Nowadays, a lot of people say that "Hip Hop is dead". I'm sure any music lover or culture follower must have heard this many times or even said it themselves. But what does it really mean? In fact, I mentioned this topic is simply because I disagree. But, I am a fair person and I try to understand the other side of the argument first. I ask myself why would people say "Hip Hop is dead" in the first place? In my opinion, here are the types of people who, I think, are relevant to this topic, and, of course, I include my rebuttal:
1. People refer Hip Hop as Hip Hop music
With reference to the music side of Hip Hop, some people might think there aren't many new songs or artists which excite them. Fair enough. But here's the thing- since when could a music genre can be "dead"? when do you ever hear people say "yea, classical music is dead" or "duh, jazz is dying"? never! Also think more in a grand scale of things. short sighted people think old school or underground is cool purely because not very many people know or listen to that type of music.
Consider this scenario- Hip Hop music first became popular with Run DMC's Raising Hell and SugarHill's Rapper's Delight. These songs were the first "Hip Hop" tracks to top the charts. But how are chart toppers 15-20 years ago any different to current day billboard no. 1s? They would both be overplayed and "commercial" at the time, but once enough time has passed, people will start thinking it's "cool" by going back to the "old school".
Imagine 15 years from now, people will start thinking rappers like 50 cents are old school and keeping it real. Picture that... can't, right?
2. People who participate in the culture
By this, I mean DJs, MCs, B Boys, Graffitti Artists. There are a tonne of legit reasons why even those involved in the culture would even think this. Examples: DJs- "oh the music scene in Hong Kong clubs is so commercial"; MCs- "most canto rappers don't actually understand the concept of rhyming" (true by the way).
I guess to a certain extent complaints from Hip Hop-ers are true, given the circumstances. However it's missing the point. Rather than complaining about the problem with Hip Hop... why not be the solution? If you really think Hip Hop is dead because the DJs or MCs in your area suck ass, then why not be better than them and teach them how it's done? I don't think about you, but I started because I was inspired by watching pioneers of the art. People who inspire other people all have a uniqueness and a contribution to the art which is built solely from hard work. So instead of complaining about the uninspiring, why not be the inspiring?
3. People who don't know anything nor do they give a shit
I just posted a new scratch track I made with Dj Tin Ho and Dj Teddy INC
The samples are based on European battle breaks. The cuts are done by us and the last part of the routine is taken from Teddy INC's 2007 routine. It took around an hour to make, that's why it's a bit short. But still, I'm happy with it and I hope you are too!
It's time for the second part of the Best DJ list. I don't think I'll do one for the jugglers... too lazy, plus in this list there are some of the best beat jugglers anyway. So now I'll talk about the best battle DJs in the world. It's different from scratching because it's a composition of music.
In other words, it's kind of like the difference between freestyle rapping and doing a rap song... between an individual dancer and a crew of dancers. The concept is to make a song with highs and lows. It's different from scratching and you can't really compare the two. You can be an amazing scratcher but awful at doing routines, and vice versa. However the general trend is that the better scratcher the better routines. I think I just contradicted myself.
The following people have won countless World titles, created a movement in turntablism and unappreciated by the musically crippled. I put this in chronological order because since 2002/2003, after the Kentaro era, custom records came out. Before people had to use vinyl bought from a record shop. Custom records allows self-produced material, which gives more flexibility in the music genre. Anyway, behold:
DJ A-trak
His first battle was the 1997 DMC in Canada. He was only 15 at the time and went on to win the Canadian finals and the World Finals. By 18, he won all the world titles a DJ can possibly win. He joined the Allies crew with DJ Craze (below) and DJ Klever... and practised with the almighty Invisbl Skratch Piklz. Recently, he is Kanye West's DJ and he has a record label called Fool's Gold.
DJ Craze
Three time World DMC Champion. This is the most DMC titles a DJ has ever won, plus a load of others. He founded the crew the Allies, which was mainly a crew of US battle DJs. His innovation was he incorporated Drum 'n Bass into his routines. He is a very well-rounded DJ, and here is his 2000 winning set.
DJ Kentaro
DMC 2002 World Champion. I tell you this guy is insane. He is the first one to create a "concept" in his routine, i.e. to tell a story with his routine, which is quite subtle. He created the concept "No wall between music", which meant he incorporated all styles of music in his routine... house, reggae, drum n bass, hip hop... and puts it in a simple but genius way. This has heaily influenced all japanese DJs nowadays:
DJ I.emerge
This again is a multi-world title holder from NYC. He started the agressive and energetic style, and I think in general he is very entertaining to watch. He was one of the first who made custom vinyls for a battle, using his own production and some original songs.
DJ Netik
The last one is 2006 DMC World Champion DJ Netik from France. He also uses custom vinyl, but slightly different. He collaborated with a French producer called Le Jad, who created a new style in turntablism. The sounds are in general hardcore breakbeat electro hip hop... I guess. This has created a style that people love to hate. Despite that, I think he has done something amazing for DJing and for Hip Hop, and with the current debate over this type of music, it teaches people how important it is to have style. Le Jad has also collaborated with DJ Rafik, who is the 2007 World Champion. Anyway:
you know all the DJ mag top 100, International DJ positions... ever wonder why NO turntablists are included? I guess the reason is you can't compare them like-for-like, because turntablist and dance DJs are fundamentally different.
So, I have decided to compile the best DJs, in my opinion, around the world for 1. scratch, 2. juggle and 3. battle. I remember the first video I ever saw was Qbert and Mixmastermike, in the 1995 world final showcase. I fell in love straight away, not with the guys... but with their hands... ... no that sounds even worse. These are the people who have inspired millions and stayed humble. Hopefully, by posting these videos, people will be inspired the same way as I was... or maybe not.
Anyway, here is the first of the top DJs list:
1. Scratch DJs
USA
These two are Qbert and D-styles of the Invisbl Skratch Piklz. Some might say they are the best scratchers ever to touch turntables. Qbert is the inventor and developer of many scratches to date and D-styles has the most unique funky style. Other DJs include Vajra, Illtraxx and Ricci Rucker.
Japan
This is DJ Ken One (2002 DMC Japan Final 2nd place), one of Japan's best scratch DJ. It was hard to pick this one, because Japan as a country has the best scratchers in the world. Who would have thought? Another person I should have included is Miyajima (2007 DMC Japan Champion).
France
DJ Troubl (2006 DMC Battle for World Supremacy 2nd Place) is the most technical scratcher in France. I think this is more of an acquired taste, by that I mean it's difficult to understand the difficulty of his scratches. Note that I mean the technique of his scratching but not the sound he scratches. Others include Netik, Scratch Science DJs and Eko.
Germany
This is DJ Rafik (2008 DMC World Champion). This is actually a really old video, so I think he's even better these days. But yea, nice huh? Others are Unkut, and people in Noisy Stylus.
United Kingdom
The one on the left is Muzzell (2005 UK Champion) and the one on the right is Tigerstyle (2003 3x World Champion). These guys are just insanely good and very technical
That's all for the scratchers. More later bitches.
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