There have been rumours circulating that indicated that Panasonic would be halting the production of the legendary Technics SL-1200 / SL-1210 DJ Turntables. We have obtained an official statement from Panasonic:

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM TECHNICS/PANASONIC UK:

"As a major global business, Panasonic keeps all of its operations under constant review. However, there are no current plans to discontinue the Technics Brand."

So there you have it, looks like the Technics brand is still very much alive and kicking!

BB King Blues Club 237 West 42nd St. Times Sq. New York City

On Thursday, October 22nd, 2009, many of the World's top battle DJs, turntablists and party rockers will gather on the wheels of steel at BB King Blues Club 237 West 42nd St in Times Square, New York City to celebrate the life and legacy of the late Grand Master Roc Raida!

The Grand Master Roc Raida Tribute at the Tableturns Reunion will bring together many of the biggest names and crews in the art form of Turntablism including Raida's fellow crew members from the X-Men and the X-ecutioners; fellow World DJ battle champions: Craze, A-Trak, DJ Shiftee plus DJ Scratch, DJ Dummy, DJ I-Dee, The Beat Junkies: Babu, J.Rocc, Shortkut and Rhettmatic; DJ Slyce, Roli Rho, DJ Z-Trip and a very special performance by MC legends: D.I.T.C.! Tickets are $20 in advance at Fat Beats NYC, the BB King Box Office and through ticketmaster, $25 at the door. Doors open at 10:30pm. The show begins at 11:15pm! 100% of the show's proceeds will go to his wife and children.

Tableturns, founded by Doug "Sugarcuts" Cohen, was the World's first open turntable event. It occurred monthly from March, 1997 through March, 1999 at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe in New York City. Not only did it markedly boost the skill level of DJs across the tri-state area, it became an institution!

Since Roc Raida's unexpected passing on Sept. 19th, 2009, at the peak of his career (the 1995 DMC World Champion was DJing for Busta Rhymes) famous friends across the world have organized fundraiser/tributes for his wife and children. The outpouring of sympathy and love has been tremendous! The event on Oct. 22nd will be followed by another star studded fundraiser in NYC on Nov. 25th at Nokia Theater (more info tba). His wife and daughters have also announced that they will continue the very special DJ battle that he created and organized since 2006: Roc Raida's Gong DJ Battle!

Friends who wish to organize a tribute/fundraiser should respectfully seek permission first, from his family, by writing to roc4raida@gmail.com. Friends who want to make a donation can log on to paypal.com and direct funds to the address: ladietye@yahoo.com. Please support a fundraiser near you and stay posted to myspace.com/rocraida for any and all official information released by his family.

"There are World Champions and there are DJs who also win our hearts.

Roc was a beautiful person, as great a DJ as I ever met with the gentleness of spirit that made him so special.

We will all miss him and will always cherish his memory.

Our deepest condolences to Roc's family from the DMC world wide family of DJs."

What is your earliest memory of a DMC Mixing Final?
"When I got a bootlegged VHS tape of the old Chad Jackson vid with him scratching with the pool stick! I watched that video like a thousand times because it was all I had! The picture was so grainy but I still loved every moment of it. The funny thing was was the hat he was wearing that inspired me to wear goofy headgear like it did in the DMC USA 1991!

How did you decide on your own name as a Turntablist artist?
I didn't. It was a Hi-School nickname they gave me for when I was on the J.R.O.T.C. drill team. Everyone had to have a stupid name, so all the old members can refer to us dorks a lot easier, ha ha. They named me after a video game that came out around the Pac-Man days. But I wanted to be something else like RipKlaw, DJ Venom, DJ Shinobi, DJ Titty-Licker or somethin ill like that, but oh well... that's how the cookie crumbles. On the bright side, at least my online school won't be called "Titty-Licker Skratch University".

Ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!! So moving on, who is the best technical Turntablist of all time?
"Lots of guys to mention here: Toadstyle, Rafik, Vajra, D-Styles, A-Trak, Klever, Craze, Woody, Ken-1, Kobeyer, Enfoe, Excess...wow, the list goes on..."
 
What are the most important five records that you have ever used as a Turntablist...
"Superseal, Training Wheels, Needle Thrashers, Rock The Bells, Ultimate Breaks & Beats..."

What tracks that when you hear up on stage spun by a rival, do you always think, 'oh god not again'?
"Superseal, Training Wheels, Needle Thrashers, Rock The Bells, Ultimate Breaks & Beats."
 
Great answer dude.

What has been your best ever display on the wheels of steel?
"There's a few inspired moments on youtube of me, but it's always those moments when you are recording and you say, "damn I wish I recorded that!"

