DJ Scratch

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DJ Scratch
DJ Scratch in 2008
DJ Scratch in 2008
Background information
Birth nameGeorge Spivey
Also known asJam Master DJ Scratch
Born (1968-06-21) June 21, 1968 (age 55)
New York City, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Disc jockey
  • producer
Years active1985–present
LabelsB.U.D.A. Productions Inc.
Formerly of
Websitescratchvision.com

George Spivey (born June 21, 1968), known professionally as DJ Scratch, is an American hip hop DJ and producer from Brooklyn, New York.[1]

DJ Scratch is the 1988 New Music Seminar Battle For World Supremacy DJ champion, the 2010 Master of the Mix winner and the 2012, 2013 & 2014 Global Spin Awards' "Turntablist of the Year". 19 albums produced by DJ Scratch were certified Gold in United States, seven of them were certified as Platinum.

Career[edit]

DJ Scratch was introduced to EPMD by Jam Master Jay at the Run's House Tour after DJ K LA Boss left EPMD.[2][3][4] Impressed by his skills, the two designated DJ Scratch as their official D.J. by their second album Unfinished Business in 1989. His presence was felt with his powerful cutting and scratching techniques that are heard on various tracks. Aside from scratching, on Business As Usual, he produced the track "Funky Piano", "Rampage" and in 1991 worked on a remix for "I'm Mad" off the "Rampage" 12" single.[5]

In 1992 Scratch produced "Scratch Bring It Back, Pt. 2 (Mic Doc)" and briefly worked with his cousin DJ Magic Mike[6][7] after EPMD broke up. Soon Scratch made a name for himself as a producer for Busta Rhymes and the Flipmode Squad off Busta's debut album in 1996.[8] By 2003 DJ Scratch became a well distinguished and revered hip-hop producer after working with 50 Cent, LL Cool J, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, DMX, The Roots, Q-Tip and other notable acts.[9][10]

Scratch was the resident DJ for three nationally aired TV Shows: Hip Hop Hold Em', Fox 5's Uptown Comedy Club and B.E.T.'s Rap City: The Basement. Scratch's film credits include Juice, The Original 50 Cent, Backstage, Fly By Night, Rhyme & Reason and Spike Lee's film Bamboozled. In addition, Coca-Cola commissioned Scratch to produce & feature in their first DJ commercial, "3 DJs".[11][12]

According to Parish Smith, an EPMD member, DJ Scratch left the group in 2015.[13] Scratch posted on his Instagram page words of resentment towards former participants on January 2, 2017.[14][15]

In 2016, DJ Scratch helped fill in for A Tribe Called Quest's DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad on their final album We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service due to Ali producing the soundtrack for the Luke Cage TV series with Adrian Younge at the time.

As of 2022, Scratch hosts The DJ Scratch Show on LL Cool J’s Rock The Bells Radio, which is a station on Sirius XM. It is a mix show that features the DJ curating a selection of classic hip-hop.[16]

Scratch calls Grandmaster Flash his mentor.[17]

Awards and nominations[edit]

DJ Scratch in 2005
  • 1988 — New Music Seminar Battle For World Supremacy DJ champion[18]
  • 2010 — Master of the Mix winner[19]
  • 2012, 2013 & 2014 — Global Spin Awards' "Turntablist Of The Year"[20]
DJ Scratch-produced works nominated for a Grammy award
Albums, produced by DJ Scratch, which were certified Gold in United States
Albums, produced by DJ Scratch, which were certified Platinum in United States

Discography[edit]

Main article: DJ Scratch production discography

References[edit]

  1. ^ Price, III Ph.D., Emmett G. (210). Hip-Hop Culture. Coughlan Publishing. p. 23. ISBN 1-4296-4016-2. Retrieved March 18, 2011.
  2. ^ "Rapper DMC Bestows 'Jam Master' Title Upon DJ Scratch". hot963.com. July 8, 2010. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  3. ^ "Walker Wear Producer Series – DJ Scratch • Word Is Bond". thewordisbond.com. January 22, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  4. ^ "DJ Scratch Interview: Cuttin' Up The Game". riotsound.com. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  5. ^ "Interview W DJ Scratch Of EPMD Performing At PLAY – Saturday!". hongkonghustle.com. July 26, 2016. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  6. ^ Torsten Schmidt, Emma Warren. "DJ Magic Mike". redbullmusicacademy.com. Red Bull. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  7. ^ "D.J. MAGIC MIKE, ORLANDO'S RAP MAESTRO BRANCHING OUT". orlandosentinel.com. Orlando Sentinel. September 11, 1994. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  8. ^ "DJ Scratch: Face Off – Interview". crazypellas.net. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  9. ^ "DJ Scratch Sway In The Morning Mix". swaysuniverse.com. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  10. ^ STAFF, AllHipHop (May 29, 2006). "DJ Scratch: Face Off". www.allhiphop.com. Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved December 17, 2019. The former EPMD DJ unveils his identity. Whether it's lacing hits for Busta Rhymes and LL Cool J, or popping wheelies, the face is revealed and the game is real.
  11. ^ "Coca-Cola commercial with DJ Magic Mike & DJ Scratch". youtube.com. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  12. ^ "DJ Scratch". Archived from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  13. ^ Eustice, Kyle (May 22, 2018). "EPMD's Parish Smith Talks "Yo! MTV Raps" Reunion & DJ Scratch Fallout". hiphopdx.com. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  14. ^ Clark, Trent (January 2, 2017). "DJ Scratch Clarifies Why He Aired Out EPMD On Instagram". hiphopdx.com. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  15. ^ "DJ Scratch Airs Out EPMD For Stiffing Him On Money (by D.L. Chandler) (January 3, 2017)". hiphopwired.com. January 3, 2017. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  16. ^ "Legendary beat maker DJ Scratch has new SiriusXM radio show". www.ny1.com. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  17. ^ "DJ SCRATCH SHOWS HIS SKILLS AND SPEAKS ON HIS LIFE, IN AN INTERVIEW WITH HOT 97'S DJ ENUFF". globalspin365.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  18. ^ Jenkins, Sacha; Wilson, Elliott; Mao, Jeff; Alvarez, Gabe; Rollins, Brent (March 25, 2014). Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists (2014) – page 284. St. Martin's Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4668-6697-3. Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  19. ^ "The Master of the Mix is...DJ Scratch!". prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved June 24, 2019.
  20. ^ "2017 – 2012 GSA WINNERS LIST BELOW". globalspinawards.com. Retrieved June 24, 2019.

External links[edit]

First Master of the Mix winner
2010 		Succeeded by
DJ P
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