NEW YORK CITY

VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL AT SCRATCH DJ ACADEMY
This February 14th, Scratch DJ Academy is offering a unique date opportunity for music lovers and their loved ones on Valentine’s Day. You and your date will learn to mix, scratch, and blend in a 1-hour private lesson with one of our celebrity DJ instructors. In addition, you will also receive two matching Scratch DJ Academy t-shirts. Click here to register or for more information.

DJ I-DEE

He’s not even 20 years old, but DJ I-Dee has already established himself as a force to be reckoned with behind the tables. I-Dee uses his extensive knowledge of 70’s and 80’s music (as well as his amazing skills) to add flair and style to current hip-hop hits. Coming from Guatemalan and Puerto Rican descent, he also brings a distinctive Latin flavor to his turntablism –reminding us to always remember our roots. If all this wasn’t enough, he has also won an unprecedented three regional turntablist titles in only one year including the 2005 DMC Supremacy Championship.

Scratch: How did you initially get into the DJ’ing game, and what sparked your interest in the art form?
 
DJ I-DEE:  Back in 1997, my older brother bought a pair of Technics SL-1200s. I was about 10 years old at the time so the fact that my brother spent a lot of money on record players really made me curious as to what was so special about these things. At first, like every older brother out there, he didn’t want his nosey little brother (me) messing with his equipment –which I don’t blame him at all because most kids will probably break the turntables anyway. So I ended up experimenting behind his back and tried to teach myself the basics until I could afford a pair of my own. It wasn’t until maybe 1998 or 1999 when I became obsessed with the art form through the DMC battle videos and the whole persona of the turntablist.
 
Scratch: Growing up did you listen to DJ’s or any particular types/genres of music that influenced your interest and style today?
 
DJ I-DEE: Well, hip-hop was always engraved in my head ever since I was a child, but also my parents listened to a lot of Salsa, Meringue, and Spanish Rock. I ended up using a lot of those genres in my sets whether I’m mixing for a club or battling. I’m also a really big fan of cheesy 80’s pop songs and the one hit wonder artists from that decade. I try to fuse that with current music hits to regenerate the original artist’s song to make something fresh and new. For example, I’ll have Bananarama over a 50 Cent instrumental or Culture Club on top of a Neptunes beat.
 
Scratch: Who have been your main influences?
 
DJ I-DEE: My main influences would definitely be my crew the Trooperz originally from the Washington D.C. and Craze, A-Trak, and of course DJ Qbert. These are all amazing turntablists who have inspired me time and time again throughout my career and are always coming up with something new and innovative. But aside from the DJ’s, I’ve gotten a lot of inspiration from just listening to all types of instruments and artists. Whether it's Jimi Hendrix thrashing on his guitar, Qbert cutting it up, or Kenny G on the sax –these guys all have an uncanny touch when it comes to music.
 
Scratch: How have your influences changed over the years?
 
DJ I-DEE: When I first started DJ’ing, I was strictly hip-hop but eventually I really learned to keep my ears open and show appreciation for all genres of music. If you just stick to one genre, you’re just hurting yourself and at the same time missing out on a lot of great music.
 
Scratch: As an up and coming DJ, what did you do to practice and improve your skills?
 
DJ I-DEE: I remember I would try to mimic what most of the DJs on these DMC videos would do and just try to execute the same thing. But a member of my crew, DJ Geometrix, took me under his wing and taught me the essential fundamentals on a more one-on-one basis and also taught me the more advanced and technical aspects of scratching, beat juggling, and mixing. But all in all, spending hours and hours in my room practicing was really what helped me develop into the DJ I am today.
 
Scratch: What most defines you as a DJ?
 
DJ I-DEE: Entertainment, Skill and Comedy. If you ask anyone who has seen me battle before, they’ll most likely mention my wacky facial expressions, humorous stage presence, or my sharp precise cuts. Hehe…but seriously I just go out there and have fun.
 
Scratch: Do you spin, mix, scratch, beat juggle, or simply do it all?
 
DJ I-DEE: Everything…. I can also cook, chicks dig that. I’m at the point in my life that when I get on the turntables whether at home or on stage, it relieves me from a lot of stress and it’s like my ticket to get away from the world. Scratching especially is very therapeutic for me, I don’t know if that sounds weird or not, but I compare it to other things such as doing Yoga or getting a massage at a spa. Once the turntable starts, everything else around me seems gone and I’m in my own little zone.
 
Scratch: Why did you eventually decide to pursue DJ’ing as a career, and what helped influence this decision?
 
DJ I-DEE: After my first DJ battle, I knew something like this would stick with me forever and I couldn’t resist it. My brother and other turntablists saw a lot of potential in me and would always tell me to pursue it; it’s just something that was meant to happen.
 
Scratch: What exactly was going on in your life at the time?
 
DJ I-DEE: Well I was in middle school and taking saxophone lessons. My parents saw it as a gamble but supported me the whole way through.

Scratch:  Over the years, what types of experiences and opportunities have you had as a DJ?
 
DJ I-DEE: I’ve been able to travel all over the US and internationally as far as the UK, Czech Republic, and Ireland just to name a few.
 
Scratch:  What is your most memorable experience as a DJ?
 
DJ I-DEE: Probably winning my first US title at the 2005 DMC Battle for US Supremacy and earning the trip to London for the 2005 DMC World Finals. The fact that I became a US Champ at the age of 18 still shocks me to this day.
 
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?
 
DJ I-DEE: Practice, practice, practice and always remember to have fun.
 
Scratch:  What are you up to right now?
 
DJ I-DEE: Yeah just teaching here at Scratch DJ Academy, and making sure students are enjoying themselves here at the school because really just having fun is what it’s all about. Being able to come to a friendly learning environment and learn something new is just rewarding on everyone’s part. I am also going to college and getting myself prepared for the upcoming battle season; I try to get inspiration and motivated somehow to make some new beat juggles and scratch routines for the DMC Competitions. I always try not to be repetitive, so it’ll definitely be a challenge to come up with something fresh and exciting.
 
Scratch:  What are your thoughts on Scratch DJ Academy?
 
DJ I-DEE: The fact that there’s a school that teaches people something that took us years to master is amazing. Scratch DJ Academy can teach you so much in 6 weeks which I think is just awesome.
 
Scratch: Do you like teaching? How does it compare to other DJ gigs?
 
DJ I-DEE: It’s refreshing to see people enjoy themselves at learning something new. This school is already unique and making history, so I’m just really honored to be a part of it.
 
Scratch:  Any advice you would give to our students?
 
DJ I-DEE: Just as I said before, practice makes perfect and without that, you probably won’t be able to successfully accomplish anything so never give up on it.
 
Scratch:  What kinds of projects do you see yourself involved with in the future?
 
DJ I-DEE: More production and possibly some break records in the making. I also have a possible small UK/Ireland Tour and possibly some performances in Central America in the works.
 
Scratch:  Is there an interesting story behind your name, DJ I-Dee?
 
DJ I-DEE: Well my real name is Isaac DeLima so I just took my initials and added two “e’s” to the end. Honestly it was pretty simple and I was very fortunate that I didn’t get stumped on choosing a name. I know a lot of people who have been DJ’ing for years but could never settle down on a name.
 
Scratch:  Do you have a website, how can get more info about what you are doing?
 
DJ I-DEE: Check out my crew the Trooperz at www.trooperz.com. Also catch my newest crew, Fader Ballistix, at www.faderballistix.com. For personal stuff, you can catch me on MySpace: www.myspace.com/idee.