What is going through your mind as you are waiting to step up on the DMC stage - the biggest stage of your life moments before you hit the stage?
"I hope there's a toilet close by! ha ha... But I do know that reviewing my set in my head before the show helps a lot. It's like when you envision yourself, then that's what you create it in your mind. Then there's other times where I clear my head and think of nothing, and sometimes those are the good days too. Then I just found out that the universe breathes in and out because it's alive as well, and so according to your birthdate and horoscope that there are days that you will do good and others where you will do not as good. But who knows if that's believable. The best is to just always be prepared and have practiced a lot...that's always the safest -  so before the show it's the most comfortable when your confidence level is high and you can give the audience the energy of fun that you emit when you are knowing you are in control."

Who in your opinion, has been the best ever DMC Champ we have ever had?
"Every single person was a genius, but I would have to give it to Craze for winning DMC million times in a row!"

Best Hip Hop record ever made?
"This always changes for me, but right now, it's those old Kool G Rap tracks that are continually on repeat for me like 'Kool is Back'. His flow makes me think of scratching as like the way he raps!"

Which one Turntablist over the years has performed the 'one piece' of magic in his set that you simply had to look away in absolute disbelief?
"There was a guy in the DMC Final that the judges didn't recognize - and he didn't make it to the actual World Final, but it's my boy DJ Vajra! His ideas are outstanding!"

How many weeks/months before the big night do you start planning your set?
"I think it is an everyday passion to be prepared always. But when we were competing, it was about two months prior to the day of competition to create a set. I always thought of battling as boxing or training for a fight. Those guys don't even have orgasms for weeks to keep that Chi energy inside them! My girlfriend was very understanding and knew I couldn't see her as much. I was really focused only thinking about different turntable and skratching tricks all the time. Sweating from all the fast stab skratching and yelling with the DJs I practiced with -Disk, Shortkut, Yogafrog, Flare and Apollo as if we were doing sets lifting weights, "FUCK YA! COME ON! LET'S GO FASTER! FUCK THAT SHIT, DON'T STOP! FUCK THESE OTHER DJS!" Ha ha... really nerdy turntable tunnel vision back then! Super down for the Hip Hop cause! I was even wondering why my mother and father were not skratching! LOL =P!  You can see I lost a lot of weight from 1992 to 1993 when I was training hard sweating from skratching...I even turned vegetarian to become more fit just to skratch better (so I thought)! I should make some video skits for our Turntable TV vids we do on youtube, ha ha!"

How many records do you own?
"Not sure...I guess maybe like 5,000 records. I always sell back or give away the junk stuffs. Sometimes, I give away something that I think is crap, but ends up later being a banger!"

What did your parents think back in the day of your chosen career profession?
"My mother always told me to follow my dreams and my father always told me to get a job, ha ha - a nice balance that kept me in the clouds as well as grounded. I love now to see things from different angles, just like the thought that we are all one person here in this universe. All god having individual experiences through as, the animals, the insects, etc. So when you see a rival, you are just facing yourself in another body! But 90% of the world still sees us as separate individuals...whoah! I got off on a tangent there?"

The DMC World Mixing Finals are 25 years young/old this year - how do you think the art of this craft has changed over the years?
"I'm always looking at the musicianship in the DJ, so when there is a great scratcher, I always pay attention -  there's always gonna be about 90% pretty good guys and about 10% genius...- don't get me wrong, you'll still learn something from the ok guys because no matter what, everyone has something different to offer, those guys that know to play the tables in a different and/or progressive way impress me and that is what catches my ear and I pay attention to. So with that said, there's some incredible talent that has evolved out of this art over the years and I am very pleased with the continual movement. I'm still practicing to get out of that 90% part myself, ha ha!"

How did winning the DMC title change your life?
Bribing the judges really worked. But seriously, it's a beautiful thing to get out some really non commercial ideas out to the public. I mean from DJing in my basement to having my own school online (Qbert Skratch University) it's just been an unreal dream come true! I mean of course no matter what, rich or poor we all still have challenges in life, but at least I can do a job that I am so passionate about! I love being able to make music and films that I love and especially because it's not the normal radio or TV stuff. It's really a very strange art that no one gets to enjoy or understand unless you are deep into the true school hip hop underground lifestyle. A very important thing for me is to enlighten the world about issues that others are afraid to address, such as taking care of our environment and the earth. It's like we are a sophisticated highly advanced bacteria on our planet's body with all our pollution and cities...we have to learn to become good bacteria like the kind in our tummies. So with having the exposure now, I can bring forth other things that the regular world would never see...it's such a blessing to heal others, and that's what we are as musicians. We are healers, Medicine Women/Men, Shamans, people that make others happy... blah blah, etc."

What country/city that you have visited after winning the DMC title has really blown your mind?
"Going to Lebanon Beirut with Mixmaster Mike after the war and seeing all the buildings looking like swiss cheese from all the bullet holes! What a strange place to have a DJ battle for us to judge! But it just shows that there are skratchers everywhere."

