Turntablism: The art of manipulating sounds and creating music using phonograph turntables and a mixer / Turntablist: A DJ who performs by touching and moving the records, stylus and mixer to manipulate sound, as opposed to a DJ who just plays records. Many of you who read this article have never seen this in action. However, Beyond Honolulu and the Lightsleepers Crew is teaming up to bring you monthly Skratch Session events that will allow you to experience Turntablism first hand.
At the start of the 1990’s, the landscape in hip-hop had all but eliminated the DJ. With the increase and modernization of technology, studio & stage techniques had ultimately pushed the DJ further and further away from the original 1,2 combination of the DJ (music provider) and the MC (vocalist) that had been the foundation of hip-hop music. And, when backed into near-extinction, the DJ went where all ‘forgotten’ artists end up – right back to the underground where they got their start. Call it a blessing, but the resurgence of the DJ only truly began when it had felt like ‘the end’.
By the mid to late ’90’s, the terms turntablism and turntablist had become a movement all unto themselves. The art of scratching, beat juggling and actually creating entire pieces of music from the turntable had taken the hip-hop world into a new era of creativity, musicality and cultural significance. DJ collectives like the Beat Junkies, Invisibl Skratch Piklz, X-Ecutioners, The Allies and individual artists like DJ Shadow, Spooky, Cut Chemist, Nu-Mark and Kid Koala all took their place in the pantheon of hip-hop music during this era. Living in San Francisco during that time put me in a unique place to witness the birth and rise of this movement. It was exciting to witness – and since then, it’s always given me a deep appreciation for what DJ’s bring to the table..literally.
‘Skratch Sessions’ takes that same vibe and brings it right here to Oahu. Starting in July of 2011, the Beyond Honolulu family, along with the Lightsleepers Crew have been putting on monthly Skratch Sessions at Fresh Café’s warehouse venue, Loft In Space. These will be ongoing and always bring out a huge audience looking to try something new and also those who are already in the scene. Check on Beyond Honolulu periodically to find out more about Skratch Sessions.
Read about the latest Skratch Session now! Skratch Sessions December Edition to Benefit the Keiki.
Enjoy some Pics and Videos Below.
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