NEW BEATMAKING 101 SECTION
Scratch DJ Academy is launching its second semester of Beat Making 101 beginning on Tuesday February 8th. Designed for those who want to learn the basics of beatmaking and production, the class focuses on the essentials of Reason and Ableton Live 4.0. Each student has access to his or her own workstation equipped with an Alienware Ozma m laptop. At the conclusion of the course, each student will have created at least six of their own original beats. Learn More>>

SCRATCH - LA LAUNCHES FIRST SEMESTER
Scratch DJ Academy – Los Angeles launched its first semester of classes on January 15th. The first semester was an incredible success and featured DJ 101, DJ 151 and DJ 202 with sections meeting throughout the week. Among the many teachers, you can find the Beat Junkies’ and Power 105’s Mr. Choc, Jahi Sundance, Mike C, Hapa and Dynamix with special guests including DJ Numark. The Spring Term is now available for registration. Find Out More>>

 
DJ 151 OFFERS CLUB OPPORTUNITIES 
As part of Scratch DJ Academy’s DJ 151 course, Scratch will now offer its students the opportunity to perform at a local club in New York City. As part of the course, students will create a mixed tape for Scratch faculty to review. If Scratch thinks it is up to par, it will place the student in an opening spot at one of the best lounges in New York City  Register Now!>>

 
SCRATCH ACCESS 
If you can’t make it to class in New York City or Los Angeles, you might be able to check out Scratch in your hometown. Every month, Scratch hits the road with its partners to bring its curriculum and instructors across the nation. You’ll be able to find Scratch at these events and locations throughout the month of February.

• February 12-13th: Volleypalooza @ Miami, FL
• February 12-13th: Core Tour @ Bear Mountain, CA
• February 19-20th: Core Tour @ Sugar Bowl Resort, CA
• February 20th: GQ Lounge at Sky Hotel @ Aspen, CO
• February 25th: Wheelock College @ Boston, MA

DJ Excess

Scratch: DJ Excess, when did you decide that DJing is what you wanted to do?

Excess: Around senior year of high school I started interning at Logic Records which counted as school credit. During that time I was spinning House more than Hip-Hop but around that time I saw the D.M.C. 95 Worlds where Raida won, and I knew I wanted to pursue the art-form more.

Scratch: What were some of your inspirations for becoming a DJ?

Excess: I was always into music. I played keys when I was younger but never really got too into it. Then in high school I started playing guitar and I was in the chorus group so I was always into music, but as soon as I saw that 95 video I knew there were tons of possibilities with Djing and scratching. Also watching local crews like Fifth Platoon and the X-Ecutioners and the Piklz definitely influenced my desire to get to the next level.

Scratch: How did you initially learn? How did your skills develop to the point that
they are now? Did you watch tapes? How much did you practice?

Excess: I pretty much learned from watching my boy Impulse in high school spin. He was doing local parties around the way so I would just watch and study and then head back to the lab and attempt to do what I just studied. We would also practice a lot together so we were always trying to learn new cuts and juggle patterns. Also practicing with Doboy from the Fifth Platoon back in the day, got me thinking about scratching differently with different ways to learn and apply techniques. I definitely kept up with the tapes when I was younger but now I try to come up with new stuff by just thinking stuff out more. When I was younger I would practice about 6 hours a day, but I slowly realized that if I just concentrated and worked on one thing seriously every time I practiced, it would benefit my learning process. You always have to remember that practice makes permanent – not perfect. Some people out there may practice more than another person but they may be learning and acquiring bad habits during that time.

Scratch: How did you get involved with Scratch DJ Academy?

Excess: I started teaching at Scratch Academy by I-Emerge introducing me to Dave and the other faculty there.

Scratch: Where do you see yourself and the art of DJing going to 10 years from now?

Excess: I pretty much see myself more involved with the music production aspect of it. I try to stay versatile in all aspects of music whether it be playing live instruments, producing scratch tracks or producing beats and music in a conventional way. No matter what though, I know scratching is always going to be influential in my music.

Scratch: What is your crowning moment so far in your career?

Excess: In terms of battling, winning the I.T.F. Western Hemisphere Scratching and U.S. Finals titles in 2000. As for my overall musical career, I’m not really sure. I just feel really blessed to be involved with great musicians like Toadstyle, Gunkhole, and a bunch of others I’m failing to mention who are putting out music that’s really going pave the way for the scratch scene and the music industry in general.

Scratch: What is one of your worst moments in your career?

Excess: The worst moment must have been falling through the stage at the 98 I.T.F. Categories. That was my first battle and I felt mad embarrassed when I fell, but it’s all good cause I don’t think anyone has it one video. If someone does though, definitely get in contact with me cause it would be a trip to see that again.

Scratch: What advice do you have for our readers who are just getting started?

Excess: First and foremost, you have to really have fun and enjoy what you’re doing. No matter how much you practice and try to learn, if you don’t have a true love for what you’re doing, you won’t be able to accomplish too much. Also, try to listen to various types of music, cause you’ll really start hearing different elements musically that may be influential to your learning process and music production.

Scratch: Lastly, for all our readers out there working on their scratching, what is one tip/method that helped you when you first started out with your scratching?

Excess: When it comes to scratching, make sure to learn a certain technique from a slow speed and then progress to faster variations. A lot of students I see would really try to do too much because they think speed is the key, but speed always develops through time. If you understand a scratch technically through its motions and sound, your speed will progress later. Always practice the technique of a scratch when you’re learning it, at slower speeds for muscle memory and always make sure you’re achieving the right sound of the cut.