And finally, please give DMC a message of love for pioneering this amazing artform we have...
"Much love to Mr and Mrs Prince for bringing the world an outlet to see one of this Planet's most beautiful art forms in all it's ever changing facets! I owe you and everyone involved with the DMC my life! Thank you so much with all my heart! Peace and Blessings. Q x"

Craze. An honour. What is your earliest memory of a DMC Mixing Final?
"My earliest memories of DMC was watching Q-Bert do his world routine in 1991. That was such a mind blowing routine because of the creativeness that he showed. From the second hole on the vinyl, to doing juggles with both turntables on one side to transforming with the needle. He gave birth to alot of careers that night."

How did you decide on your own name as a Turntablist artist?
"I have no special story on how I chose my name. It was given to me by a friend of mine in High School."

Who is the best technical Turntablist of all time?
"The best technical DJ of all time would have to go to A-Trak. He's a Canadian don."

What are the most important records that you have ever used as a Turntablist...
Peter Piper, Skratch Fetishes Of The Third Kind Bully Breaks, Toasted Marshmallow Breaks, and Hoops and Mallets by Art Of Noise."

What track that when you hear up on stage spun by a rival, do you always think, 'oh god not again'
"'Toasted Marshmallow Breaks!!'"

What has been your best ever display on the wheels of steel?
The 1998 DMC nationals. That was the best."

"What is going through your mind as you are waiting to step up on the biggest stage of your life moments before you hit the stage?
"Honestly, the only thing on my mind every time I battled was "I'm the shit!!. " Nobody is taking this from me."

Who in your opinion, has been the best ever DMC Champ we have ever had?
"I can't answer that question without sounding conceited. I think I pushed myself harder than any other champion at wanting to be the greatest DMC champ ever."

Best Hip Hop record ever made?
"Pharcyde - 'Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde'

Which one Turntablist over the years has performed the 'one piece' of magic in his set that you simply had to look away in absolute disbelief?
"Q-Bert"

How many weeks/months before the big night do you start planning your set?
"You practice all year for different little parts in your routine and a month before battle you start piecing everything in to six minutes."

What did your parents think back in the day of your chosen career profession?
Back in the day my parents didn't mind me being locked in my room practicing all day. They knew I could be doing crazier stuff out in the streets. They were very supportive and let me take years off school to follow my dreams. Big ups to parents like mine."

The DMC World Mixing Finals are 25 years young/old this year - how do you think the art of this craft has changed over the years?
"Turntablism has grown in to this amazing art form. It has created some amazing producers  ( Shadow, Jack Beats, Kid Koala, A-trak) and it keeps growing. The art has become way more technical than ever and that's a good and bad thing. There's "heads" who love the art form and push the boundaries and then there's others who follow formulas."

How did winning the DMC title change your life?
Winning DMC changed my life forever. I get to travel the world and meet new and exciting people because of DMC. I get to provide my family with things I never had because of DMC. It has literally given me a better life."

Thank you Craze, beautiful words. What country and city that you have visited after winning the DMC title has really blown your mind?
" I remember being excited to go to Iceland the first time I went over there. I thought I was gonna be able to see the North Pole from Iceland,  ha ha. It was amazing to ride snowmobiles out in the middle of nowhere in Iceland."

What one Turntablist would you choose from 1985 to the present day - any category - would you like to battle against?
"I would love to battle either A-Trak or Q-Bert. They would push me to create something incredible."

Who is your opinion is the greatest ever hip hop DJ and why?
"The greatest hip hop DJ in my opinion is Kid Capri. I learned how to rock parties by watching him. He knew how to juggle and scratch enough to keep people wanting more. He always looked like he was killing it and that's one of the most important things I learned about being a DJ."

And finally, please give DMC a message of love for pioneering this amazing artform we have...
To everybody at DMC - I would like to say THANK YOU for everything you've done over the years. You have made so many people's dreams come true and continue to. You give kids the hunger and motivation that we all need to make ourselves better. You helped me channel my energy into something that is so amazing. Once again THANK YOU!!"

What is your earliest memory of a DMC Mixing Final?
"It was in 2002, two years after starting Turntablism where I entered the nearest DMC regional battle. It wasn't my first battle, but it was the first one which allowed myself to enter the French Final and it was kinda important!"

How did you decide on your own name as a Turntablist artist?
"Well, all my friends use to call me Pfel before I got into DJing, so when I had to choose a name there were no other choice than this one!  Actually, it comes from a French comic book where Pfel is a funny character..."
 
Who is the best technical Turntablist of all time?
"It's hard to just give one name, there're so many great DJs out there!. Well, I'll say Q-Bert for everything he brought to the scratch game, he's one of the originators for sure and he's still doing great. But I also have to mention Craze, The X-men, A-Track,  the Perverts, Netik ,Rafik, Tigerstyle and Troubl'."
 
