A-Trak
Encyclopedia
A-Trak is a Montreal-born DJ, turntablist, and owner of the record label
Fool's Gold
.
, ITF and Vestax
), as well as being the first DJ to win five World Championships. He won the DMCs World DJ Championship
in 1997 at the age of 15, making him the youngest and first Canadian winner of the competition. He was an honorary member of the prestigious, now defunct DJ crew Invisibl Skratch Piklz
, and a member of The Allies alongside frequent collaborator DJ Craze
.
Macklovitch is the younger brother of David Macklovitch of the Montreal-based band Chromeo
, with whom he ran the record label Audio Research from 1997-2007. He, along with Nick Catchdubs then founded the Fool's Gold Records
label in 2007.
In the late 90's A-Trak developed a notation system for scratching. He gave a lecture about it at the Skratchcon 2000 conference and published an article in Tablist Magazine. He has also appeared on the cover of multiple magazines including URB (twice), BPM
and Status.
In 2004 Kanye West
recruited him as his personal tour DJ, and he has worked closely with him ever since, including performances alongside the US rapper at MTV
specials, the Grammy Awards, multiple MTV Video Music Awards
, and worldwide stadium shows. A-Trak also recorded scratches on Kanye West’s second and third studio albums Late Registration
in 2005 and Graduation
in 2007, and was an influence on the overall sound of the latter.
Over the years he has been endorsed by several brands including Serato Scratch Live
, Rane DJ equipment
, as well as clothing companies; Zoo York, Lifted Research Group and Circa. A-Trak also has a collaborative clothing line called “Sunglasses is a Must,” and released his own toy "Grateful Bear" with Kid Robot in 2009.
He is known for merging the sounds of rap and electronic music through his remix work, his 2007 CD "Dirty South Dance," his production for Kid Sister
and Lupe Fiasco
, and his remixes for electronic artists including MSTRKRFT
and Boys Noize
. The hit single by Kid Cudi, Day 'n' Night, was released on an EP by A-Trak's label Fool's Gold.
In 2009, A-Trak collaborated with Armand Van Helden
to form a disco house production duo under the stage name Duck Sauce
. They released "aNYway" in October on Ministry of Sound. Other Duck Sauce tracks include "Grand Steppin", "The Motion", "You're Nasty", "Big Bad Wolf" and "Barbra Streisand".
In February 2010, it was announced that A-Trak will perform live shows with Travis Barker
who had previously worked with their mutual friend, the late DJ AM
A-Trak has also become a streetwear culture icon, collaborating with Nike
, New Era, Kidrobot, and Zoo York. The last couple of years have seen Trizzy headlining tours and festival stages the world over, as well scratching on Common’s classic Be, Kanye’s Late Registration and Graduation, and Kid Cudi
’s Man On The Moon, as well as producing Kid Sister’s debut album Ultraviolet, songs with Lupe Fiasco
, and original releases with Stones Throw and Kitsune.
In October 2010, he released a song entitled "Ray Ban Vision" with G.O.O.D. Music's CyHi Da Prynce.
A-Trak will be performing at The Voodoo Experience 2011
at City Park in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 28–30, 2011.
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
Fool's Gold
Fool's Gold Records
Fool's Gold Records is an independent record label based in Brooklyn, New York.- History :It was founded in 2007 by DJs A-Trak and Nick Catchdubs, introducing singles from artists including Kid Cudi and Kid Sister...
.
Career
Montreal-born, New York-based A-Trak was the first DJ to win all three major DJ competition titles (DMCDisco Mix Club
Disco Mix Club is a DJ remix service founded by Tony Prince which began as a radio show in 1981 on Radio Luxembourg in the UK. Prince helped popularise a new style of DJ mixes using the turntable as an instrument. DMC started operating as a remix service in 1983. They started producing remix...
, ITF and Vestax
Vestax
The Vestax Corporation of Japan began in 1977 as a designer and manufacturer of electronic guitars. In the 1980s Vestax introduced a series of cassette based multitracks to challenge established products from Fostex, Yamaha and Tascam's portastudios...
), as well as being the first DJ to win five World Championships. He won the DMCs World DJ Championship
Disco Mix Club
Disco Mix Club is a DJ remix service founded by Tony Prince which began as a radio show in 1981 on Radio Luxembourg in the UK. Prince helped popularise a new style of DJ mixes using the turntable as an instrument. DMC started operating as a remix service in 1983. They started producing remix...
in 1997 at the age of 15, making him the youngest and first Canadian winner of the competition. He was an honorary member of the prestigious, now defunct DJ crew Invisibl Skratch Piklz
Invisibl Skratch Piklz
The Invisibl Skratch Piklz were a group of Americans of Filipino Ancestry turntablists.The members of the group were originally hip-hop DJs, who were among the pioneers of the turntablism movement in the 1990s; turntablists create musical pieces by mixing samples from records, by using multiple...
