5 legendary scratch tracks in hip hop history by the famous dj Rob Swift (X-Ecutioners).
5 legendary scratch tracks in hip hop history.
1982: Buffalo Gals (Malcolm McClaren)
In 1982, a British record producer named Malcolm McClaren flew across the Atlantic and landed in NYC. His mission, to seek help from The World Famous Supreme Team in the recording of what would be the classic maxi-single release, "Buffalo Gals”. The impact the song has had in “Skratch culture” can be felt 37 years since it’s debut.
1982: Rock It (Herbie Hancock)
The genius of this song is the fusion of Jazz musician Herbie Hancock on Key Board and DST’s on the turntables. Guided by producer Bill Laswell, the approach to the song is by these 3 musical savants is revolutionary.
1988: Terminator X to the Edge of Panic (Public Enemy)
Dj Johnny Juice has been working with Public Enemy as a ghost scratcher since their first album YO BUM RUSH THE SHOW. Except no one knew the dude scratching “ROCK AND ROLL EEEEHHHH – URRRRR – EEEEHHH – URRRR – EEEEHHHH – URRRRR – ROCK AND ROLL…” while Chuck D yelled “TERMINATOR X” was actually Juice. But it was Chuck’s ode to Terminator X on “…the Edge of Panic” that arguably showcased the best cuts ever performed on a DJ themed song ever. The scratches were super intense, yet they don’t overwhelm me as a listener. They struck the kind of sonic balance most DJs fail to achieve as studio scratchers to this day.
1994: Resurrection (Common)
Mista Sinista’s body of work as a studio scratcher may not be as extensive as let’s say a Premier, but his contribution to Common’s “Resurrection” has stood the test of time.
2002: Clifford's Mustache (D Styles)
Dj D Styles is our modern day DST, PERIOD! He can do it all. Want him to sound musical? He’ll flip a guitar riff so melodic, he’ll have you thinking a Guitarist was actually playing if you weren’t watching him. Then put him in a room with the most technical portablist “skratcher” and their skill level will sound pedestrian in comparison. Peep “Clifford’s Mustache”. Assisted by another one of my favorite scratch DJs in Q-Bert, D Styles puts on a scratching clinic.