NO TURNTABLES, NO MIXER, NO NEEDLES....NO PROBLEM
One of the most difficult parts of breaking into the DJ game is getting all that expensive equipment! Scratch DJ Academy makes it easy: all our students receive automatic memberships to Scratch, affording them access to our equipment for practice 7 days a week!

NEW YORK CITY

GET YOUR BEAT MAKING SKILLS RIGHT - BM202 STARTS MAY 6TH
Think you know how to make beats? Take your music production to the next level with BM 202. Now available for the first time on Saturdays, BM 202 will teach students advanced sample editing, advanced audio and MIDI effects routing, advanced mixing and automation techniques, and more. Our production instructors will show you what it takes to get Lil’ Jon sayin’ “Yeeeayaah!”
Click here to register or for more information.

LEARN THE SECRETS BEHIND THE LATEST IN HIGH-TECH DJ GEAR
Whether you want to carry less records to gigs or simply want to look fly with the latest turntable technologies, Scratch’s Digital DJ’ing Workshop on May 25th, is the event for you. Learn the intricacies of CD turntables, the latest developments in MP3 technologies, and even completely PC-based DJ’ing. It’s time to join the 21st century. Click here to register or for more information.

MIAMI

FREE DJ CLASS ON MAY 4TH
Want to check out Scratch–Miami but aren’t ready to commit to a semester? Check out our FREE DJ class on Thursday, May 4th, from 7-8pm. RSVP by calling 305-535-2599.

LOS ANGELES

DROP AND GIVE ME TWENTY--BABY SCRATCHES THAT IS
Whoever thought boot camp was tough has apparently never been to a Scratch DJ Academy Bootcamp. Bootcamps at Scratch-LA offer the perfect opportunity for any DJ or DJ-wannabe with limited free time in his/her schedule. Our 6-week courses are condensed into comprehensive 5-day Bootcamps in which students can master DJ 101, 151, and 202. Enlist now; Scratch Bootcamps start June 5th!
Click here for more information or to register.

ESQUIRE

As one of the top battle and routine DJ's in the world, ESQUIRE competed in the ITF World Finals held in Munich, Germany, in 2002, and continues to make a name for himself at the forefront of the battle scene. Most recently, ESQUIRE has taken his turntable skills on the road with the 2005 AND 1 Mixtape Tour and even gained the post as resident DJ for the newly opened Club 49 atop the Marriott Marquis in Midtown Manhattan.

Scratch: Tell us about your first gig? How did you get it? What was it like? How were you feeling, before during and after it?
 
ESQUIRE: My first gig was spinning at a Columbia University party. I was nervous but anxious. The equipment provided was so shoddy, but I kept it moving. At one point, the speakers clipped and we were without sound for a short period. Very nerve racking, but it’s just one in many interesting moments throughout my career.
 
Scratch: What records are you spinning at the moment? Name some artists that you think are doing interesting things that DJ’s can work with.
 
ESQUIRE: For clubs/parties, I’m spinning whatever the vibe dictates. I love all types of music so my interests change like the weather. Right now, I’m feeling Gnarls Barkley (Cee-Lo from Goodie Mob).
 
Scratch: Tell us about your first set of turntables?
 
ESQUIRE: My first set was a pair of belt drive Lineartech Turntables and a Gemini mixer I bought on Canal Street, NYC. Man, I was the shit at my dorm!! But, I was so limited in what I wanted to do so I had to upgrade to Technics.
 
Scratch: When did you fall in love with music? What was the song or album? How did it make you feel?
 
ESQUIRE: I’ve loved music since coming out of the womb. One of my favorite albums (and movies) is the Purple Rain Soundtrack by Prince and The Revolution. I can’t express all of the emotions I have when I hear that album. It makes me wanna dance, cry, sing, etc. Still amazes me to this day.
 
Scratch: When did you then fall in love with DJ’ing and how do you think your love for music manifests itself in your craft?
 
