Scratch (film)
Encyclopedia
Scratch is a documentary film
, directed and edited by Doug Pray
. The film explores the world of the hip-hop DJ. From the birth of hip-hop, when pioneering DJ's began extending breaks on their party records (which helped inspire break dancing and rap), to the invention of scratching and beat-juggling vinyl, to its more recent explosion as a musical movement called turntablism, it's a story of unknown underdogs and serious virtuosos who have radically changed the way we hear, play and create music. The documentary opens with Grand Wizard Theodore
(New York) telling the story of how he first introduced scratching. Throughout the documentary, several artists explain how they were introduced to the field of hip-hop and scratch while providing stories and anecdotes of their personal experiences.
explains the differences between rap and hip-hop which are often confused by many people. He explains that graffiti, break dance, DJs, MCs, as well as the way you talk and dress represent the elements of hip-hop. Afrika Bambaataa
presents us a neighborhood in the Bronx which used to be called "the house of hip-hop" where violence and gangs were common. After his trip to Africa, he created what is known as the Universal Zulu Nation
, a group of socially and politically aware rappers, B-boys, graffiti artists and other people involved in hip-hop culture. The importance of the Dj is also emphasized on how he/she selects and controls the music constantly in respect to his/her audience's needs. The relation and differences between DJs and MCs are explained going through their roles and importances in the music industry.
Each artists explains the beginning of hip hop and its evolution since the 70s featuring DJ Jazzy Jay, Grand Mixer DXT
, Almighty K.G., Kevie Kev, Dot A Rock and Steinski. Many concerts of break dance and DJ performances are shown such as The Herculords, Electronic Boogaloos, Original Graffiti Rock, "Wild Style" 1982 with Busy Bee
& Grand Wizard Theodore
and Grand Master Flash.
opens by telling us his first experience to scratch through the 1984 Grammy Awards with Herbie Hancock
& Grand Mixer DXT
. This is the evolution and influence of a new hip-hop transmitted to from DJs to DJs. Passionate about their work, they focus on the importance of seeking their own style and being different from the others.
DJ QBert (Daly City) give us an explanation on how the turntables function describing each part. He compares it to "talking" or communicating. While Mix Master Mike scratched with DJ QBert, they used their scratching to communicate together. They describe it as an art and a form of intelligence. Other artists describe the popularity it had in the 80s amongst the youth in parties and battling. Many of them got famous through their talent in battles. Some of them made the existence of the DJ without the MC possible.This chapter also features the DJ Marz, DJ Eddie Def, DJ Cue, DJ Quest
(Bullet Proof Space Travelors), Billy Jam, Dave Paul, DJ Relm, DJ Flare
, DJ Shadow
, Apollo
, Rob Swift
(X-ecutioners),
, which involves the manipulation of the machine. DJ Babu
was the first to describe this method using this term. He believes that the turn table can be a musical instrument “as long as you see it as [one].” Babu explains that turn tables have notes, measures, different beats, timing, and rhythms. A short interview with John Carluccio
presents the method used to communicate compositions by transcribing scratching onto paper. Through Steven Dee, the film transitions to the next section of the film, Battling.
Scratching
, like each of these elements, draws from all the others. And, as this vibrant film makes abundantly clear, by definition, scratching does not stand still. As much-respected Steve Dee puts it, "Hip-hop is asking you a question, and that question is, what are you going to do?" And you need to come up with an answer, day after day. Discussing the ways that battling shapes his much-adored art and profession, Steve Dee confesses, "I'm competitive. If it's drawing a straight line, I wanna draw the straightest line." Believe it: this guy draws seriously insane straight lines.
leads the handheld camera through a basement so stuffed with records that he can barely walk through—he calls it "my little nirvana
," then warns the crew: "Careful, I once found a mummified bat under one of the records"). Several of Scratch’s most exciting scenes involve artists playing with one another: Mix Master Mike
(perhaps most famous for his work with the Beastie Boys
, and also a member of Invisibl Skratch Piklz
) and the popular Filipino DJ Qbert (also of Invisibl Skratch Piklz); Shadow and Cut Chemist
working with Steinski; and Jurassic 5
on stage with Cut Chemist and DJ Nu-Mark (who says of working with these pioneering MCs, "It's fun, but it's always a challenge").