List the most important five records that you have ever used as a Turntablist...
The Rolling Stones 'Satisfaction'  - I did one of my first routines with this song and performed it in my first battle.
Slum Village 'Disco' (Timbaland remix). I had eight or ten copies of that one, spent too much time on this juggle...
'FlyinSaucer 3' C2C I also did a lot of routines on that one.
'Supa Seal' - for all the scratch training.
And of course, our own press vinyl with C2C from 2004 till 2006.

What track that when you hear up on stage spun by a rival, do you always think, 'wow'
"I'll say DJ Troubl' with the Prefuze73 juggling which is, according to me, one of the best beat jugglin ever made on this planet. If it goes well nobody can beat that...  "tu peux pas test" in French. Also, A-Trak many times - I had that feeling while watching his routine so much...
   
What has been your best ever display on the wheels of steel?
"There have been so many but what I want to mention is the set up we are using with Beat Torrent for our AV show at the moment. It's a big installation with 2 screens , 4 turntables , 2 audio mixers, 2 laptop and 1 video mixer and it's very impressive live."

What is going through your mind as you are waiting to step up on the biggest stage of your life moments before you hit the stage?
"I make sure I have something to drink, something to smoke and focus on rockin the crowd!"
 
Who in your opinion, has been the best ever DMC Champ we have ever had?
"I'll say Craze 'cause as a solo DJ, he did one of the best routines ever for three years in a row and he always did it well."

Best Hip Hop record ever made?
"Hard to tell. I like Diamond D 'Stunts , 'Blunts and Hip-Hop'.
 
How many weeks/months before the big night do you start planning your set?
"It takes approximately 2/3 month to prepare the thing with the practising included."
 
What did your parents think back in the day of your chosen career profession?
"I should ask them! I guess they did not agree 100% at the beginning but they seem quite happy with that now."
 
The DMC World Mixing Finals are 25 years young/old this year - how do you think the art of this craft has changed over the years?
"Of course since the beginning there were a lot of evolutions in the way of mixing, scratching ,juggling and using the turntable. Many DJs mastered many technical skilz and it 's not just  2/3 guys who ruled the game. There are more and more DJs all over the world,  some feel concerned about technicality some others don't, but one thing is for sure, now the turntable is truly considered as a musical instrument and the status of DJ is getting bigger and better ."
 
How did winning the DMC title change your life?
"It hasn't change my life from one day to another . But it is true, that after 5 world title with C2C and all the work we've done with our management team over the last 3 years, it does start to pay and all of this combine together to as you say Dan, it does "change my life". But it takes time and also a bit of luck."
 
What country/city that you have visited after winning the DMC title has really blown your mind?
"We've been in so many nice places it's hard to just choose one. I  would say Asia, especially Thailand, Japan, China and Taiwan."
 
What one Turntablist would you choose from 1985 to the present day - any category - would you like to battle against?
"I'd like to battle against DJ Nike from Italy, he was off the hook."
 
Can you Breakdance?
"Only when I'm drunk"
 
And finally, please give DMC a message of love for pioneering this amazing artform we have...
Make scratch not war, but if you can make love instead scratching, go for love ! PEACE!

What is your earliest memory of a DMC Mixing Final?
"I've always been an avid fan of DJing so although I never witnessed the very first DMC competition back in 1985, I was very aware of the first winner Roger Johnson!"

How did you decide on your own name as a Turntablist artist?
"The original pioneers of this amazing art form all had dynamic titles like Grandmaster, Grandwizard or Grandmixer - but I only heard of one Cutmaster, he was from Brooklyn and titled Cutmaster DC and since I had already adopted the name Swift from my B-Boy idol Prince Ken Swift 'Rocksteady Crew', I married the two together...Cutmaster Swift was born. However, because of my popularity at that time as a B-Boy, a lot of people took a dislike to the name and thought it wasn't appropriate for a B-Boy!"
 
Who is the best technical Turntablist of all time?
"As technical goes, people will rather say Q-Bert, I rather focus more on his musical attributes though."
 
Please list the most important five records that you have ever used as a Turntablist.
This is real tough one, but as a party DJ spinning over twenty years I'm still safe with these...

A Tribe Called Quest - 'Low End Theory'
Public Enemy - 'It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back'
Michael Jackson - 'Off The Wall'/'Thriller'
Robert Nester Marley - 'Legends'/'Exodus'
James Brown - 'I'm Black And I'm Proud'

And also, what track that when you hear up on stage spun by a rival, do you always think, 'oh god not that again'
"That decision would only be based on how bad the DJ or Turntablist was at handling that record, the sample 'Ahh & Fresh' as a example to this very day is still very popular as it's the easiest way to see how great that person truly is."
 
What has been your best ever display on the wheels of steel?
"Good question. There's been a few but I will mention just two and they are of course DMC ones! In '88 I was invited to the DMC Holland Seminar and the set I performed had such a great impact that it even stole the show from the current reigning DMC World Champion Cash Money! The second was in my first title defence as the UK Champion in the 1989 UK Final, which shows me performing many of the foundation techniques like Lyric Cuttin', Beat Juggling and of course a victory dance..."
 
