Hip-Hop without Scratching?

[Frank112916]

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.....

Add the late great DJ AM to that list. As far as spinbad goes, he is great, I just wish he wouldn't phone it in on his daily twitter mix. I mean I understand he has less leeway with track choice but he doesn't even scratch. Lots of off key blends and vocal clashes, *shudders*.

[Mojaxx]

Add the late great DJ AM to that list. As far as spinbad goes, he is great, I just wish he wouldn't phone it in on his daily twitter mix. I mean I understand he has less leeway with track choice but he doesn't even scratch. Lots of off key blends and vocal clashes, *shudders*.

Of course, the mighty AM deserves props too. RIP.

Actually, I think it's a shame that we only ever really got 'live' mixes from AM, I would have loved to have heard him do a proper studio multitracked mix. One can only imagine how dope that would have been.

[031999]

since we have derailed this thread slightly, but not very much!

I think the OP might have had his question answered.

This mix is by C2C which i'm pretty sure are not human (4 guys scratching, and in tune and on time with each other)

They have been winning international DMC's pretty much every year.



look up a few other videos to see live performances

[Mojaxx]

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

Just listening to it again for the first time in while.

12:05 is so good it makes me want to cry.

Just... beautiful.

[Mojaxx]

since we have derailed this thread slightly, but not very much!

I think the OP might have had his question answered.

This mix is by C2C which i'm pretty sure are not human (4 guys scratching, and in tune and on time with each other)

They have been winning international DMC's pretty much every year.

look up a few other videos to see live performances

Thing is, most of the DJs we're talking about have very good examples of mixes where scratching is not the main thing, it's about the blend. Too many people do get hooked up on hip-hop = scratching, which is definitely not the case.

And if we're talking C2C... This is their best IMO...

[031999]

Thing is, most of the DJs we're talking about have very good examples of mixes where scratching is not the main thing, it's about the blend. Too many people do get hooked up on hip-hop = scratching, which is definitely not the case.

And if we're talking C2C... This is their best IMO...

Man they were legendary then, but they have gotten so much better!

[diezdiazgiant]

I think if you want to mix hip hop with out scratching it's pretty useful to have a lot sparse beat instrumentals and genres that compliment the sort of thing that does it for you. I go for a lot of 80 to 90 bpm, so especially with four decks and you mind your phrasing it can work real well dropping some rap over a juke track at the drop and then when the chorus on the rap track is about to drop loop the last beat and drop intro to the next beat instrumental, kill the rap track when it feels right, let the instrumental ride out a bit, repeat.

The phrasing is the hardest bit. In traktor the beats till next cue is your best friend here

[Sambo]

Also, no one has mentioned it yet so I guess I'm gonna have to be the one...

Airhorns and gunshots.
Tim-Westwood-005.jpg

[P4ULSON]

Also, no one has mentioned it yet so I guess I'm gonna have to be the one...

Airhorns and gunshots.
Tim-Westwood-005.jpg

lazers and "Damn Son" samples as well

[HighTopFade]

Most of the local radio station hip hop mixshow DJs don't scratch. But yeah, I do notice an a sample or station identification between BPM changes.

Great topic.