Various Artists

Editor's Review:

With national, regional and local media waking up and finally accepting the relevance of rap music and hip-hop culture, it's no surprise that Doug Pray's celluloid examination of the role of the DJ in hip-hop is gaining a lot of attention. Though it chronicles a movement that real heads have been aware of for at least the last five years (if not longer), Scratch manages to almost completely encapsulate the evolution of the DJ over the last two decades, as it has corresponded with the rest of hip-hop's growth. The film focuses heavily on NYC pioneers Steve D and X-ecutioners, and West Coast innovators Q-bert and Mix Master Mike, as well as current DJ heavyweights like Shadow, Cut Chemist, Craze, Z-Trip and many more, and looks at several different aspects of DJ life, from battling to crate-digging to working with groups. Not just for the core fans, Scratch will also appeal to those who are decidedly not in the know, as it is a largely attitude-free lesson on the technical and cultural aspects and impact of the hip-hop DJ.
- Max Sidman
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Record Label Palm Pictures Released December 2002

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