 years learning Dancehall by the creators of the dances and founded True Jamaican Dancehall Tours in 2014 – bringing Jamaican dancers to Australia and taking Australian students to Jamaica to learn Dancehall from the source.
Cat was the First Australian in history to enter the International Dancehall Queen competition, and in 2015 ranked Top Ten in the 19th Annual IDHQ Competition. She has toured around Australia sharing her knowledge and love of Dancehall and helped grow the Dancehall community through her hard work and dedication to the culture.
In 2018 Cat became one of the official back-up dancers for Baker Boy and has featured in several of his videos including ‘Marryuna’ the award winning ‘Meditjin’. In 2024 Cat completed her training in Somatic Dance Movement therapy and Hatha Yoga and utilizes these methodologies to better support her community using dance and movement as a tool for healing, inclusion, and positive social change. 

ZARE DEMUS
An international dj and hype man with 15 years in the entertainment business. Truly a talented performer, you wont find Zare Demus being a cliched DJ with his head down, however he will be either blazing on the microphone or dropping a dance move while taking his patrons on a musical journey. His versatility allows him to be comfortable at a Barmitzvah and totaly hyped at a smashing club event.
Zare Demus who was born in Jamaica, started thrilling patrons from the age of 16 when it was cool to buy vinyl and play them on turntables. Having gone through the fire that is Jamaican marathon dancehall sessions, easily reaching 10 hours per set, this gruelling intro to the world of entertainment, in reality, was the best launching pad for this DJ. Zare Demus cut his teeth on the constant demand to entertain and change vibes at any given moment. This is a skill many DJs will never learn, however, Zare Demus has turned it into an art form. Zare Demus’ unique DJ style enables him to play across all genres bringing the same level of energy, professionalism and showmanship to all performances.
After years of honing his skills as a DJ, not only solo but also backing recording artists and performers on regular gigs and tours, Zare Demus has also branched out into other areas of the entertainment business. Having worked as a publicist/marketing agent for TOK on their international hit single, “Footprints”. Zare Demus has continued using his skills in business to market many other singers/performers from the Caribbean, North America and now Australia where he now has his own radio show on KEEPUP RADIO.
With his life and professional experience spanning northern & southern hemispheres over several countries, Zare Demus has gained an appreciation for a wide range of musical genres, this is shown in his ability to play to any crowd at any event.