DJs from around the country will gather in San Francisco next month to face off at the U.S. finals of the DMC/Technics 2001 World DJ Championship. Veteran rapper Ice-T [ tickets ] will host the event, according to organizers.

Qualifying rounds in the annual competition have been taking place throughout the U.S. this summer. Regional winners who will compete at the U.S. finals in San Francisco on Aug. 24 include: Precyse (New York), D.J. Abstru (Atlanta), Rocky Rock (Seattle), Vajra (Denver), Precision (Boston), Kico (Cleveland), Kid Dragon (Los Angeles), Golden Child (San Francsico), DJ Solution (Hawaii), DJ Perseus (Chicago), DJ Abilities (Minneapolis), DJ Imperial (San Juan, Puerto Rico), and DJ Infamous (Miami).

Additional qualifying rounds are scheduled to take place in Phoenix on Thursday night (7/19), Houston on Saturday night (7/21) and Washington, D.C., on July 28.

The winner of the U.S. finals will advance to the DMC/Technics 2001 World DJ Championship in England, which is scheduled for Sept. 22 and 23 at the London Apollo. Finalists from around the world will compete in the event.

Last year’s overall winner was Miami’s DJ Craze, who picked up his third consecutive victory at the event. Rather than defend his title at this year’s event, Craze has voluntarily stepped down, according to organizers. As a result, 2000 runner-up Dexta of Australia will step in to take on this year’s newcomers.

The first-place winner of the 2001 final championship event will be awarded a Technics-built, gold-plated, double-turntable set. Runners up will receive either a gold, silver or bronze-plated mixer. The prizes are specially built for the event, and are not available commercially.

Extensive details about the DMC/Technics Championship--now in its 16th year--as well as information about previous winners and the DMC (Dance Music Community) organization as a whole are available at DMC’s official website.