DJ Premier
, a Gang Starr Record Producer, opens the chapter by explaining the evolution of beat making throughout the past 30 years and what his life as a Record Producer is all about. Then, DJ Swamp
from The Allies explains some of the beats that he has put together and describes how many artist have begun playing vinyls that are made specifically for turntabalist and battle DJ’s.
The film proceeds by demonstrating the vast array of beats that have been produced by turntabalist and the auspicious future the industry holds. Doug Pray then goes to the 2000 N.A.M.M. Music Convention in Los Angeles, California. There they conduct a series of interviews that mostly aim at describing the optimistic future of the industry.
The chapter closes by describing the influence that the Invisible Scratch Pickles (DJ QBert, Disk, and Shortkut) have had on the industry.
states that his goal is to show the world that there’s “something really cool out there, you know, something different.” The film ends with Z-Trip and Cut Chemist
performing together side by side on four turntables. This is also known as a 2 x 4 performance.
Important interviewees include:
Other featured DJs included:
pays tribute to the innovative art of DJing in the electrifying documentary Scratch. When he was first approached, Doug Pray didn’t know much about hip-hop DJs. He decided to make the movie after meeting Mix Master Mike
of the Beastie Boys
fame. Scratch is Doug Pray’s second film. His first, Hype!
, from 1996, is about the grunge music scene in Seattle. Scratch follows musicians of another genre, the underground hip-hop DJs whose instrument is the turntable
.
in 2001 and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award by the Independent Feature Project (IFP). In 2002, it was released in theaters nationwide by Palm Pictures
, distributed internationally by Intermedia Films, and the DVD is still widely available in video and music stores. After its release, the film inspired two world tours of top DJs, and a performance movie named Scratch: All the way live (also directed by Doug Pray and produced by Brad Blondheim).
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
, directed and edited by Doug Pray
Doug Pray
Doug Pray is an American documentary film director, cinematographer, and editor who often explores unique subcultures in his films. His work includes Surfwise a portrait of the nomadic, 11-member Doc Paskowitz family ; Big Rig , a documentary about truck drivers; Infamy , a documentary about...
. The film explores the world of the hip-hop DJ. From the birth of hip-hop, when pioneering DJ's began extending breaks on their party records (which helped inspire break dancing and rap), to the invention of scratching and beat-juggling vinyl, to its more recent explosion as a musical movement called turntablism, it's a story of unknown underdogs and serious virtuosos who have radically changed the way we hear, play and create music. The documentary opens with Grand Wizard Theodore
Grand Wizard Theodore
Grand Wizzard Theodore , is an American hip hop DJ. He is widely credited as the inventor of scratching.Born Theodore Livingston in Bronx, New York, his brother, Mean Gene, was Theodore's mentor, and began teaching him DJing before Theodore was even a teen...
(New York) telling the story of how he first introduced scratching. Throughout the documentary, several artists explain how they were introduced to the field of hip-hop and scratch while providing stories and anecdotes of their personal experiences.
Elements
In the first chapter, Grand Wizard TheodoreGrand Wizard Theodore
Grand Wizzard Theodore , is an American hip hop DJ. He is widely credited as the inventor of scratching.Born Theodore Livingston in Bronx, New York, his brother, Mean Gene, was Theodore's mentor, and began teaching him DJing before Theodore was even a teen...
explains the differences between rap and hip-hop which are often confused by many people. He explains that graffiti, break dance, DJs, MCs, as well as the way you talk and dress represent the elements of hip-hop. Afrika Bambaataa
Afrika Bambaataa
Afrika Bambaataa is an American DJ from the South Bronx, New York who was instrumental in the early development of hip hop throughout the 1980s. Afrika Bambaataa is one of the three originators of break-beat deejaying, and is respectfully known as the "Grandfather" and the Amen Ra of Universal...
presents us a neighborhood in the Bronx which used to be called "the house of hip-hop" where violence and gangs were common. After his trip to Africa, he created what is known as the Universal Zulu Nation
Universal Zulu Nation
|rightThe Universal Zulu Nation is an international hip hop awareness group formed and headed by hip hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa. Originally known simply as the Organization, it arose in the 1970s as reformed New York City gang members began to organize cultural events for youths, combining local...
, a group of socially and politically aware rappers, B-boys, graffiti artists and other people involved in hip-hop culture. The importance of the Dj is also emphasized on how he/she selects and controls the music constantly in respect to his/her audience's needs. The relation and differences between DJs and MCs are explained going through their roles and importances in the music industry.