, and a member of The Allies alongside frequent collaborator DJ Craze
DJ Craze
DJ Craze , born Aristh Delgado, is a Nicaraguan American DJ who plays hip hop, Miami bass, breaks, Dubstep, drum n bass, and practices turntablism. He is the only solo DJ in history to claim the DMC World DJ Championships trophy three times consecutively .-Biography:DJ Craze was born in Managua,...
.
Macklovitch is the younger brother of David Macklovitch of the Montreal-based band Chromeo
Chromeo
Chromeo is an electrofunk duo formed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 2004.-History:Chromeo is composed of P-Thugg on keyboards, synthesizers, and talk box, and Dave 1 on guitar and lead vocals...
, with whom he ran the record label Audio Research from 1997-2007. He, along with Nick Catchdubs then founded the Fool's Gold Records
Fool's Gold Records
Fool's Gold Records is an independent record label based in Brooklyn, New York.- History :It was founded in 2007 by DJs A-Trak and Nick Catchdubs, introducing singles from artists including Kid Cudi and Kid Sister...
label in 2007.
In the late 90's A-Trak developed a notation system for scratching. He gave a lecture about it at the Skratchcon 2000 conference and published an article in Tablist Magazine. He has also appeared on the cover of multiple magazines including URB (twice), BPM
BPM (magazine)
BPM is an American magazine devoted to "Music, Technology, Nightlife and Style". Based in Hollywood, California, the magazine has published over 95 issues...
and Status.
In 2004 Kanye West
Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. West first rose to fame as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records, where he eventually achieved recognition for his work on Jay-Z's album The Blueprint, as well as hit singles for musical artists including Alicia Keys, Ludacris, and...
recruited him as his personal tour DJ, and he has worked closely with him ever since, including performances alongside the US rapper at MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
specials, the Grammy Awards, multiple MTV Video Music Awards
MTV Video Music Awards
An MTV Video Music Award , is an award presented by the cable channel MTV to honor the best in music videos...
, and worldwide stadium shows. A-Trak also recorded scratches on Kanye West’s second and third studio albums Late Registration
Late Registration
Late Registration is the second studio album by American hip hop artist Kanye West, released August 30, 2005, on Roc-A-Fella Records. Recording sessions for the album took place over the course of a year at various recording studios located in New York City and Hollywood...
in 2005 and Graduation
Graduation (album)
Graduation is the third studio album by American hip hop artist Kanye West, released September 11, 2007 on Roc-A-Fella Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during 2005 to 2007 at Chung King Studios and Sony Music Studios in New York City and at Chalice Studios and The Record Plant...
in 2007, and was an influence on the overall sound of the latter.
Over the years he has been endorsed by several brands including Serato Scratch Live
Scratch Live
Scratch Live is a vinyl emulation software application created by New Zealand based Serato Audio Research, distributed by and licensed exclusively to Rane Corporation...
, Rane DJ equipment
Rane Corp.
Rane Corporation is a pro audio equipment manufacturer. Located in Mukilteo, Washington, it was made up of former employees of Phase Linear Corporation, and started out with products aimed at small live bands...
, as well as clothing companies; Zoo York, Lifted Research Group and Circa. A-Trak also has a collaborative clothing line called “Sunglasses is a Must,” and released his own toy "Grateful Bear" with Kid Robot in 2009.
He is known for merging the sounds of rap and electronic music through his remix work, his 2007 CD "Dirty South Dance," his production for Kid Sister
Kid Sister
Melisa Young better known by her stage name Kid Sister, is a rap artist based in Chicago, Illinois, well known for her single "Pro Nails", featuring Kanye West.-Background:Melisa Young was born July 3, 1980 in Markham, Illinois...
and Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco , better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco , is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, Lupe is the CEO of 1st and 15th Entertainment. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food...
, and his remixes for electronic artists including MSTRKRFT
MSTRKRFT
MSTRKRFT is a Canadian electronic music duo from Toronto, Ontario. The group was started in 2005 by Jesse F. Keeler of Death from Above 1979 and Al-P formerly of the Mississauga, Ontario electropop group Girlsareshort...
and Boys Noize
Boys Noize
Boys Noize is the stage name of Alexander Ridha, a German electronic music producer and DJ. It is similar to the name of Ridha's label, Boysnoize Records, which he established in 2005...
. The hit single by Kid Cudi, Day 'n' Night, was released on an EP by A-Trak's label Fool's Gold.
In 2009, A-Trak collaborated with Armand Van Helden
Armand Van Helden
Armand Van Helden is a record producer, DJ and remixer whose biggest commercial successes came from his remixes of the 1996 Tori Amos song "Professional Widow" , which reached number 1 in the UK Singles Chart in January 1997, and his own track "U Don't Know Me ", which went to number 1...
to form a disco house production duo under the stage name Duck Sauce
Duck Sauce (band)
Duck Sauce is an American-Canadian DJ duo consisting of Armand Van Helden and A-Trak. The duo are signed to Fool's Gold Records.-History:The pair aim to produce disco house tracks that will appeal to club DJs....