What is going through your mind as you are waiting to step up on the biggest stage of your life moments before you hit the stage?
"To this very day the same - nerves, excitement, and anguish!"  

Who in your opinion, has been the best ever DMC Champ we have ever had?
"It can only be - Craze, three times world champion - that is crazy.

Best Hip Hop record ever made?
"I feel like a parent choosing a favorite child. For me, Hip Hop reached it's peak musically, lyrically and culture wise in the early '90s and hasn't really had such a impact on me again since."

Which one Turntablist over the years has performed the 'one piece' of magic in his set that you simply had to look away in absolute disbelief?
"I believe the US champ Precision's vinyl manipulations with original records in the 2007 World Finals is still misunderstood today!"
 
How many weeks/months before the big night do you start planning your set?
"Three months, maybe less. I was fortunate to always be performing at some underground Hip Hop event so I had already created and crafted plenty of sets. If I got the musical choice wrong in those days, my audience would let me know so I learned to play smart and apply the exact same techniques to more familiar tunes."

How many records do you own?
"My collection of music is a taste of all different genres, Hip Hop taught me to never have a biased opinion on music styles, maybe that's why it influences most music forms today. Honestly though, I stopped counting after my 100th crate - I could say I own twenty thousand records but who cares if you think half of them could be crap! I do know I've got some out on loan so if anyone out there have got any of my records - I haven't forgotten!"

What did your parents think back in the day of your chosen career profession?
"My Dad gave me my very first gramophone, the original multimedia centre!. He used to build speakers for a sound system, so music hit me from a very early age. DJing was a hobby and my mother wanted me to get a real job as I dedicated all my time to it, I rarely left the house especially when I got good and drove her crazy with the hours of repetitive practising. It wasn't until I entered and won the DMC UK Final in '88 to prove, officially, I was the best in the UK that my parents realised that I may have a future in this profession."

The DMC World Mixing Finals are 25 years young/old this year - how do you think the art of this craft has changed over the years?
"It's constantly evolving, there's new scratches and vinyl manipulations being developed as we speak. But let's not forget the equipment side, from the needles that appear to be less brutal to records that are also now specially crafted by the competing Turnatblists - so there's a lot more vinyl interaction going on. Mixers have also advanced in so many ways too, but I'm glad there's still one original item still there holding it's ground from day one and that's the Technics turntable!"

How did winning the DMC title change your life?
"Winning the DMC World Title not only allowed me to be acknowledged Internationally, but showed me how music truly can breakdown barriers and stereotypes. I never imagined in my lifetime I was going to have the opportunity to visit so many places in the world from doing something I loved, especially in the non English speaking countries. I've seen some real thug looking guys step up to me and give nothing but love - this is a true test of music power. Often, I'm mistakenly taken for an American, which I'm proud to correct by saying "No I'm Black British!"  

Great answer Swifty. What country/city that you have visited after winning the DMC title has really blown your mind?
I've truly enjoyed everywhere I've been and had some hair-raising experiences in places like Egypt which was a surreal feeling. Looking at the Pyramids and thinking to myself -  I'm really in the motherland!?! I just never imagined ever being in that part of the World!"

What one Turntablist would you choose from 1985 to the present day - any category - would you like to battle against?
"Good question Dan. However, you know me well enough to know that I would never single out an individual to battle unless it was personal! So it's all or nothing, bring it on!!!"

Can you breakdance?
"Of course especially when there's £5000 and a gold turntable attached as a prize!"
 
And finally, please give DMC a message of love for pioneering this amazing artform we have...
"I thank and salute DMC for giving us Turntablists a world platform that keeps us spinning to infinity & beyond, I consider myself very fortunate to have become part of this elite growing family of champions!"

Yo Rob, you first got into DJing by watching your father and brother DJing...what's the story here, Salsa, Merengue, cheekily using your dad's equipment to learn to scratch on?
"Well, yes, my first true example of the roll of a DJ was my Dad.  He immigrated to New York City from Cali, Colombia in the 1960s.  He brought over his love for Colombian Salsa and Merengue and began DJing on the side to make extra money. My older brother and I would tag along when ever he was hired to DJ at parties. We'd help him carry all of his equipment, crates of records etc. I was also fortunate to have a brother who was into Hip Hop.  Not just the music but all of the elements -  Graff, B-Boying, MCing and of course, DJing because of my Dad.  My brother would take me to Block parties, house parties, even night clubs. I was a little kid amongst older teenagers being exposed to Hip Hop culture. So unlike kids today who get their Hip Hop from Youtube and such, I was witnessing it first hand, live and in the flesh. My dad didn't allow us to use his equipment, so my brother would wait 'till we had holidays from school and invite his friends over whilst my dad was at work all day.  I would sit in the living room couch and just watch my brother cut it up on the turntables whilst his friends would kick raps.  The rest is history."