Each artists explains the beginning of hip hop and its evolution since the 70s featuring DJ Jazzy Jay, Grand Mixer DXT
Grand Mixer DXT
Grand Mixer DXT is an American turntablist. He was formely known as Grand Mixer D.ST. "D.ST" is a reference to Manhattan, New York City's Delancey Street on the Lower East Side...
, Almighty K.G., Kevie Kev, Dot A Rock and Steinski. Many concerts of break dance and DJ performances are shown such as The Herculords, Electronic Boogaloos, Original Graffiti Rock, "Wild Style" 1982 with Busy Bee
Busy Bee
Busy Bee of Norway, branded simply Busy Bee was an airline that operated in Norway between 1966 and 1992. The airline was started by Braathens S.A.F.E under the name Busy Bee Air Service. The airline flew charter and wet lease for Braathens SAFE and Scandinavian Airlines with Fokker F-27, Fokker 50...
& Grand Wizard Theodore
Grand Wizard Theodore
Grand Wizzard Theodore , is an American hip hop DJ. He is widely credited as the inventor of scratching.Born Theodore Livingston in Bronx, New York, his brother, Mean Gene, was Theodore's mentor, and began teaching him DJing before Theodore was even a teen...
and Grand Master Flash.
Rockit
In the second chapter, Mix Master MikeMix Master Mike
Mix Master Mike is an American turntablist and contributing member of the Beastie Boys.-Life and career:Born Michael Schwartz in San Francisco, California, Mix Master Mike is of German and Filipino descent. He first came to prominence upon winning the 1992 New Music Seminar/Supermen Inc...
opens by telling us his first experience to scratch through the 1984 Grammy Awards with Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock
Herbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock is an American pianist, bandleader and composer. As part of Miles Davis's "second great quintet," Hancock helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section and was one of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound...
& Grand Mixer DXT
Grand Mixer DXT
Grand Mixer DXT is an American turntablist. He was formely known as Grand Mixer D.ST. "D.ST" is a reference to Manhattan, New York City's Delancey Street on the Lower East Side...
. This is the evolution and influence of a new hip-hop transmitted to from DJs to DJs. Passionate about their work, they focus on the importance of seeking their own style and being different from the others.
DJ QBert (Daly City) give us an explanation on how the turntables function describing each part. He compares it to "talking" or communicating. While Mix Master Mike scratched with DJ QBert, they used their scratching to communicate together. They describe it as an art and a form of intelligence. Other artists describe the popularity it had in the 80s amongst the youth in parties and battling. Many of them got famous through their talent in battles. Some of them made the existence of the DJ without the MC possible.This chapter also features the DJ Marz, DJ Eddie Def, DJ Cue, DJ Quest
DJ Quest
DJ Quest was born in 1973 in El Salvador. While there are others using the name 'DJ Quest', Carlos Aguilar has most likely had the moniker the longest,. He is considered one of the most skilled and reputable DJ and innovators in the field of Turntablism. DJ Quest has contributed to the hip hop DJ...
(Bullet Proof Space Travelors), Billy Jam, Dave Paul, DJ Relm, DJ Flare
DJ Flare
DJ Flare is a scratch DJ with many vinyl releases. Flare was a member of the turntablist group the Invisibl Skratch Piklz, appearing in many of their Turntable TV videos. He releases battle records under the pseduonym "Butchwax" on the Thud Rumble and Dirtstyle Records labels. He also created...
, DJ Shadow
DJ Shadow
Joshua Paul Davis better known as DJ Shadow is an American music producer, DJ and songwriter. He is considered a prominent figure in the development of instrumental hip hop and first gained notice with the release of his highly acclaimed debut album Endtroducing....., which was constructed...
, Apollo
Apollo
Apollo is one of the most important and complex of the Olympian deities in Greek and Roman mythology...
, Rob Swift
Rob Swift
Rob Swift is an American hip hop DJ and turntablist. Swift is a former member of the turntablist group The X-Ecutioners as of late 2005 and as of 2006; with Mike Patton’s project Peeping Tom.-Early life:...
(X-ecutioners),
Turntablism
This section of the film describes the beginning of TurntablismTurntablism
Turntablism is the art of manipulating sounds and creating music using phonograph turntables and a DJ mixer.The word 'turntablist' was coined in 1995 by DJ Babu to describe the difference between a DJ who just plays records, and one who performs by touching and moving the records, stylus and mixer...
