Turntablism

Bewser, an active-duty member of the Air Force, delivers a Southern-influenced routine for DJcityTV’s Bedroom Sessions. Born in Hawaii, 33-year-old Bewser is currently stationed in San Antonio. When he’s not serving the nation, he holds it down at the Agave Bar on the San Antonio River Walk.

Tracklist:

1. DJ Jimi – Where They At
2. Big Tymers – Get Your Roll On
3. Drake – Nice For What
4. DJ Jimi – B#tches (Reply)
5. Project Pat ft. La Chat & Three 6 Mafia – Chickenhead
6. Cardi B – Bickenhead
7. N.E.R.D. ft. Rihanna – Lemon
8. N.E.R.D. ft. Rihanna – Lemon – Drake Remix
9. DJ Mustard ft. Dom Kennedy – Nothin Like Me
10. Nipsey Hussle ft. YG – Last Time That I Checc’d

Follow Bewser on Facebook, Instagram, Mixcloud, and SoundCloud.

Got what it takes to be featured on the next “Bedroom Sessions” episode? Send a sample video to brs@djcity.com.

Related: Watch DJ BZ’s ‘Bedroom Sessions’ Routine

Joshua Hodge, a.k.a. DJ@War, is a veteran DJ and turntablist from the UK. When he recently posted a video of a new scratch training app that he’s working on, we knew we had to get the scoop. Check out the app, skratchEZ, above, and read our convo with Joshua below.

What exactly are we looking at in this video?

This is one part of an application prototype I made for my final computing project. Basically, the concept is like DJ Hero but with real equipment. The game is a call and response: two bars of scratches are played for you, then you respond by trying to imitate what you just heard, and a score is given on how accurate you were. Then the process is repeated.

Awesome. So how did you come up with this idea and why?

It’s actually an idea I’ve had for about four years but didn’t have the skills to make it until last year. I thought, wouldn’t it be amazing if DJ Q-Bert’s DIY DVDs were updated with the technology we have today? Melodics was another big influence as well, with their finger drumming app. So many DJs I’ve met over the years have said, “I wish I could scratch,” but never had the patience to learn. Well, what if it was a game? I think that would motivate a lot of people to get on those decks!

Inspiring! This is obviously in the very early stages. How do you plan to expand development and what’s the overall goal?

Well, my big goal is that I have loads of ideas for the app and want to really push it forward to make it an interactive tool for people to learn and engage with DJing and turntablism. I think to make the app I want, it will take either investment or a collaborative effort with a company such as Serato or Melodics, but I’m going to keep pushing it forward.

I’m sure you’ll be able to drum up interest. Where can DJs who are interested stay up-to-date with your progress? Do you have a timeline for releasing something to the public?

People can check out updates on my programming channel called The Audio Programmer, where I teach people how to make their own VST plugins and audio apps from scratch. Also, I’ll be updating my accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. I’d like to try to set up for a controlled alpha release by mid-July. By controlled, I mean it would probably be limited to the Pioneer DJ DJM-S9 and maybe Rane mixers.

Very cool. Thanks for taking the time to speak with us.

Thank you to DJcity for the support! You guys are the best.

Related: Watch: DJ Precision Performs Routine and Reviews Rane’s New Gear

DJ Precision, a four-time DMC champ and member of the X-Ecutioners crew, has dropped a new routine for Serato. In it, he uses the Rane TWELVE controller, Rane SEVENTY-TWO and TTM57mkII mixers, and limited edition Technics SL-1200GLD turntable.

After his performance, the Queens native gives his thoughts on Rane’s latest products. Precision explains how he controls effects using the SEVENTY-TWO’s built-in touchscreen. He also notes the TWELVE’s hot cue buttons, and its ability to control up to four decks.

Watch the video above.

Related: DJ Total Eclipse Drops DJcity Podcast Mix

Break records have been used by DJs for decades. Filled with content that ranges from scratch samples to instrumentals, they’ve played a pivotal role in the development of turntablism culture.

To put a spotlight on what’s out there, DJcityTV has teamed with Antriks, the director of Battle Avenue, on a new series called Fresh Press.

On the first episode, Antriks reviews DJ TGK‘s Clear Cuts Vol. 1 seven-inch. The record was released on UK turntablism label, Up2Scratch.

Watch above.

Related: Print Your Own Custom Scratch Vinyl

Styluxtakut, a two-time DMC World finalist from Singapore, returns with a new mini mix for DJcityTV. His selection features his favorite current tracks from DJcity’s catalog, including two exclusives (tracks 3 and 6).

Tracklist:

1. Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – Finesse Remix – Inst
2. Lil Dicky ft. Chris Brown – Freaky Friday – Acap
3. Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz – Get Low – Delirious & Alex K Remix
4. House Of Pain – Jump Around – Safety First! Fester Skank Bootleg
5. Nelly – Hot In Herre – Richastic & Starjack Remix
6. RAYE ft. Mr. Eazi – Decline – Satoru Dancehall Edit

Follow Styluxtakut on Facebook and Instagram.

Related: Watch: Styluxtakut Performs Mini Mix for DJcityTV

A-Trak is known for pushing the DJ culture forward by creating new ideas to use in his routines then sharing how he comes up with them. As he in November when he broke down how he constructed his “rockstar” routine.