You decided to go down a different route from most Turntablists - Hip Hop flavas weren't so much an influence...Funk and Jazz dudes were important to you - who?
"Unlike today's Hip Hop', I grew up listening and watching DJs create Hip Hop out of all genres of music; Soul, Funk, Jazz and Rock...thus, as a young kid, I fostered an appreciation for artists like James Brown, Bob James, and Aerosmith. I learnt how to scratch and mix on songs from such artists.  So naturally, their influence came out of me when I recorded projects like my first mix tape 'Soulful Fruit' and my first album 'The Ablist'.

You have worked with some of the kings - Linkin Park, Herbie Hancock and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers - revolutionary artists - how did you adapt to playing with such diverse artists.
"Whether it was touring the US with Linkin Park, recording scratches for the legendary Herbie Hancock, or remixing songs from my favorite Rock band of all time the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, adapting to these diverse selection of artists was fairly easy because again, I grew listening and appreciating many different genres of music.  I'm thankful for that because it went on to help me as an artist now.  I think the key to my ability to adapt is being opened minded.  Welcoming all forms of music.  Learning how to pick the best qualities of each genre and incorporate these qualities into what I do as a DJ."

Big 10 tunes you are playing right now rocking the dancefloor?
"To be honest with you, my 10 tunes don't reflect any of the new stuff you hear on the radio nowadays. I resort to classic tunes.  Music that's timeless will always move an audience, any audience for that matter.  

1. 'Choice Is Yours' by Black Sheep  
2. 'Dwyck' by Gangstarr  
3. 'Back to Life by Soul II Soul  
4. Melting Pot' by Booker T. and The MGs  
5. 'Immigrant Song' by Led Zeppelin
6. 'Right On' by Ray Barretto
7. 'Jump Around' by House of Pain  
8. 'Funkier Than A Mosquito's Tweeter' by Nina Simone  
9. 'Out On the Coast by Larry Willis  
10. 'Cavern' by  Liquid Liquid

Finest piece of Hip Hop vinyl - ever?
"Wow, that's a hard one.  I would have to go with the original copy of 'The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash' on Sugar Hill records.  It was the first record ever composed of just scratches."

What are you most looking forward to at DMC - World Final and the 25th Anniversary in London?
"Meeting all of the new, young talent from the rest of the world.  Getting to spend time with my peers. Talking to the people who come out to support the event and all of the DJs.  It's gonna be a memorable event for me, I'm sure of it!"

Tell us more about the performance you will be doing for Rane at the World Finals?
"I'm gonna be using the Rane TTM 57 along with the Serato Scratch Live software throughout the majority of my performance.  For those vinyl purist out there I will break out one routine which I plan to perform with only vinyl.  Overall, expect to see me do what I do!  I don't plan on trying to do anything "out of this world."  I'm simply gonna be myself and showcase my style of DJing!"

Best ever DMC Champion?
"I really don't believe in the classifying any DJ as "the best."  I believe all of the DMC champions have something unique they've brought to the world of DJing."

Who that you have battled against, did you think uh-oh...I am finished here!?
"I never go into a battle with the mentality of "uh-oh...I am finished here."  Naturally they're have been battles where I took mental notes of certain DJs style, tendencies, weakness, strengths, etc.  But one should always be confident in their abilities when in a battle."

Give us three tips for up and coming DJs to smash it...
"1. Be original 
2. Be well rounded - try and do a little bit of everything 
3.  Have fun!"

Are you the best Beat Juggler we've seen?
"Again, I don't believe in the term "the best."  Although, I would like to think I did my part to help elevate the style of 'beat juggling'.

You enrolled at Baruch College in New York City and in 1995 graduated with a degree in Psychology - so why did your love of music overtake such an amazing career/college choice that you studied for so long?
"I guess because I express myself most effectively through music.  Before anything, DJing helped give me an identity.  DJing gave me a purpose.  DJing helped me develop my character.  Thus devoting myself 100% to DJing after a graduated college was the most obvious decision for me to make."

Who in a battle would win - Grandmaster Flash vs GrandWizzard Theodore?
"With all due respect to Flash, I would have to go with GrandWizzard Theodore.  The man invented scratching!  What else is there to say?"

Best thing about New York?
"The diversity!  I love my city.  When I die, I wanna be buried in Jackson Heights, Queens!"

What does it take to be a dope DJ?
"Determination, focus, faith, belief, fearlessness, open mindedness, and probably one of the most important things...a willingness to continue wanting to learn, even when you think you've accomplished it all!"

Tell us all what every member of the X-ecutioners brought to the table...what were your skills...
"Each member of the X-ecutioners brought something special to the group.  Roc Raida brought that battle mentality.  He was always ready to battle anybody at any time.  That kept us all on our toes.  Total Eclipse contributed his youthfulness.  Eclipse kept us young and hungry, wanting to learn what new things we could do on the turntables to become better.  I feel I brought a cerebral take on DJing.  My approach to Djing helped emphasize the idea that it's not always about being flashy or fast.  That using the turntable as an instrument, the way John Coltrane played the Sax, could be just as affective and penetrating if done the right way."