, which involves the manipulation of the machine. DJ Babu
DJ Babu
DJ Babu is a Filipino-American DJ. One-third of the hip hop group Dilated Peoples , Babu is also a member of the Beat Junkies DJ crew, and together with rapper Defari forms the duo the Likwit Junkies. DJ Babu, Evidence and Pharoahe Monch also feature in the song H! Vltg3 on Linkin Park's...
was the first to describe this method using this term. He believes that the turn table can be a musical instrument “as long as you see it as [one].” Babu explains that turn tables have notes, measures, different beats, timing, and rhythms. A short interview with John Carluccio
John Carluccio
John Carluccio is a Brooklyn-based filmmaker whose work documents under-recognized pockets of urban society. His unique subjects range from art culture Price of Getting up, Ellis G, Artificial Afrika, Noguchi, music scenes Antibalas, Wax Poetics, Dubstep, Battle Sounds, cheap eats Punjabi, Redhook...
presents the method used to communicate compositions by transcribing scratching onto paper. Through Steven Dee, the film transitions to the next section of the film, Battling.
Battling
Battling became popular as a result of Steven Dee’s attitude that there is always room for improvement. Various DJs are shown commenting about the competitiveness of the industry especially now that there are competitions, such as the DMC (Disco Mix Club) where DJs have six minutes to showcase their skills and abilities. Each competitor works on their set and practices their routine for months. Creativity and competitiveness are very important component in winning the competition.DJs with MCs
Still, Scratch has lots of work to do, for even though the movement is young, it has undergone enormous, frequent, ongoing transformations. Beyond this, hip-hop notoriously involves multiple facets. Theodore testifies, "When you say hip-hop, you say graffiti, you say break-dancing, you say DJs, you say MCs, the way you dress, the way you talk. All the elements into one, that's hip-hop."Scratching
Scratching
Scratching is a DJ or turntablist technique used to produce distinctive sounds by moving a vinyl record back and forth on a turntable while optionally manipulating the crossfader on a DJ mixer. While scratching is most commonly associated with hip hop music, since the late 1980s, it has been used...
, like each of these elements, draws from all the others. And, as this vibrant film makes abundantly clear, by definition, scratching does not stand still. As much-respected Steve Dee puts it, "Hip-hop is asking you a question, and that question is, what are you going to do?" And you need to come up with an answer, day after day. Discussing the ways that battling shapes his much-adored art and profession, Steve Dee confesses, "I'm competitive. If it's drawing a straight line, I wanna draw the straightest line." Believe it: this guy draws seriously insane straight lines.
Digging
This concept of competition, wanting to be "the best," does not keep turntablists apart ("It ain't like real beef"). Rather, they make a point of working together, sharing ideas and encouraging one another. They go on "digging" jaunts (DJ ShadowDJ Shadow
Joshua Paul Davis better known as DJ Shadow is an American music producer, DJ and songwriter. He is considered a prominent figure in the development of instrumental hip hop and first gained notice with the release of his highly acclaimed debut album Endtroducing....., which was constructed...
leads the handheld camera through a basement so stuffed with records that he can barely walk through—he calls it "my little nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvāṇa ; ) is a central concept in Indian religions. In sramanic thought, it is the state of being free from suffering. In Hindu philosophy, it is the union with the Supreme being through moksha...
," then warns the crew: "Careful, I once found a mummified bat under one of the records"). Several of Scratch’s most exciting scenes involve artists playing with one another: Mix Master Mike
Mix Master Mike
Mix Master Mike is an American turntablist and contributing member of the Beastie Boys.-Life and career:Born Michael Schwartz in San Francisco, California, Mix Master Mike is of German and Filipino descent. He first came to prominence upon winning the 1992 New Music Seminar/Supermen Inc...
(perhaps most famous for his work with the Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
, and also a member of 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 the popular Filipino DJ Qbert (also of Invisibl Skratch Piklz); Shadow and Cut Chemist
Cut Chemist
Lucas MacFadden , better known as Cut Chemist, is an American DJ and record producer. He is a former member of the funk Latin band Ozomatli, and of hip hop group Jurassic 5...
working with Steinski; and Jurassic 5
Jurassic 5
Jurassic 5 was an American alternative hip hop group formed in 1993 from members of two previous groups, Rebels of Rhythm and Unity Committee by rappers Charles Stewart , Dante Givens , Courtenay Henderson , Marc Stuart , and disc jockeys Mark Potsic and Lucas Macfadden...
on stage with Cut Chemist and DJ Nu-Mark (who says of working with these pioneering MCs, "It's fun, but it's always a challenge").
