Scratch Makes Some Changes to Fall Term Classes

In order to prepare for the Fall Term beginning September 6th, the Scratch DJ Academy has been making some exciting changes. Scratch will now be offering 4 courses – two will focus on club DJ’ing including the skills of mixing and blending, and two will focus on turntablism including the skills of scratching and beat juggling.

Club DJ’ing (DJ 101 – Beginners and DJ 151 – Intermediate/Advanced):
DJ 101 will cover the basics, including basic mixing, blending, scratching and beat making. DJ 151 will continue to develop these skills and explore more of the club theory, with every student focusing on the creation of a 6 record mixtape to be made at the end of the term.

Turntablism (DJ 202 – beginners and DJ 303 – intermediate/advanced):
DJ 202 will focus on basic scratching from the baby to the chirp. In addition to learning techniques, the musical application of scratches will be explored. DJ 303 will be primarily taught by DJ I.Emerge who will review basic technique and explore the latest and most advanced scratch techniques.

As always, the classes will be taught by legends and celebrities such as GrandWizzard Theodore, Grandmaster Caz, DJ Evil Dee, I.Emerge, Kuttin’ Kandi, Johnny Walker Red, Neil Armstrong, DJ Daddy Dog and more.

Spots are running out quickly, but you can still sign up at www.scratch.com. Otherwise, if you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to email info@scratch.com.

Scratch Partners with NYU, Hunter College and BMCC

In keeping with its goal of elevating the DJ art form through education and access, the Scratch DJ Academy partnered NYU, Hunter College and BMCC to offer DJ classes to their students. The programs will begin in the Fall during which university and college students will be able to learn to the essential skills and philosophy behind the art form.

Scratch Tours

Scratch continues to be a part of the “Lipton Brisk Flavor of Hip Hop Tour”. The tour features Scratch DJ Academy DJs, including Jahi Sundance, Johnny Walker Red, DJ JF and DP ONE, teaching tour-goers how to scratch, mix and blend. You can also catch the Rock Steady Crew B-boys and B-girls as well as various Def Jam artists.Check out www.liptonbrisk.com for more details.

Scratch is also on the road with the Truth (www.thetruth.com), spinning and teaching on three of the summers biggest tours: Lollapalooza, And 1 and Hot Import Nights. The Lollapalooza tour features DJ Damian, while And 1 and Hot Import Nights feature local talent from around the country.

Check the schedule below to see when the different tours will be in your area:

The Lipton Brisk Flavor of Hip Hop Summer Tour

05/22/03 - Hip Hop Elements All-Star Weekend (Miami, FL)
05/23/03 - Hip Hop Elements All-Star Weekend (Miami, FL)
05/24/03 - Hip Hop Elements All-Star Weekend (Miami, FL)
05/25/03 - Hip Hop Elements All-Star Weekend (Miami, FL)
05/30/03 - Q Concert (Philadelphia, PA)
06/01/03 – Trendfest at Zootopia (New York, NY)
06/07/03 - Brisk Plaza Mall Party (New Orleans, LA)
06/20/03 - Freedom Festival (Detroit, MI)
06/21/03 - Summer Jamz (Detroit, MI)
06/28/03 - Big A Fair (Queens, NY)
07/04/03 - America Birthday Bash (Miami, FL)
07/12/03 - Birthday Beach Bash (Baltimore, MD)
07/25/03 - Arizona DiamondBacks Game (Phoenix, AZ)
07/26/03 - Fiesta Mall (Phoenix, AZ)
08/02/03 - Fantastik Bombastik (Los Angeles, CA)
08/09/03 - Bud Billiken Festival (Chicago, IL)
08/16/03 - Stone Soul Picnic (Washington, D.C.)
08/23/03 - Brisk to the Bone (Cleveland, OH)
08/30/03 - B96 Waterpark Event (Chicago, IL)
09/05/03 - San Diego Street Scene (San Diego, CA)
09/06/03 - San Diego Street Scene (San Diego, CA)
09/07/03 - San Diego Street Scene (San Diego, CA)

The Truth Summer Tours – Lollapalooza, and the And 1/Hot Import Nights Tours:


Lollapalooza 2003
Featuring DJ Damian

07/05/03 – Verizon Wireless Music Center (Indianapolis, IN)
07/08/03 – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater (Kansas City, KS)
07/09/03 – UMB Bank Pavilion (St. Louis, MO)
07/11/03 – Marcus Amphitheater (Milwaukee, WI)
07/12/03 – Tweeter Center (Chicago, IL)
07/13/03 – Germain Amphitheater (Columbus, OH
07/16/03 – Riverbend Music Center (Cincinnati, OH)
07/18/03 – DTE Energy Music Theater (Detroit, MI)
07/19/03 – Post-Gazette Pavilion (Pittsburgh, PA)
07/20/03 – Blossom Music Center (Cleveland, OH)
07/23/03 – PNC Bank Arts Center (Holmdel, NJ)
07/25/03 - Tweeter Center (Boston, MA)
07/26/03 – Vernon Downs Raceway (Syracuse, NY)
07/27/03 – Tweeter at the Water Front (Philadelphia, PA)
07/30/03 – Tommy Hilfiger at Jones Beach (New York City, NY)
08/01/03 – Nissan Pavilion (Washington, D.C.)
08/03/03 – Hi Fi Buys Amphitheater (Atlanta, GA)
08/05/03 – Sound Advice Amphitheater (West Palm Beach, FL)
08/08/03 – Smirnoff Music Centre (Dallas, TX)
08/09/03 – Verizon Wireless Amphitheater (San Antonio, TX)
08/10/03 – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (Houston, TX)
08/12/03 – Journal Pavilion (Albuquerque, NM)
08/13/03 – Fiddlers Green Amphitheater (Denver, CO)
08/15/03 – Cricket Pavilion (Phoenix, AZ)
08/16/03 – Hyundai Pavilion at Glen Helen (Los Angeles, CA)