What has been the highlight of your DJ career and also, the most embarrassing...
"Man, I've had so many highlights.  It's hard to just pick one.  Appearing in a Gap Commercial, shooting the video to "It's Goin Down" with Linkin Park was amazing, performing on MTV ICON for Aerosmith with the X-ecutioners, my first show with Bob James at the Knitting Factory in NYC, I can go on and on.  I wouldn't say there's a most embarrassing.  I get frustrated when I make a mistake or when there are technical issues like poor sound etc.  That's as close to embarrassing as I would say."

How do you think the art of Turntablism has evolved since you began kicking the decks?
"It's evolved in so many ways.  From the technology companies like Rane offering DJs like myself to advance the actual skill level amongst DJs.  The art form continues to evolve over time."

You skipped shop and went solo...what are you most proudest of production wise that you have brought us?  
"Out of all the work I've done with the X-ecutioners and the three albums I've released, 'War Games' is definitely the work I'm most proud of because of its content.  Not only did I succeed in showing why DJs like myself consider the turntable as a musical instrument, I also managed to create an album which made a social/political statement through the art of scratching.  A first for DJs if I may say so myself."

Best ever MC you have ever DJ'd with?
"I would have to say Akineyle.  Arguably on of the most underrated MCs of all time!"

Thanks Rob, see you in London...
"Thank you!  I can't wait!"

Hi Isaac, I have interviewed some DJs who began their career young - you started at the tender age of a mere ten years old - amazing. So...how on earth did you develop a love for music so young?
"Hi Dan. Well, my parents had a broad spectrum of music which was instilled into me since I was about six or seven. I think the main thing I loved the most was being exposed to almost every genre of music which in turn, helped my DJ career to build sets that would cater to everyone."


Who were your musical influences you looked up to when you first started to really understand what music was all about?
"Early on in my DJ career when I was about 11 or 12 years old (and even to this day as a DJ/Producer), Gang Starr (specifically DJ Premier) was a huge influence to me.  Everything from the scratch hooks/choruses to Premier's beat making, he was someone who subconsciously helped me develop my style of DJing and also production. As far as Turntablism goes, all credit goes to my crew the Trooperz (Geometrix, Enferno, Quixotic, Oz & Sneek) for exposing and educating me on the advancements of this uncanny art form. Without them, I don't think I would've progressed to the calibre of what I'm at today."

What is your earliest memory of a DMC World Final?
"The 1998 DMC World Finals. I remember watching that with my older brother and it blew my mind. It was held at the Palais De Sport in Paris that year.  What stuck out to me the most, was seeing the competing DJs be treated like Rock Stars by the massive crowd. Dexta, Crazy B were two people that dropped a couple of songs which made crowd go insane before they even started the routine. I couldn't believe it. Craze that year definitely helped solidify my decision to pursue towards becoming a DJ."

What are your big 10 tunes you are playing out right now?
1. Pitbull - Hotel Room Service
2. LMFAO - I'm in Miami Bitch!
3. Black Eyed Peas - I Got A Feeling (David Guetta Remix)
4. Kid Cudi - Make Her Say (Afrojack Remix)
5. Flo Rida - Jump
6. Katy Perry - Hot N Cold - (Benja Styles Remix)
7. 3OH!3 - Don't Trust Me (Benny Blanco Remix)
8. The Cool Kids - Miami Beach (Hydroz Metro-Dade Bass Remix)
9. Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
10.Kid Cudi - Day N' Nite (Crookers Remix)

Why has DMC been so important to the DJ/Turntablist world?
"It's the backbone, simple as that. If DMC didn't exist at this very moment, Turntablism would more than likely be dead, if not, on the brink of extinction. We're in a very fragile state with technology advancing and the whole soul and essence of the DJ slowly dying. I just hope that everyone who becomes a DJ or Turntablist gets the proper education and guidance whether it be through a DJ School or tutorial videos."

You have won the DMC USA Supremacy three times and also scooped Scribble Jam and the Gong World Supremacy by the age of 19 - two questions - one, what title are you most proud of - and secondly, what was your best ever winning set?
"Looking back, when I first competed in the DMC at Age 15, all I wanted to do was make it to the national final and be on the DVD so that everyone could watch my set. I ended up doing that and more when I was fortunate enough to represent the USA in 2005. My best ever winning set was at the US Supremacy battle in San Francisco mainly because I had to do on the spot re-arranging the order of my routines which was a gamble, but it paid off."

