A-Trak (Canada) - DMC World Champion 1997 -- Winning Set

[@MotivationManifested]

A lot of people don’t know A traks full story. He was born at 15 years old. And has been ever since. The end. Amen

[@AayushVarma18]

I want to like your comment, but it has 69 likes. I will abstain.

[@MotivationManifested]

Aayush Varma I honour you for this worthy commitment to the cause. Amen

[@AayushVarma18]

@@MotivationManifested Never mind, someone just made it 70. Here's your like!

[@MotivationManifested]

Aayush Varma nothing I have is truly mine. Yet I appreciate the gesture. Stop in if your ever near the Dagobah system for a tea

[@playlist1883]

Hahahahaaaaaaa

[@TheRightLadder]

I was 15 in 1997. Scratched my knee once...

[@boerandemo7766]

And you got a like for that

[@uwebaganz5144]

😂😂😂😂

[@davidca96]

neat, I was 19 and plowing besh's.

[@zachstorm97]

davidca96 stop lion

[@Alfonsoltd]

I was 1

[@wafemaster]

Explanation for the millenium generation and after: Its not all about the song he performs, its about rhythm, precision, speed and passion. He uses no headfones, means he cant search around for the perfect line he needs. First try need to fit perfect, again and again. No auto sync, autotune or usb storage involved here. Its more Art like its music.

[@Zwedgy]

You use no grammar

[@wafemaster]

Zwedgy Yeah sorry for that.

[@jan_777]

@@Zwedgy You ain't using no grammar either.

[@Panzer731]

Yeah so? Everything has a level of complexity. I very much love what this kid was doing in 1997, but things change. Your condescending tone very much represents what the new generation hates about the oldheads. You all think this was the realest shit when in fact there is no real shit. Music is art and as such it can be interpreted in whichever way anyone goddamn pleases. Stop trying to make an arguement about how "new music is easy". If he used headphones, so what? Does he get less art points for using them? Should he play blindfolded perhaps? I don't get it, there's so much good music everywhere now and all old school guys do is complain about how the music sucks because of mumble trap.

[@jan_777]

@@Panzer731You're inconsistent. You're talking about that everything has a level of complexity, which should relate to scratching techniques since you're commenting on the TO's comment. Then you're suddenly writing about new music and that art is art and incomparable. There is still good music around...agreed. But that's not the topic. But scratching techniques haven't improved and by far not gained any higher level of complexity. That's what the TO is talking about. May be you (guess you're a "newhead") should start digging further into music culture and you'd find out, that oldschool was the real shit, and we're far away from having any new school. There aren't any new technique inventions, most use digital technology to do the same stuff that has been done 30 years ago. Only the level of complexity has diminished.

[@tasteofzane]

A-Trak was 15 and won. I knew he was talented, but 15. Damn.

[@Ts0usermax]

did he ever win any other major dj comps after this ?

[@seanm.collins9888]

***** Just for you: 1997 : Technics / DMC World Champion (15 years old - youngest ever)[26] 1998 : Technics / DMC World 2nd Runner Up[27] 1999 : ITF World Champion (Advancement category)[27] 1999 : ITF Western Hemisphere Scratching Champion[27] 1999 : Vestax World DJ Extravaganza Champion[27] 2000 : ITF World Champion (Advancement category)[27] 2000 : DMC Team Champion (with DJ Craze)[27]

[@kendo512]

15 years old, christ. I wish I started that young. I didn't touch a record til I was 25.

[@ryansmoliak9805]

Christian .H Thanks for the breakdown on Atraks wins at such a young age, it's amazing. I wonder how he got the money for all of his gear & set up?

[@vollsticks]

Okay gonna need some sources on this...I never thought he was the big fuss that people thought he was, his scratching was on point but there were better DJ's that year..still, I'd like to hear how his parents are "connected"

[@kreature7946]

Only REAL DJs understand how incredible this truly is. Dude fucking killed it.

[@centeguahan3760]

That's an understatement for sure🔥🔥🔥💯💯💯

[@matfosil8581]

i still think doing this kind of play is kinda hard

[@centeguahan3760]

@@matfosil8581 it's all from scratch... literally. Personally, I think it's best to be familiar with both deck styles, Versatility.

