Q-Bert: The Scratch Performer

Event recommendation: world's #1 Scratch Dj - By Patrick Lui, Sep 02, 06



Shanghai loves Hip Hop, and in an incredible and timely follow up to the recent DMC China Dj Championship, the scratch legend himself Dj Q-Bert lays it all down tonight at Bonbon (Saturday Sep 2nd) (yes, Bon Bon is having an exceptional weekend, with Q-bert just following Hawtin last night). If you were impressed with by Worday, L-J, etc, during DMC battles then prepare to be completely blown away by Q-Bert as he explores another facet of Hip Hop turntablism: The scratch performance.

Innovation, interpretation and improvisation all come together at a scratch performance, and Q-Bert is the hands-down master of this form. Q-Bert himself is a DMC World Champion many times over, as well as a judge and DMC Hall-of-Famer. No longer battling, he is widely regarded as one of the best scratch performance Dj's in the world today. Regardless of any kind of rank though, Q-Bert's approach to his craft is much more humble and he treats each opportunity to perform as a karmic means of sharing his skills with others while improving upon his own skills in the process. Q-Bert started out mixing tracks at mobile block parties and other events around the SF Bay Area in the 80s. But his scratch performances rose rapidly in popularity, and emphasis shifted across the board from the mobile parties to the scratch performances and battles. As co-founder of the Invisibl Skratch Piklz (ISP), Q-Bert has been definitive in establishing the scratch Dj, or turntablist as an integral part of, or for many, the focal point of Hip Hop culture.

On a recent session at The Lab, Q-Bert's friend and former ISP member, Dj Shortkut brought up turntablism and innovation. Shortkut, now of the Beat Junkies recalled days just kickin' it with Q-Bert at his studio coming up with new styles and techniques such as "crabbing" that would eventually breach the surface and become the common weapons in any battle Dj's arsenal.

If you have been to any of the recent Beatzdown or Lab productions you may already have an idea of the interactivity the audience has with the performers -- As the crowd gets more into it, the performers take more chances. Unlike other pumpin' Hip Hop clubnights though, this is a true scratch performance in which Q-Bert uses innovation, interpretation and improvisation to build intensity. His instrument: a turntable, and it's happening Saturday at Bonbon.

Full details for Q-Bert @ Bon Bon | here
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