ESQUIRE: My love began when I got my first set of tables and was learning all I could via listening to mixtapes or watching DJ videos. My love grows everyday and the music I spin is a reflection of that.
 
Scratch: What can people expect when they come to see you?
 
ESQUIRE: I do my best to give people their money’s worth no matter what type of event I do. If it’s a battle, expect to be entertained. If it’s a club, expect to dance your ass off. If it’s a lesson, expect to be educated. I’m the type of guy who loves to party and entertain. So, that’s what I give you when I spin.

Scratch: Describe yourself in five words?
 
ESQUIRE: Fun, Entertaining, Carefree, Humble and Fortunate.
 
Scratch: When did you first believe that you could make a living DJ’ing? How are you hustling to make that a reality?
 
ESQUIRE: I work a 9-5 and I DJ. That’s where my hustle lies.

Scratch:  How much do you feel your background affected you as an artist?
 
ESQUIRE: Anyone who knows me knows I rep Brooklyn to the fullest!!! It’s more than just a place, it’s a state of mind. I naturally and involuntarily bring that swagger to anything I do.
 
Scratch:  What is it that you want your music to convey to people when they hear it?
 
ESQUIRE: I just want people to come out and have a good time when they hear me spin.
 
Scratch: How would you say you’ve evolved as an artist since you began DJ’ing? How much of that evolution do you think comes from your community and how much of that evolution do you think has come from yourself?
 
ESQUIRE: Every time I spin, I grow as a DJ. Every club I spin at, every battle I compete at, every student I teach allows me to evolve.

Scratch: In your opinion what is a good recipe for a successful DJ? Or if you can’t think of an entire recipe then what would be some important ingredients?
 
ESQUIRE: I feel that you should be well-rounded in all aspects of the art. You should be able to mix, blend, scratch, and rock a crowd. Reading an audience is very essential as a DJ in order to maintain the vibe. Knowing your music history is also key.
 
Scratch: What do you think makes you unique as a DJ?
 
ESQUIRE: Probably being fearless in my selection makes me unique. While I do play all current day stuff, I love to break out a classic from the 60’s or a rarely played disco track or some one-hit wonder that makes the crowd go “OHHHHHHH!!!” Also, mixing is an important aspect of my craft so I try to be as flawless in my transitions as possible.

Scratch:  If you could work with anybody in the business, up-and-coming or established, who would you work with and why?
 
ESQUIRE: I would only want to work with my two favorite artists, Notorious B.I.G. (RIP) and Aaliyah (RIP). Since both are no longer with us, I don’t have much of a preference. So, I’ll just rework their acapellas until my heart’s content.
 
Scratch:  There are a lot of people who want to be DJ’s but don’t realize how much hard work is involved. How much work do you put into what you do and how would you say that work has benefited or hindered you?
 
ESQUIRE: Man, I put in hours (and hours and hours….) of practice time to practice and I’m still no where close to where I wanna be as a DJ. I’ve neglected family, friends, work, girlfriends, and sleep to be the best DJ I can. The only thing that hinders me is not having enough time to practice. I work a 9-5, I own a dog, and I have a lot of family and friends that I divide my time around. But, if you love it like I do, if it’s 20 minutes or 3 hours, you will make time to practice. Plus, I’m always thinking of new shit to do whether at work or traveling with my iPod so I’m constantly thinking about it.

Scratch: What do you think is the best way for people interested in becoming DJ’s to get into the scene?
 
ESQUIRE: Well, the internet is one of the best outlets to find out about almost anything you’re interested in. Go to DJ forums or to a DJ’s website to see what’s poppin’ with them or what events are coming to your city. Go to local record stores and talk to people. Word of mouth is a great tool.
 
Scratch: Looking back to the time that you started DJ’ing, can you point out one pivotal moment where if something had happened differently you would not be doing what you are doing with your art?
 
ESQUIRE: Nope. I will always be a DJ. Period.