And 1/Hot Import Nights Tour

07/09/03 – COBO Arena (Detroit, MI)
07/13/03 – Conseco Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN)
07/16/03 – CSU Convocation Center (Cleveland, OH)
07/17/03 – Nationwide Arena (Columbus, OH)
07/22/03 – Freedom Hall Coliseum (Louisville, KY)
07/23/03 – US Bank Arena (Cincinnati, OH)
07/25/03 – Savvis Center (St. Louis, MO)
08/06/03 – Charlotte Coliseum (Charlotte, NC)
08/07/03 – RBC Center (Raleigh, NC)
08/10/03 – Philips Arena (Atlanta, GA)
08/13/03 – 1st Mariner Arena (Baltimore, MD)
08/15/03 – MCI Center (Washington, D.C.)




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Interview: DJ Daddy Dog
by Will STar

Scratch: OK, I guess you can just start out by introducing yourself for those who don’t already know.

Daddy Dog: Whassup whassup...this is DJ Daddy "does em dirty" Dog representing the almighty 5th platoon.

Scratch: First of all, what exactly is your focus in this DJ game? Would you call yourself a battle DJ? A club DJ? A DJ?

DD: I wouldn’t necessarily say a battle DJ...but a DJ in general, cuz I can mix, rock parties, scratch and juggle. My goal is basically to elevate the standard in DJ’ing, whether its scratching, mixing, or rockin’.

Scratch: That’s cool. So how did you get your start as a DJ?

DD: Well...one day I was sick at home. I just got a brand new stereo system and I had some peoples over. I was dieing in bed, but I could hear my boys in the next room messing with my tape deck. They started repeating samples of a song and recording it... I was like, "Yo!!! That sounds crazy!" and just realized that instead of just listening to music, you can manipulate a song you like into something slightly different combining it with your own flavor.

Scratch: Who would you say your biggest influences in and out of the DJ world are?

DD: That’s a tough one, cuz I admire lots of people.

Scratch: How did you become affiliated with 5th Platoon?

DD: Me, Neil [Armstrong] and Roli [Rho] basically started it. In the mid 90’s there weren’t any other DJ crews representing in NY except the X-ecutioners.

Scratch: What part of NY are you guys from?

DD: Killa illa Queens...puttin Elmhurst on the map!

Scratch: Would you say that being in a crew has helped your DJ career overall?

DD: Yeah definitely, it’s a lot easier to make noise as a team than as one person.

Scratch: What would you say to kids starting out DJ’ing who don’t know any one else DJ’ing? What is their best chance to make it?

DD: First and foremost...you have to love what you’re doing. Because if you don’t...its so much harder to get good at it because the motivation isn’t there. And to practice a lot of different things...mixing different music genres, scratches, and try to do things the other DJ’s aren’t doing.

Scratch: That’s true. Ok, so what are your top 3 records?

DD: Eric b & Rakim, Guns & Roses, Marvin Gaye.

Scratch: Nice choice. So tell the people a little bit about your involvement with Scratch.

DD: Well, Scratch Academy is the ish. I teach a lot of the basic methods of mixing, but also incorporate modern tricks that most club DJs don’t use. I'm not new to teaching DJ’ing to people. But since my involvement with Scratch, I've learned the proper terminology to describe music, which makes for more efficient teaching. When I first started, I had no one to teach me anything about DJ’ing or even music. It took me about 3 years to be able to mix and scratch decent, but nowadays, I can teach people what took me 3 years to learn, within 6 months. I’m glad I can share my knowledge of DJ’ing with people. Each one...teach one!

Scratch: Finally, do you have any tips for any of the up and coming DJs out there?

DD: Don’t get discouraged. I feel 90% of people can be good DJs. It’s just that you have to have tight fundamentals. You can’t be a Michael Jordan if you can’t even dribble. Also, don’t be lazy and say...oh I can do this good on the left turntable...forget that...do it on the right too. Get dedicated and be on turntables as much as possible!


You can find out more about DJ Daddy Dog at www.djdaddydog.com .


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Have you ever gone out and bought a brand new record, just to bring it home and find out its warped? Doing anything along the lines of scratching and juggling are near impossible with a warped record, but there are ways to fix this common problem.

1. If the record is REALLY warped, bring it back to the record shop and show them. Most of the time they will understand and either give you a shot at another record, or refund your money.

2. If the record is slightly warped, there is something you can do to fix it. Place the record on the turntable and figure out which way the record is warped, whether it looks more like a satellite dish, or if just one side is bent. Next, pick up the record and gently flex the record back the other way, applying a little pressure, but make sure it’s not enough to snap the record in two (that would be bad). You need to support the record while you flex it, so do it slowly and take your time. Put the record back on the turntable, and it should at least be a little better than before. If not, try it again.

3. Try to flatten out the record by stacking up a bunch of your other records on top the warped one, or anything else that would weigh it down.

Finally, keep in mind that the cheaper and thinner the vinyl is, the more malleable it will be, so you won't have to worry as much about cracking it when you try to flatten it out.

Please feel free to respond to this e-mail if you'd like to share any thoughts or comments. You can also post questions and comments to our message board, TheCut, on Scratch.Com. We also are trying to get the word out about Scratch to all those who also are interested in DJ'ing. So please feel free to pass along this newsletter if you know anyone!