Today, the Fool’s Gold Chief has explained how he came up with a creative way to use Serato DJ Pro’s Slip Mode feature.

Slip Mode is a tool that enables DJs to manipulate a track without losing its playback position.

A-Trak uses the feature to integrate scratching into his mix while maintaining a continuous groove. He combines it with another idea he had in which he uses loops in his set instead of full tracks and what he achieves is a new way to perform a scratch routine.

In the video, A-Trak discusses his thought process behind the idea. He then demonstrates the technique using Basement Jaxx‘s 1999 interlude, “Jazzalude.”

Watch it above.

Related: A-Trak: Must-Have Items in My DJ Bag

DJ Dynamix performs at Aurea Vista Nightclub in Riverside, California on March 9, 2018. (Source: Aurea Vista)

DJ Dynamix has launched Open Format Fridays, a visual mixtape series in which he’ll showcase his turntablist-friendly mixes on video.

The three-time Red Bull Music 3Style Los Angeles champion described the series on Instagram:

“[I’ll] go through different themes and genres and try to tell a story through the music. I’ll be incorporating new and old mixing techniques and implement some of the newer features in the DJ technology world. This first episode is Top 40. Just wanted to do something everyone can understand.”

In the first episode, Dynamix takes viewers on a 10-minute journey through a variety of popular hits. He weaves together a few different themes using creative word play and tone play transitions.

Watch Open Format Fridays below.

Tracklist:

1. 2 Live Crew – 2 Live Party
2. Ariana Grande ft. Big Sean – Right There
3. Nelly ft. Fergie – Party People
4. Beyonce ft. J Cole – Party
5. Waka Flocka Flame ft. ft. Kebo Gotti – Grove St. Party
6. DJ Deville – Rockstars Rock Break
7. Post Malone ft. 21 Savage – rockstar
8. The Offspring – Come Out and Play
9. The Black Eyed Peas – Pump It
10. The Contours – Do You Love Me
11. Drake – God’s Plan
12. Demi Lovato – Sorry Not Sorry – Cabuizee Remix
13. Demi Lovato – Sorry Not Sorry – Tall Boys Alone Bootleg
14. Marshmello – Alone – Acapella
15. Major Lazer & DJ Snake ft. MØ – Lean On – BrainDeaD’s Booty Bootleg – Dynamix Intro Edit
16. Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – Havana – Jason Jani Wait x Lean On Blend
17. N.E.R.D. vs 50 Cent ft. Drake – Lemon – Anthem Kingz In Da Club Surprise Edit
18. The Game ft. 50 Cent – How We Do – Knock2 Remix
19. Montell Jordan – This Is How We Do It – Acapella
20. Lil Dicky ft. Chris Brown – Freaky Friday

Related: DJ OBSCENE​ and DJ Dynamix​ Perform a Routine Using Pioneer DJ​’s DJM-S3

DJ Woody has launched the Grind Strip, a device that gets mounted onto the edge of a turntable platter to perform “grinding” scratch techniques.

The idea first started in 2004 as part of Woody’s concept plans for Vestax’s Controller One turntable, which he helped develop. Vestax didn’t end up using it, so Woody has now brought it to life.

Woody tells us how it works:

“If you swipe over the Grind Strip with part of your hand as you move the record, the movement will be broken up as so will the sound, like a fader click. For example, swiping over one button will break the sound into two parts (like a tear), swipe over two buttons and you get three sounds, three buttons give you four sounds and so on.

The more pressure you apply with the swipe, the more defined the sound. This all allows for some very intricate and controlled faderless scratches. And the beauty is that it’s all using just one hand, so you still have your fader hand free for extra fader clicks, cue points, mixer effects or whatever you like. There’s tons to be explored (if you’re as geeky as me!).”

The Grind Strip is available for preorder now on Woody’s Woodwurk Records website. It comes in two sizes, one for a 7″ and one for a 12″ platter, and retails at roughly $22 and $25 USD respectively, plus shipping.

Watch a demonstration below and stay tuned for a review by Mojaxx on Tips and Tricks.

Related: DJ Woody Scratches Over ‘BocaWoody’ Single, ‘Freeze’

Damianito, the Red Bull Music 3Style VIII world champion, has thrown down an impressive turntablism routine for Italian magazine Soundwall. A Rome native and DJcity Italy representative, Damianito shows off his technical abilities and versatility in the 2-minute video.

Watch it above.

Follow Damianito on Facebook, Instagram, SoundCloud, and Twitter.

Related: Italy’s Damianito Wins Red Bull 3Style World Finals VIII

Poland is known for its vibrant turntablism scene. The country also hosts the IDA World DJ Championships and last year’s Red Bull Music 3Style World Finals took place there.

Two notable DJs in the scene include Keeper ET and Krootki, both of whom were featured on DJcityTV’s most recent Cutting Room episode. The two recently threw down a routine for DJcityTV using HUNDR’s trap heater, “Lava Drops.”

Watch above.

Follow Keeper ET on Facebook and Instagram.
Follow Krootki on Facebook and Instagram.

Related: Cutting Room: Poland (Feat. Phase Wireless DJ System)