Making beats
During the fifth chapter of the film Doug Pray explores the art of producing beats and examines the future of the DJ industry.DJ Premier
DJ Premier
Christopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
, a Gang Starr Record Producer, opens the chapter by explaining the evolution of beat making throughout the past 30 years and what his life as a Record Producer is all about. Then, DJ Swamp
DJ Swamp
Ronald K. Keys Jr. aka DJ Swamp is an American hip hop DJ/turntablist and hip hop producer. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. In 1996, he took the title of US DMC Champion, his first year entering the tournament. Swamp toured with Beck for four years and later broke away into a solo career with...
from The Allies explains some of the beats that he has put together and describes how many artist have begun playing vinyls that are made specifically for turntabalist and battle DJ’s.
The film proceeds by demonstrating the vast array of beats that have been produced by turntabalist and the auspicious future the industry holds. Doug Pray then goes to the 2000 N.A.M.M. Music Convention in Los Angeles, California. There they conduct a series of interviews that mostly aim at describing the optimistic future of the industry.
The chapter closes by describing the influence that the Invisible Scratch Pickles (DJ QBert, Disk, and Shortkut) have had on the industry.
Full circle
The final chapter of the film reviews the goals and aspiration of some of the most recognized DJ’s in the industry and what they hope to achieve via the distribution of their music. In a short segment, DJ QBert explains his understanding of the interconnectedness of the human race and how his “destiny” is to better the lives of others through his music. Grand Master DXT describes how good he feels about being the role model of so many of the great DJ’s out there today. Mix Master MikeMix Master Mike
Mix Master Mike is an American turntablist and contributing member of the Beastie Boys.-Life and career:Born Michael Schwartz in San Francisco, California, Mix Master Mike is of German and Filipino descent. He first came to prominence upon winning the 1992 New Music Seminar/Supermen Inc...
states that his goal is to show the world that there’s “something really cool out there, you know, something different.” The film ends with Z-Trip and Cut Chemist
Cut Chemist
Lucas MacFadden , better known as Cut Chemist, is an American DJ and record producer. He is a former member of the funk Latin band Ozomatli, and of hip hop group Jurassic 5...
performing together side by side on four turntables. This is also known as a 2 x 4 performance.
Interviews
The film progresses primarily through the interviews and commentary by different DJs of the hip hop world. There is no narrator or interviewers included in the film and some DJs are present throughout the film.Important interviewees include:
- Grand Wizard TheodoreGrand Wizard TheodoreGrand Wizzard Theodore , is an American hip hop DJ. He is widely credited as the inventor of scratching.Born Theodore Livingston in Bronx, New York, his brother, Mean Gene, was Theodore's mentor, and began teaching him DJing before Theodore was even a teen...
: he explains how he invented the technique known as scratching. - Mix Master MikeMix Master MikeMix Master Mike is an American turntablist and contributing member of the Beastie Boys.-Life and career:Born Michael Schwartz in San Francisco, California, Mix Master Mike is of German and Filipino descent. He first came to prominence upon winning the 1992 New Music Seminar/Supermen Inc...
: he talks about how he used cassettes to practice his mixing techniques because he couldn't afford a turntable. - The X-ecutioners (Rob SwiftRob SwiftRob Swift is an American hip hop DJ and turntablist. Swift is a former member of the turntablist group The X-Ecutioners as of late 2005 and as of 2006; with Mike Patton’s project Peeping Tom.-Early life:...
, Total Eclipse, Roc RaidaRoc RaidaAnthony Williams , better known as Roc Raida or Grandmaster Roc Raida, was an American DJ, turntablist and producer. He was also a member of the legendary DJ group, The X-Ecutioners....
, Mista Sinista): they explain how hip-hop DJing is recorded in a fashion similar to that of a regular band. - John CarluccioJohn CarluccioJohn Carluccio is a Brooklyn-based filmmaker whose work documents under-recognized pockets of urban society. His unique subjects range from art culture Price of Getting up, Ellis G, Artificial Afrika, Noguchi, music scenes Antibalas, Wax Poetics, Dubstep, Battle Sounds, cheap eats Punjabi, Redhook...