Why did you decide to hang up your battle headphones and concentrate on a full on DJ career in the clubs?
I attended culinary school and after that, opportunities came up to DJ full time since then. Honestly, it's what pays the bills and buying me studio time right now because my real love at the moment is focusing on my production and trying to brainstorm ways to take Turntablism to the mainstream. If things go according to plan, the way I envision it in my head - and without sounding narcissistic, my second album could be monumental. Lets just say that I hired a vocal coach, -haha."

Best album ever made?
"Michael Jackson - 'Thriller'"

Best club you have ever played in?
'Xaga' - Taichung, Taiwan

You are playing New Years Eve at an open air gig to 20,000 people in New York - what is your final record?
"Kool & The Gang - 'Celebration' or Black Eyed Peas - 'I Got A Feeling'.

You used to sneak into your brother's bedroom as a kid and practise scratching on his decks whilst he was out...what ever happened to your brother's DJ aspirations...?
"My older brother DJ D-Nero was featured in The Source Magazine back in 2003 for his Best of DJ Premier mixtape. He was always a bedroom DJ and once I surpassed him skill wise, he took a step back and helped guide me with his wise opinions which is still vital to me today."

What one country has really blown your mind after winning DMC that you have visited?
China without a doubt. The crowds were insane, more livelier than here in the States. On a side note, I've been fortunate enough to showcase and judge various DMCs that are still building their foundation. Ukraine was one of the more recent ones and I never realized I had so many fans out there. I was signing shoes, shirts, flyers, anything people could grab on before I could even start my set."

How has the art of Turntablism changed since you started mixing?
"The technicality and skill level has always progressed year after year. Fly's 2008 set was a great example of fusing advanced scratches into juggling patterns. DJ Enferno always talked to myself and the rest of our crew about combining scratching and juggling together in attempts to try to take things to a new level. My only gripe is the lack of originality and the whole custom record debate. I think that's one of the main reasons why turntablism is dying in general because whether you're a first time or regular attendee to a DJ battle, its hard to appreciate what they're doing when there isn't a song that the listener can recognize. The only people who can appreciate it are the nerds in the scene which is a fairly small amount. The competing DJs (with an exception of a few) are completely oblivious to that factor. Everyone needs to step their game up."

Who do you think is the best ever DMC Champion?
"Craze."

What did your school friends and parents think about you DJing at such a young age?
"I remember bringing my turntables into my 7th Grade science class, ha ha. All I remember was doing some drumming. It's funny when some old classmates find me on Facebook and bring up that specific occasion. Both of my parents originate from South America so Hip Hop in general is a bit of struggle to break down to them. My Dad had a stereotypical image of his son "DJing" until my brother and I showed him a couple of my battles on video and his eyes were finally "opened" in a sense. My Mom just recently started appreciating work once I was featured on Univision and G4TV. It was hard for them to support such a thing that I devoted massive amounts of time to when their mentality coming into this country was to work, work, work and make a better living."

You have shared the stage with the likes of  Lady Sovereign, Fat Joe, 3 Doors Down, Jean Grae and Pete Rock - who rocked it the most?
"Jean Grae. She's like an older sister to me. We try to keep in touch as much as possible via e-mail or Twitter. That aside, she's the one of the best MCs in the world, guy or girl... period."

What one band do you secretly love, that you probably wouldn't want your fans to know you like?
"Los Colorados, look them up on YouTube."

Tell us all about the debut album....
"Which is on iTunes, Amazon, Zune, Rhasphody might I add, ha ha. 'Solitude' is basically the album I always wanted to make. It contains of a lot of my childhood feelings, thoughts and adult depressions. I did however learn a lot from the project. I ultimately found myself restricted to a certain extent and I'm still experimenting on trying to find a way to communicate with the listener on a more personal level for my next album. At first, I was really nervous on how it be received from the community but it got a nice seal of approval from turntable recording musicians like Rob Swift and Q-Bert. Special shout out to Roc Raida, I was honored to release Solitude on his label."

Best bit of advice you have ever been given...
"Always maintain humility."

Tell us about your performance that's coming up at the DMC World Final 25th anniversary in September that you're doing with Numark?
"First off, special thanks for DMC and Numark for having me back at the World Finals as a headliner. I'm really excited to be amongst my peers again and showcase my stuff on the new NS7. I don't want to give away too much but there will definitely be Michael Jackson and DJ AM tributes. I have a good chunk of time for my set so expect a nice 15-20 minutes as opposed to a brief four or five."

Sum up the Numark NS7 for us that aren't in the technical know?
"It's basically a performance DJ controller that runs on Serato itch, All-in-1 DJ console. If you're coming from a turntable or CD-DJ background, you notice at first glance that it already has a friendly set-up with two rotating platters and mixer. Without getting nerdy about it, it's a great piece of equipment that's extremely easy to set up which is its big advantage along with its mobility. I look forward to transcribing the same skills I have on the turntables towards the NS7."

What are you most looking forward to at this years DMC World Finals?
"The after-party! Sally knows how to get everyone drunk!"