DJ Scratch facts for kids
Quick facts for kids DJ Scratch |
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DJ Scratch in 2008
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | George Spivey |
| Also known as | Jam Master DJ Scratch |
| Born | June 21, 1968 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Died | Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Years active | 1985–present |
| Labels | B.U.D.A. Productions Inc. |
George Spivey (born June 21, 1968), known professionally as DJ Scratch, is an American hip hop DJ and producer from Brooklyn, New York.
DJ Scratch is a champion DJ, winning the 1988 New Music Seminar Battle For World Supremacy. He also won the 2010 Master of the Mix and was named "Turntablist of the Year" at the Global Spin Awards in 2012, 2013, and 2014. Many albums produced by DJ Scratch have been very successful. 19 of them were certified Gold in the United States, and seven of those even went Platinum. This means they sold a huge number of copies!
His Music Journey
DJ Scratch joined the hip hop group EPMD in 1989. This happened after Jam Master Jay introduced him to the group. DJ Scratch quickly became their official DJ for their second album, Unfinished Business.
He was known for his amazing "cutting" and "scratching" skills. These are special DJ techniques that involve moving records back and forth to create unique sounds. Besides being a DJ, he also started producing music. He produced tracks like "Funky Piano" and "Rampage" for EPMD's album Business As Usual.
In 1992, DJ Scratch started working with other artists. He became a well-known producer for famous hip-hop artists. These included Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, LL Cool J, Talib Kweli, DMX, and The Roots.
DJ Scratch was also the main DJ for several TV shows. These included Hip Hop Hold Em and Uptown Comedy Club. He also worked on Rap City: The Basement on B.E.T. You might have seen his work in movies too. He was involved in films like Juice, Backstage, and Spike Lee's Bamboozled. Even Coca-Cola asked him to produce and appear in their first DJ commercial, called "3 DJs".
DJ Scratch left the group EPMD in 2015. In 2016, he helped A Tribe Called Quest with their final album. He filled in for their DJ, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, who was busy working on the music for the Luke Cage TV show.
As of 2022, DJ Scratch hosts his own show. It's called The DJ Scratch Show. You can listen to it on LL Cool J’s Rock The Bells Radio on Sirius XM. On his show, he plays a selection of classic hip-hop songs.
DJ Scratch looks up to Grandmaster Flash as his mentor.
Awards and Achievements
DJ Scratch has won many awards for his talent:
- 1988 — New Music Seminar Battle For World Supremacy DJ champion
- 2010 — Master of the Mix winner
- 2012, 2013 & 2014 — Global Spin Awards' "Turntablist Of The Year"
Several songs and albums produced by DJ Scratch have been nominated for a Grammy award. This is a very important music award!
- Busta Rhymes — song "Gimme Some More" (1998)
- Busta Rhymes — album E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front (1998)
- The Roots — album Phrenology (2002)
Many albums produced by DJ Scratch have achieved Gold status in the United States. This means they sold over 500,000 copies!
- EPMD — Unfinished Business (1989)
- EPMD — Business as Usual (1990)
- EPMD — Business Never Personal (1992)
- EPMD — Back in Business (1997)
- Flipmode Squad — The Imperial (1998)
- Q-Tip — Amplified (1999)
- Funkmaster Flex & Big Kap — The Tunnel (1999)
- LL Cool J — G.O.A.T. (2000)
- Busta Rhymes — It Ain't Safe No More... (2002)
- The Roots — Phrenology (2002)
- Talib Kweli — Quality (2002)
Even more albums produced by DJ Scratch have been certified Platinum in the United States. This means they sold over 1,000,000 copies!
- Busta Rhymes — The Coming (1996)
- Busta Rhymes — When Disaster Strikes (1997)
- Busta Rhymes — E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front (1998)
- DJ Clue — The Professional (1998)
- Method Man & Redman — Blackout! (1999)
- Busta Rhymes — Anarchy (2000)
- DMX — Grand Champ (2003)
Discography
