SCRATCH

I watched this film for the hundredth time last night. It's deep. The clip below starts with Grand Wizard Theodore explaining how he invented the scratch, but the majority of turntablists in the film have said that their biggest primary influence was watching Herbie Hancock perform 'Rockit' live, with Grand Mixer DXT playing those turntables like they were violins or some shit. A whole new instrument that people outside New York City had never seen before.

What's also interesting is how closely turntablists like Mix Master Mike and Qbert view their craft as a true form of communication with extra-terrestrial lifeforms. Really.

If you haven't seen the film (made in 2001) and you love the whole DJ element of hip-hop, then you have to check it out. Here's a clip.