[@BigbrotherLover-lf7ch]

They don’t give world champion titles to dude’s that only wound it

[@Deeheeheee]

let's not gatekeep DJing. daft punk did Alive 2007 on tablets hooked up to Ableton live.

[@sukiafc]

Old school hip hop n bb era. No monitors, no headphones. Pure raw skill

[@DrRinse]

Pair of old school Stanton 680HP cartridges too

[@milanjankovic5499]

M P no headphones-only talent

[@Josh-ky8ei]

Straight tearin that shit up

[@rumaki]

Most importantly, no Serato cueing shit up and sampling for you

[@pulaski7621]

old school hiphop was the no skill era lmao

[@oglevong7815]

KZbin algorithm staying undefeated

[@rkan2]

oh yess

[@metalfingerz4203]

Yeah, I hope they'll never change it

[@Badj4s]

Yes!

[@giacomocastellofuentes8758]

Jajajajjaja

[@ryansmoliak9805]

Kid cant buy a lighter but can set those records on FIRE!!!

[@PretENDOgolf]

"DJs" of today's Era would have zero clue how absolutely insane and technical this is. Also dissing the priors year winner and no headphones, switching 1/3 to 1/4 multiple times. Absolutely a beast

[@DJMigrane]

I'd say that routine still holds up well, even after 17 years.

[@ThisCantBeAllThereIs]

Definite

[@busch028]

This is a pretty mind blowing set. If you watch the rest of the 1997 competitors, this was light years ahead.

[@djcie1018]

21 years now...

[@fredericksirucka8249]

Mc Parks agree true fact undesputedly rocking hip hop trick set whooph

[@ChrisClark_808]

Killing it with no headphones savagely

[@CookieCurls]

Technology may have come a long way, but the amount of talent you need to pull this off with this equipment has not. Wow that was pretty incredible.

[@slackjaw4467]

That juggling is obscene. He’s just so precise. Such passion too. Has anyone seen the Scratch Documentary? I saw it when it released. Good shit

[@animalpowerca]

What documentary ?

[@slackjaw4467]

@@animalpowerca it's called Scratch kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2nEfoCmpLiIibM

[@densaliv3478]

today,hes a EDM producer like the djs of today but the thing that makes him so unique in the DJ world is that he still does the real dj stuff,scratching

[@densaliv3478]

yes !

[@MajoraWaffle]

Duck Sauce is his main project atm I believe. Still has a lot of elements that make A Trak so great.

[@lawrencemills599]

Awesome

[@JoeMyspace13]

Scratching will never be the thing of DJing. The main thing is song selection.

[@joeldukes303]

Joseph Cabello highly subjective...There’s selection, matching,mixing,scratching, juggling and modulating. personally, I’d say the most important is mixing. Everything else can be walked back to a certain point. Even someone with no ear for rhythms can spot a train wreck right away

[@djmadwax]

mystery of the note at 0:45 - note from his mom saying he was in trouble for the opening intro with curse words ;)

It was a kabbalistic magick chant. I'm not joking.

[@moodSlime_]

No shit lmao

[@pabloefc9585]

@senwaxdavis yes bruv I love it haha

[@10fttall6ftwide]

If my boy could shred like this I'd let the swearing in the records go. This kids got a gift from God.

[@Fitforacting]

Max Power lol so true

[@stephenvale937]

Still to this day, the best live act I've ever seen, and I predominantly listen to rock music.. just spectacular start to finish when I saw him.

[@N4DRO]

I'm 20 and I spend my time sitting on the internet and wasting my life. Fuck.

[@epicgaijin]

So what you up to now?

[@kolaas2006]

Tell us N4DRO!

[@theone233]

Bruh

[@goper1408]

yoo

[@serbiseedafos4272]

N4DRO you still fucking young 26

[@hargerherbert]

hey I'm not sure whos missing what but I think it's amazing that DJ Qbert was told he couldn't compete at the DMV World Finals anymore so he showed up with the 15 year old Canadian unknown and took the cup took the gold and especially when his set talked so much Direct shit to all the other competitors he did an amazing job his first time out at bat and kept it going ever since!!!

