NEW YORK CITY

2006 WINTER TERM COURSES BEGIN JANUARY 7th
On January 7th, Scratch - NYC will be kicking off its 2006 Winter Term courses. Sign up now for your chance to learn to mix, blend, cut, and scratch with celebrity DJ instructors like GrandWizzard Theodore, Grandmaster Caz, Alamo, J-Smoke, Excess, Daddy Dog, and many more. Courses are available for all skill levels. Click here to register or for more information.

K-RAZOR

Ever since he was in middle school, K-Razor has been a hip-hop and DJ fiend. Mystified by the techniques of scratch masters like Jam Master Jay, Q-bert, Scratch, and Magic Mike, K-Razor's skills and love for the art form of the DJ has constantly grown and evolved over the years. He's participated and placed in numerous battle contests and toured with the likes of Lil' Flip, Noreaga, Phatlip, Monica, and more. If all this wasn’t enough, K-Razor also produces and markets his own series of scratch and break records and is a member of one of the most premier battle crews in the world, Faderballistix.

Scratch: What is your background as a DJ and musician?
 
K-RAZOR:  I have been DJ'ing since I was in the middle school. As a kid, my parents always played salsa music, but I never got into that. I did love Michael Jackson and always wanted to be the center of attention. Then I became a hardcore hip-hop kid -- everything hip-hop related I HAD to be a part of. I always listened to hip-hop and watched Beat Street, Wild Style, etc. and knew I wanted to be a part of history. When I saw guys like Jam Master Jay and Magic Mike create a scratch song with no lyrics, movies like Juice, and DMC battle tapes, I knew that was it.
 
Scratch: What significance does your DJ name, K-Razor, have for you?
 
K-RAZOR: Well Ken is my real name and a razor will definitely cut you up.
 
Scratch: Have you had any other DJ names in the past?
 
K-RAZOR: Yeah I used to call myself Kraze, K-scratch, Kreate, and Ken E.
 
Scratch: What made you finally choose to use K-Razor as you DJ name?
 
K-RAZOR: The name sounds more aggressive. It didn’t sound like anyone's I've ever heard of. It just fit the best, because I am sharp like that. I wanted something to the point and easy to recognize when you here it.
 
Scratch: How exactly did you get into DJ'ing?
 
K-RAZOR: My Dj’ing was influenced by my older bother. We both started out DJ'ing, but in the long run, I stuck to it. My brother and I used to listen to DJ Red Alert on the radio. He used to always premiere new music and have drops from rappers. It got to the point where I used to tune into all his shows and sometimes even record them. To me, being a DJ seemed like the greatest job a man could have. That's when I begged my parents for my first set of tables.
 
Scratch: What type of DJ would you best describe yourself as?
 
K-RAZOR: An all-around DJ. I can play the club scene, battle, and give you a good mixtape. I always gotta have the new music first! I love doing that world premier sample. I love hip-hop and also down south beats. For me, drums and bass are very important in a song.
 
Scratch: At what point did you decide to pursue DJ’ing as a career?
 
K-RAZOR: I went on my first tour with a group Shaq had signed to his label years back. As soon as I saw the money flowing in and realized I could live off this, I knew DJ'ing was the career for me. I could get paid to do what I love to do.
 
Scratch: Who or what was your main influence?
 
K-RAZOR: DJ Scratch of EPMD, Q-bert, and others...Scratch created his own spotlight on songs. He actually added whole scratching sections to songs and made scratching way more interesting than the lyrical part of the song. I used to buy the same records Scratch used, find each particular song he cut over, and copy his every sound until I got it perfect. Q-bert blew my mind when I first saw him. He did stuff on the tables that I had no idea you could do. In my opinion, he really made the world see the turntable as an instrument by having a scratch group with members who performed all at once, making new music on turntables.
 
Scratch: How have your influences changed over the years?
 
K-RAZOR: Mostly I've seen solo DJ’s become their own headline. It used to be the rapper and the DJ. DJ'ing is now to the point where the DJ does not need a rapper to make a hit. DJ Q-bert, Kid Capri, DJ Craze, and DJ A-trak are all great examples of this progression.

Scratch:  As an up and coming DJ, what did you do to practice and improve your skills?
 
K-RAZOR: I practiced counting bars and blending. I bought D.M.C. tapes and the Q-bert do it yourself kit. All this really helped me out. I also hung out with other DJ's to learn what they knew so I could add to my style. Everybody's different in some way. Just because one guy can scratch really well another might be able to juggle real good –so you wanna study different DJ’s and be even on all sides.
 
Scratch:  After having learned so much over the years, what advice would you give DJ’s today who are just getting into the art form?
 
K-RAZOR: The advice I have is to get involved with the DJ world! Delve into the art form and have a plan for yourself. Don’t be a one-sided DJ do it all (mix, scratch, and battle). Most of all, practice, practice, practice and practice!
 
Scratch:  What kind of opportunities have you experienced through DJ’ing? Do any particular memories come to mind?
 
K-RAZOR: I've gotten to travel to new places and meet all kinds of people and DJ’s. In particular, I remember traveling to Amsterdam. Over the years I've been in numerous competitions and battles like Breaklanta - 2003, Miami Import Expression - 2002, Miami Hip-Hop Elements Throwdown - 2001, Zulu Kings Battle in NYC - 2001, and Kool Mixx Miami - 2003 and 2004. I've toured and done shows with Lil' Flip, Phatlip, Noreaga (opened up for him), Native, Monica, Pumpkin Head, and Jeru the Damaja. I'm also in a crew named Faderballistix.
 
Scratch:  What are you up to right now?
 
K-RAZOR: Right now I have been in the studio laying some scratches for Bad Boy Latino in Miami and just finished up my Break Record coming out in Feb 2006. I've also been finalizing some tour dates with Fish-scale of Nappy Roots.
 
Scratch:  As one of the instructors at the newest Scratch DJ Academy in Miami, what are your thoughts about our newest Scratch?
 
K-RAZOR: It’s a great idea, because it brings opportunities for up and coming DJ’s in south Florida and helps enhance the DJ scene down here.
 
Scratch:  What do you enjoy most about teaching at Scratch?
 
K-RAZOR: I see new faces so excited to learn how to scratch, and I love listening to people pick your brain about your scratch life. I look forward to bringing my creativity and knowledge to the up-and-coming DJ's.
 
Scratch:  Any advice you would give to our students?
 
K-RAZOR: Loosen up and get involved in the music world. Try to expose yourself to as much DJ'ing and music as possible. And remember, it’s not how long you practice, it’s what you practice.
 
Scratch:  Do you have any local area residencies or gigs where our students could come see you perform?
 
K-RAZOR: No residencies right now, couple of tour dates, mad mix tapes, and a Scratch record.
 
Scratch:  What kinds of projects do you see yourself involved with in the future?
 
K-RAZOR: I want to start my own label, make beats, produce more break records, own a radio station, and have my own turntable hour on the station so the radio DJ's know they need to get there game up.
 
Scratch:  What is the most exciting and unforgettable experience you have ever had as a DJ?
 
K-RAZOR: Winning my first DJ Battle. I was in Miami, all my friends were there, and I even left with a big a** trophy. I made my parents look at the competition on the internet and even sent them a video. That feeling was the most exciting for me.
 
Scratch:  Do you have a website, how can get more info about what you are doing?
 
K-RAZOR: Yeah, I have a website Faderballistix.com- Just check the site, everything gets posted!