. They released "aNYway" in October on Ministry of Sound. Other Duck Sauce tracks include "Grand Steppin", "The Motion", "You're Nasty", "Big Bad Wolf" and "Barbra Streisand".
In February 2010, it was announced that A-Trak will perform live shows with Travis Barker
Travis Barker
Travis Landon Barker is an American musician, producer and entrepreneur, most noted as the drummer for the American pop punk band Blink-182, as well as the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock band The Transplants, and the alternative rock band Box Car Racer. He was a frequent collaborator with...
who had previously worked with their mutual friend, the late DJ AM
A-Trak has also become a streetwear culture icon, collaborating with Nike
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
, New Era, Kidrobot, and Zoo York. The last couple of years have seen Trizzy headlining tours and festival stages the world over, as well scratching on Common’s classic Be, Kanye’s Late Registration and Graduation, and Kid Cudi
Kid Cudi
Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi , better known by his stage name Kid Cudi , sometimes stylized KiD CuDi, is an American rapper, singer and actor. He first gained major attention after the release of his debut mixtape A Kid Named Cudi. In 2009, his single "Day 'n' Nite" reached the top five of the...
’s Man On The Moon, as well as producing Kid Sister’s debut album Ultraviolet, songs with Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco , better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco , is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, Lupe is the CEO of 1st and 15th Entertainment. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his critically acclaimed debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food...
, and original releases with Stones Throw and Kitsune.
In October 2010, he released a song entitled "Ray Ban Vision" with G.O.O.D. Music's CyHi Da Prynce.
A-Trak will be performing at The Voodoo Experience 2011
Voodoo Experience
Voodoo Experience, also commonly referred to as Voodoo or Voodoo Fest, is a multi-day music and arts festival held in City Park, New Orleans, Louisiana. It was first held on Halloween weekend in 1999. It has since moved between the weekend before Halloween and Halloween weekend throughout the years...
at City Park in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 28–30, 2011.
Awards
- 1997 Technics / DMC World Champion (15 years old - youngest ever)
- 1998 Technics/ DMC World 2nd Runner Up
- 1999 ITF World Champion (Advancement category)
- 1999 ITF Western Hemisphere Scratching Champion
- 1999 Vestax World DJ Extravaganza Champion
- 2000 ITF World Champion (Advancement category)
- 2000 DMC Team Champion (with DJ Craze)
Discography
- Gangsta Breaks (12")
- Buck Tooth Wizards (CD)
- Enter Ralph Wiggum (7")
- Monkey Boy Breaks (12")
- Don't Fool With The Dips (12")
- Oh No You Didn't! Live From Vancouver (CD)
- Drive Slow Mixtape w/ GLC (CD)
- Sunglasses Is A Must (DVD)
- Dirty South Dance (CD), Obey's 4th mixtape, limited to 5000 copies.
- Running Man: Nike+ Original RunRunning Man: Nike+ Original RunRunning Man: Nike+ Original Run is the fourth mix in the Nike+ Original Run series. On this album, young DJ and turntablist A-Trak, from Canada , now working as a touring DJ for Kanye West, debuted as a producer and composer...
(Exclusive to iTunes) - FabricLive.45FabricLive.45FabricLive.45 is a 2009 album by A-Trak. The album was released as part of the FabricLive Mix Series.-Track listing:#2 Tracks Mixed:##A-Trak - Say Whoa - Fool's Gold##DJ Sneak - You can't Hide from your Bud - Classic...
(April 2009) (CD) - Infinity+1 (2009) (CD)
- Dirty South Dance 2 (2010)
Remixes
- Laidback Luke & Sander van Doorn - Who's Wearing The Cap (A-Trak Remix)
- Kanye West - Stronger (A-Trak Remix)
- Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Heads Will Roll (A-Trak Remix, Radio Edit, and Dub)
- Tiga - What U Need (A-Trak Remix)
- Robyn - Indestructible (A-Trak Remix and Radio Edit)
- MSTRKRFT - Bounce (A-Trak Remix)
- Sebastien Tellier - Kilometer (A-Trak Remix)
- Boys Noize - Oh! (A-Trak Remix)
- Digitalism - Idealistic (A-Trak Remix)
- The Count & Sinden - Beeper (A-Trak Remix)
- Justice - D.A.N.C.E (A-Trak Remix) [For DJ Hero 2 Only]
- Naughty By Nature "O.P.P" vs. Jackson 5 "ABC" (A-Trak Remix) [DJ Hero 2 Only]
External links
- A-Trak on RCRD LBLRCRD LBLRCRD LBL is the premier online destination for free, curated, legal MP3 downloads from the hottest marquee and emergent artists. RCRD LBL delivers free music downloads and more directly to readers with multiple personalized email properties, including the RCRD of the Day email newsletter, RCRD...