[@newyorker19810]

Qbert was never told he couldnt compete. He just didnt want to anymore

[@RKarmaKill]

Holy shit that is some insane finger precision on the vinyl and sicko coordination with the crossfader. Amazing

[@mattbrad788]

Who’s here is 2019. I remember buying this on vhs

[@darrensmyth3684]

I'm here, haven't watched for years, forgot how good this kid, is was?

[@RizzlaBeats]

damn we are old

[@chrisrowl5001]

I’ve got this still on vhs

[@ETwOneE21]

Lmao. Me too and could wait to get home to watch it(over and over and over....)

[@TheMixCurator]

It normally takes me a while to skip and move to the next track on my record player. A-Trak just slams the vinyl down and BOOM, at the right point of the groove. Without headphones on. I'm gonna go out on a limb by saying he's probably practised this at least twice. Maybe three times.

[@rumanuu]

That last line actually made me lol 😅

[@hgffize]

yup. these edm lames think that hes not a rreal dj

[@DJDing23]

Definitely at least 3 times lol

[@olympian3]

@@hgffize they know how to press the space bar on their daw while this guy's gotta be a pinpoint genius

[@Andross224]

He is like my ideal fantasy version of myself as a teenager. What a prodigious badass.

[@minde961]

WHEN U REALISE THAT HE CREATED THE "HEADS WILL ROLL" REMIX. REALLY TALLENTED KID

[@Neeko_Z]

This kid barely ate. But one thing he did love were dem beets.

[@josephadams5282]

I still have this VHS of this battle, SALUTE A-TAK

[@_Dylanm]

When you're too young to buy a lighter you gotta learn other ways of starting a fire 😂

[@viedeciel]

Copycat

[@_Dylanm]

@@viedeciel It's not an original joke homie

[@facundosilva234b]

old but gold

[@zzzzz1823]

*fool's gold

[@ishaim2]

FFOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLSS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLDD

[@SledgeHammerWOOKy]

much much so fogging muc more better as 2000`s Dj`s ;-) because = old scool, laigg dis ;-)

[@BigStickyNugs]

I bought this on VHS :)

[@Borderlands808]

BigStickyNugs what’s that?

[@Pupenhausen]

I did as well 👍

[@RantePlayz]

@@Borderlands808 wow

[@themixgenius1993]

@@Borderlands808 VHS is an early iteration of video format before DVD or MP4 file, and even KZbin, Netflix, PornHub, and any other streaming sites today.

[@busch028]

Same

[@eviltreechop]

the start is brilliant and shows how accurate his scratches are

[@DirtyThumper]

The first 30’s are pure genius! A big middle finger to all the of Dj’s in the room!

[@abumc5104]

this dj's scratching is pure art. no headphones means, he knows his records well. respect this skills.

[@MP-666]

I was there that night and saw him win his first championship! Qbert did a guest set too, if memory serves me correctly, it was a looong time ago but so rad!

[@gregmadrigal6722]

Copped this on vhs back in 97 from G-force record store in Atlantic City. I have to say after all these years. The nobody beats the biz routine is and by far the best. He one the title that year and then came "Craze" who eventually one it 3 times in a row. I miss the older DMC battles.

[@lukehanlon3814]

Seen craze live…blew me away

[@ghfjfghjasdfasdf]

Masterful timing on everything especially the Beat Juggling. Easily one of the best sets the DMC Championships ever witnessed.

[@JaeSunTV]

I remember watching this on VHS

[@big-ice-doggie-tron879]

what the hey-hey?!? gives me chills every time! seen it on vhs in 1999 or 2000 (i believe), seen it 1000+ times since, & still get a thrill with every viewing! this kid was in his early teens, all of 63lbs, & getting cocky towards grown-arse-increasingly jealous/angered dudes in a subculture known for it's elitest environment full of bravado & wannabe macho-men! yeah, homie may have weighed 63lbs, but 40lbs of that was balls. one of the best parts: he's still out there pushing the culture forward! all love.

[@OphiuchiChannel]

I met him in 97-98. Very humble guy.

[@gpoop23]

Love the way he weaves the original song's rhythms into his own scratching and cutting.

[@subterraa]

15 years old ?? you have got to be fuckin kidding me hahahahaah holy shit man

[@RCKLSSHR]

Props to this guy! Doing all this without headphones... awesome!