: has worked extensively with turntablism and developed a method of recording scratches and other techniques onto paper, allowing DJs to communicate their compositions to others. - Afrika BambaataaAfrika BambaataaAfrika Bambaataa is an American DJ from the South Bronx, New York who was instrumental in the early development of hip hop throughout the 1980s. Afrika Bambaataa is one of the three originators of break-beat deejaying, and is respectfully known as the "Grandfather" and the Amen Ra of Universal...
: founder of the Universal Zulu Nation; he wanted to turn gang affiliation into something positive and helped to establish turntabalism as its own genre. - Grand Mixer DXTGrand Mixer DXTGrand Mixer DXT is an American turntablist. He was formely known as Grand Mixer D.ST. "D.ST" is a reference to Manhattan, New York City's Delancey Street on the Lower East Side...
: the first DJ to establish the turntable as a fully performable and improvisional musical instrument; developed the technique of altering the pitch of the sound on the LP record. - Grand Master Flash: developed the technique of cutting and mixing.
- Steinski: Began to share techniques and methods with those wanting to learn; before DJs were very secretive about their techniques and which music they choose and he decided to share what he knew via an album titled “The Lessons."
- DJ Qbert: he explains how he DJs for fun now and does not compete as often as he did before because of the large amount of work necessary to develop a routine.
- DJ FlareDJ FlareDJ Flare is a scratch DJ with many vinyl releases. Flare was a member of the turntablist group the Invisibl Skratch Piklz, appearing in many of their Turntable TV videos. He releases battle records under the pseduonym "Butchwax" on the Thud Rumble and Dirtstyle Records labels. He also created...
: influential scratch DJ that invented the “flare scratch” where sounds are split into two parts. - DJ BabuDJ BabuDJ Babu is a Filipino-American DJ. One-third of the hip hop group Dilated Peoples , Babu is also a member of the Beat Junkies DJ crew, and together with rapper Defari forms the duo the Likwit Junkies. DJ Babu, Evidence and Pharoahe Monch also feature in the song H! Vltg3 on Linkin Park's...
: produced the most popular battle record and established turntablism as a style of music separate from the MCs and rappers that were leaving DJs behind. - Steve Dee: explains how he dedicated one year to becoming the best at what he does and as a result he became the founder of a technique known as beat juggling. He also is a huge influence in the competitive aspect of turntablism.
- DJ CrazeDJ CrazeDJ 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,...
: winner of 3 consecutive DMC competitions; explains how competitions are important but also enjoyable for the competitors. - Christe Z Pabon: She is the coordinator of the DMC competitions. She comments that she appreciates those who bring something new and are not afraid to be different.
- Jon BernsonJon BernsonJon Bernson is an American singer, songwriter and recordist from San Francisco, California.For eight years, Bernson led the indie-folk band Ray's Vast Basement and developed a multimedia approach that is frequently referred to as 'musical fiction'...
: Director of an afterschool programs for DJs as well as MCs and rappers.
Other featured DJs included:
- DJ PremierDJ PremierChristopher Edward Martin , better known by his stage name DJ Premier , is an American record producer and DJ, and was the instrumental half of the hip hop duo Gang Starr, together with emcee Guru...
- Z-Trip
- DJ Jazzy Jay
- Electric Boogabos
- Almighty Kay Gee, MC with the Cold Crush Brothers
- Kevie Kev and Dot A Rock, MC with Fantastic Freaks
- Naut HumonNaut HumonNaut Humon is the adopted name of Mark Sprague. He serves on the Digital Musics jury of the Ars Electronica festival in Linz, Austria every year. He is the founder of Recombinant Media Labs and was head of A&R for Asphodel Records, both based in San Francisco. He is featured in the 2001...
- DJ Marz, QuestQuestIn mythology and literature, a quest, a journey towards a goal, serves as a plot device and as a symbol. Quests appear in the folklore of every nation and also figure prominently in non-national cultures. In literature, the objects of quests require great exertion on the part of the hero, and...
, DJ Cue, and Eddie Def, Bullet Proof Scratch Masters - Billy Jam
- Dave Paul
- DJ Relm
- MadlibMadlibOtis Jackson Jr. in Oxnard, California, known professionally as Madlib, is a Los Angeles-based DJ, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, and music producer...
