Hip-Hop without Scratching?

[ImNotDedYet]

there's this too...http://www.mixcloud.com/Mr_Scruff/mr...p-hop-mixtape/. He scratches on some transitions, but there are a number of non-scratching transitions.

[Chrxstxxn]

I checked out that 800 track mix, damn that was crazy, they must have had a dedicated swapper or something. There needs to be a proper timestamped tracklist though for sure, I spent way too much time looking for "DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Girls Ain't Nothin But Trouble (Instrumental)". DAT MELODY.

[031999]

I checked out that 800 track mix, damn that was crazy, they must have had a dedicated swapper or something. There needs to be a proper timestamped tracklist though for sure, I spent way too much time looking for "DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Girls Ain't Nothin But Trouble (Instrumental)". DAT MELODY.

haha when I first heard it years ago I had no tracklist.

Not to derail the thread but I just need to spread some more love for Jaguar, I consider him one of the best hip hop dj's in the world.

He has a very firm grasp on what can be done with music, what sounds good and how to push those boundaries. He's not just smashing tracks together.

And he does it all LIVE, (yes he uses serato, but DAMM he is quick!!)

This is his interpretation of the "Wheels of steel" mix.

[Mojaxx]

And he does it all LIVE, (yes he uses serato, but DAMM he is quick!!)

I hate to shatter your illusions, but he really, really does not.

I've played alongside him twice.

Jaguar Skills is an absolute Ableton wizard. Incredible talent.

When he DJs, however, he's not actually doing very much at all.

[Sambo]

Was just about to say what Mojaxx says, he's a production wizard and I was disappointed to discover that live he mixes every few minutes between mash ups with a bit of beat mashing, but it makes sense, if he had to do all that live it would have to be rehearsed anyway so it doesn't make too much of a difference.

[031999]

Dang what a shame. Well there is still talent there I guess, otherwise everyone would sound that good.

[Mojaxx]

Well there is still talent there I guess, otherwise everyone would sound that good.

Exactly! I'm certainly not hating on the guy, he rocks crowds, no question.

But as fellow DJ's I think it's important to understand the limitations of what can be done live, and not beat ourselves up when we can't match it.

Another example is my favourite hip-hop DJ, Jazzy Jeff. Unlike Jaguar Skills, he really does it all live.

But if you see him more than once, you can usually guess which track is coming next, because he effectively plays a ton of 'set-pieces' all the time.

In his case that has a lot to do with how he interacts with his MC; the MC knows what's coming up and they work seamlessly together. Plus, he's a touring DJ, not a resident, so the chance of someone seeing him twice in the space of a year is pretty unlikely. So why not do a show which is very similar each time, if it makes for a better show?

[Patch]

MOJAXX - you are my man! Agree completely with what you're saying about JJ.

I'm guessing I don't need to tell you about DJ Spinbad?

For those that DON'T know - Spinbad has made some of the all time greatest mixtapes. He can and DOES do it live.

But he's also made some simply spectacular multi-track mixes that simply couldn't be done live. This is why I love studio mixes - they give a DJ the opportunity NOT to be bound by the equipment, but to get the music that is in his head out!

Mojaxx - got any fav DJ's that I might not know about? Along the lines of:

Jazzy Jeff
Spinbad
Skratch Bastid
DJ Yoda

Etc.....

[Mojaxx]

I'm totally with you on that list, Patch.

Off the top of my head, the only additions I can think of would be A-Skillz, and Krafty Kuts when they play together (Krafty is a bit 'banging' solo these days).

Spinbad is a great example. I heard his 80s mix so many times in wonderment before I realised it was multitrack. When you realise, the amazement doesn't go though; it's still an incredible achievement.

If you're into that kind of stuff, I trust being from Bristol you're aware of the Solid Steel stuff? I actually had a chillout mix on their show last month (madness!) and the other hour was DJ Moneyshot, who does some incredible mixes.

One recommendation for anyone reading this thread; hunt down Steinski's Nothing To Fear.

The best mix I've ever heard in my life. Simply mind-blowing.

And all put together by someone who isn't actually a DJ at all, never touches turntables.

[Patch]

Thanks for the heads up - "Nothing to Fear" was dead easy to find!