SCRATCH DJ ACADEMY OPENING IN MIAMI
Scratch will be opening a new Academy in Miami this Fall! Check out www.scratch.com for more details in the upcoming weeks.

DJ SHORTEE

Not only has DJ Shortee been spinning hip-hop, drum and bass, breaks, house, techno, funk, and soul for over ten years, but she has also made significant contributions to the art of scratching and beatjuggling. She was the only female DJ featured in Doug Pray’s critically acclaimed movie, “Scratch,” the only female DJ ever to win the Fever/Buzz Battle of the DJ’s (1997 at Nation in Washington, D.C.), and the first and only female DJ to release a full-length, solo turntablist album (The Dreamer). Shortee is also currently a radio DJ on Power 106 in Los Angeles.

Scratch: How exactly did you get into DJ’ing?
 
DJ SHORTEE:  Faust saw me playing drums in my punk rock band and told me that he thought I could learn to scratch really easily with my experience as a drummer, and then he offered to teach me. I gained a new respect for scratch DJ’s after seeing him scratch in my friend’s living room.
 
Scratch: What else was going on in your life at that time?
 
DJ SHORTEE: I followed the Grateful Dead and Phish concerts, listened to dance music and hip hop, and went to a lot of raves. I was always really into music and at that time I was playing drums in a punk rock band named “Food”. I was a sophomore in college studying graphic design. DJ'ing helped pay for my books and supplies and ultimately helped me get my degree in computer animation. Actually my DJ gigs today are still helping pay off those pesky student loans!
 
Scratch: Who or what are your main influences?
 
DJ SHORTEE: Everything influences me: the DJ students, my background as a drummer, all types of different music like Latin, salsa, meringue, hip-hop, house drum n’ bass, techno, scratching, punk rock, rock, funk, soul, jazz….everything! As far as DJ’s who influenced me, Faust started out as my main influence. I had started out learning to mix, scratch, and beat juggle all at the same time. But, I never took beat juggling seriously until I saw DJ Symphony perform who really made me think: “WHOA! I want to do that!” As far as other DJ influences I would include Craze, Klever, Q-Bert, Babu, Melo-D, Mr. Choc, all the Beat Junkies, all the ex-Skratch Piklz, and the Xecutioners.
 
Scratch: What did you practice, what did you do to get better?
 
DJ SHORTEE: Well, for one thing, I never stopped practicing…practicing regularly is definitely what makes a good DJ even better. No matter what stage you are in your career, you always have room for improvement. I practice mixing all types of music (house, hip hop breaks, drum n’ bass, funk, soul) and mixing these different genres helps me to mix better because I can use techniques from one genre and apply them to another. As far as scratching goes, I practice all the rudimental scratches, lots of repetition with and without beats. I work on technical exercises that build the muscles in my arms and hands that help me scratch better. I work on tons of different patterns and always try to come up with new ones. With beat juggling I practice rocking doubles in different ways, shuffles, looping, body tricks, walking, tap, pausing, and combos of all of those. I also practice with 2 different records. You can come up with new innovative stuff that way, rather than always working with two of the same record. I also work on routines which help me get better at all the techniques at one time. I make lots of mix CDs and try to incorporate a lot of the skills. Also, learning to speak on the mic and being able to command the crowd is very helpful. All of this happens over time with repetition and experience playing out. The more you practice, record mixes, and do live gigs the better you will be.
 
Scratch: Having been spinning for many years now and achieving much success, what advice would you give to our next generation of DJ’s?
 
DJ SHORTEE: Practice! Practice! Practice! It’s almost cliché, but practice is the foundation for all your goals as a DJ. As long as you have a love for the art, your end result will be as strong as the work and dedication you put into it.
 
Scratch: Are you working on any current projects?
 
DJ SHORTEE: Yes! I’m working on my next solo album. DJ Faust and I have also been working on joint albums. We’ve also been producing a lot of Drum n’ Bass singles and are working on releasing a full album in that genre too. Also, I’m now mixing on Power 106 here in Los Angeles (which Mr. Choc offered to me). I have since gained a whole new respect for the radio DJ. We have sssoooo many rules and there is no room for error on the radio. I’m also the ONLY female DJ this station has ever had so it’s a great opportunity for me and female DJ’s in general.
 
Scratch: What is the most memorable and exciting experience you have had as a DJ?
 
DJ SHORTEE: Too many too pick just one or say them all. DJ’ing takes me all over the world, put me in numerous documentary movies such as “SCRATCH” and allows me to meet all types of cool people. DJ’ing at the Playboy Mansion is pretty memorable. I get to meet a lot of celebrities which is cool. I love playing in front of massive crowds just as much as intimate venues. I enjoy DJ’ing on the radio and TV as well, even though it’s totally different than playing in a club. I’m playing on the new Tyra Banks Show, and that’s pretty cool. It’s really fulfilling for me to be able to teach others how to DJ, and I’m honored to be able to teach at Scratch DJ Academy. I am so grateful for everything DJ’ing has given me, and without it I probably wouldn’t have experienced hardly any of it.
 
Scratch: Any final thoughts you want to say to all the people out there?
 
DJ SHORTEE: Scratch Academy is such a good setting for people to come and not only learn how to mix but to also network and meet other people that are interested in the same thing. It’s so enjoyable to teach here because it’s not like regular school where people have to go and don’t want to be there….People love being here! Then you see students form crews like the SpinAddicts which I think ROCKS!!
 
Scratch: What websites can people find more info on you?
 
DJ SHORTEE:
www.FaustandShortee.com
www.DJShortee.com
www.TwiceAsNiceDjs.com