- ApolloApolloApollo is one of the most important and complex of the Olympian deities in Greek and Roman mythology...
- Melo-D
- DJ Faust and Shortee
- FeedbackFeedbackFeedback describes the situation when output from an event or phenomenon in the past will influence an occurrence or occurrences of the same Feedback describes the situation when output from (or information about the result of) an event or phenomenon in the past will influence an occurrence or...
- KleverKleverKlever is a village in the municipality of Sande, Norway. Its population is 371 and has an area of 0.4 km ²....
- DJ Cruise
- Jay Slim
- Snayk Eyez
- Cut ChemistCut ChemistLucas MacFadden , better known as Cut Chemist, is an American DJ and record producer. He is a former member of the funk Latin band Ozomatli, and of hip hop group Jurassic 5...
- DJ Nu-Mark
- Dilated PeoplesDilated PeoplesDilated Peoples is an American hip hop group from Los Angeles, California. The group achieved notability in the underground hip hop community, although they have had little mainstream success in the US, with the exception of the song "This Way," a 2004 collaboration with Kanye West and Xzibit...
- DJ ShadowDJ ShadowJoshua Paul Davis better known as DJ Shadow is an American music producer, DJ and songwriter. He is considered a prominent figure in the development of instrumental hip hop and first gained notice with the release of his highly acclaimed debut album Endtroducing....., which was constructed...
- DJ SwampDJ SwampRonald K. Keys Jr. aka DJ Swamp is an American hip hop DJ/turntablist and hip hop producer. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. In 1996, he took the title of US DMC Champion, his first year entering the tournament. Swamp toured with Beck for four years and later broke away into a solo career with...
- DJ Streak
- DJ KrushDJ Krush, better known as DJ Krush, is a producer and DJ. He is known for his atmospheric instrumental production which incorporates sound elements from nature and extensive use of jazz and soul samples.-Biography:...
- Swift Rock
- Mark Herlitly
- Doze Green
Direction
Director Doug PrayDoug Pray
Doug Pray is an American documentary film director, cinematographer, and editor who often explores unique subcultures in his films. His work includes Surfwise a portrait of the nomadic, 11-member Doc Paskowitz family ; Big Rig , a documentary about truck drivers; Infamy , a documentary about...
pays tribute to the innovative art of DJing in the electrifying documentary Scratch. When he was first approached, Doug Pray didn’t know much about hip-hop DJs. He decided to make the movie after meeting Mix Master Mike
Mix Master Mike
Mix Master Mike is an American turntablist and contributing member of the Beastie Boys.-Life and career:Born Michael Schwartz in San Francisco, California, Mix Master Mike is of German and Filipino descent. He first came to prominence upon winning the 1992 New Music Seminar/Supermen Inc...
of the Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
fame. Scratch is Doug Pray’s second film. His first, Hype!
Hype!
Hype! is a documentary directed by Doug Pray about the popularity of grunge rock in the early to mid-1990s United States. It incorporates interviews and rare concert footage to trace the steps of grunge, from its subversive inception in neighborhood basements, to its explosion as a pop culture...
, from 1996, is about the grunge music scene in Seattle. Scratch follows musicians of another genre, the underground hip-hop DJs whose instrument is the turntable
Turntablism
Turntablism is the art of manipulating sounds and creating music using phonograph turntables and a DJ mixer.The word 'turntablist' was coined in 1995 by DJ Babu to describe the difference between a DJ who just plays records, and one who performs by touching and moving the records, stylus and mixer...
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Production
Scratch was produced by Brad Blondheim and Ernest Meza, co-produced by Heidi Rataj and executive produced by Allen and Albert Hughes (“Menace2society”, “From Hell”), and it was shot in 16mm film by Doug Prays’s good friend, the late director of photography Robert Porter Bennett.Awards
Scratch had its world premiere at the Sundance Film FestivalSundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
in 2001 and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award by the Independent Feature Project (IFP). In 2002, it was released in theaters nationwide by Palm Pictures
Palm Pictures
Palm Pictures is a US-based entertainment company owned and run by Chris Blackwell. Palm Pictures produces, acquires and distributes innovative music and film projects with a particular focus on the DVD format...
, distributed internationally by Intermedia Films, and the DVD is still widely available in video and music stores. After its release, the film inspired two world tours of top DJs, and a performance movie named Scratch: All the way live (also directed by Doug Pray and produced by Brad Blondheim).