[@jmichaelb3632]

The days before hot cues when ya had to put a sticker on the groove and have quick hands

[@jonathanhowe7918]

That fade action at 4.00 got me so shook I made a squeaky noise.

[@m00nshineDrUnkenMonk]

I love how we get to see all this stuff from back in the day that I missed at the time

[@CS-cl6gs]

All of the adult DJ's in the room were probably thinking, "Snotty little shit is stealing my thunder. I worked hard for years and it's being taken away by someone whose balls haven't even dropped yet."

[@TheRealChilly]

Sam Houston someone's jealous. Chill out.

[@mitpoker7319]

Chill Spongebob Narrator: Two months later...

[@hpereziii]

@@mitpoker7319 get a life dude lol I'm sure A-Trak is completely happy with the route he's taken

[@mitpoker7319]

@@hpereziii You're four months late, kid.

[@lawrencemills599]

Lmao

[@charliemedina7234]

I'm glad I was there when this was filmed 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥it was insane

[@konstzhu8440]

Как же он кайфует от своего выступления, вот это-истинный восторг!

[@cyrild.1214]

The beat juggling on Biz Markie's track is 😳... I have no word, still in 2023 !

[@timwalters8797]

2024! I agree! ✌️🙏👌

[@ScreenTalker]

YT knew i was ready to fall down a nostalgia hole and not get any sleep tonight...

[@davidsalinas7280]

Very impressive dj-ing; as is me commenting 6 years later! LOL! 🤔👍💿🎧🎼🎵🎶

[@louis-philippes1192]

I saw him go head to head with Albert at "Hang the DJ" It was honestly magical. Wow that was AMAZING

[@nuclearstevex4516]

🔥 talent! I was about his age in '97. Damn I miss these days! ☮️ and ❤️

[@donnybrascocoliogne819]

The Way REAL Scratchin is.......2 Turntables n a Mixer makin Beats n crazy Scratchez. Respect to Old Skool D.Jayin.

[@cristobalhernandez8937]

The love of hip hop, the passion, the creativity and the FUCKIN HAND EYE COORDINATION!

[@weeksyx]

A-Trak looks like 11 form Stranger Things

[@maryerre7092]

LOL

[@METTI1986LA]

or like vasquez from aliens

[@mr_diatribe2324]

With talent............................ Lots of ;)

[@marx41mans]

METTI1986LA Omg, you killed me with that one! -suprised nobody caught that!

[@bitinback2825]

Gregory J. Mansfield his parents lure him out of his room to do homework with waffles

[@Expertzero6Dingley]

Respect. By far the best Dj out there. Soooooo clean

[@rickmonroig1931]

Now watch it at 1.5x speed.

[@16BitBandit]

AMAZING!!!!

[@thedovahkiin1999]

1:20 first dubstep lick

[@guiltyfeethavenorhythm]

Fuck off

[@itsmatt745]

Most under-rated video right here....should have bout 20 million views!!! Sick ass kid!!!!

[@zeroeman]

Catching bodies since 97 ... What a killer

[@skum73]

Best DJ set ever for me. I dont think anything will ever beat this.

[@leonidasdraconic]

first of all This is fucking sick :D second I wonder what the other big time Dj's were like back when they started...like RL Grime and Baauer wonder what they were like :\

[@Ace_of_DiscaL]

Still got the VHS tape filled with this magic!

[@erichaller9822]

BRILLIANCE IN HISTORY. This set is INSANE!!!

[@sidehop]

Who had the VHS copy of this video 😁👍 I watched it soooo many times ❤️

[@htsauce420]

Fast forward a year and Craze straight strong-arms this 'kid'. 🐐🐐

[@johnfry8286]

Good friends but yeah craze is on another level, along with rafik, kentaro and plenty of others. I'd never say A trak is a legend of the scene but props to him for winning dmc

[@johnfry8286]

@Serial Killa wtf lol he wasn't an og pickle I thought he rocked with klever, infamous, craze in the allies. And even thwn being a pickle doesn't make u a legend imo. Mike is good but no where near top tier. Don't wanna sound like I'm hating but if A trak is a legend there are about 50+ in turntablism that's all I'm saying.

[@logicalblackman8228]

@@johnfry8286 “Mike is good but nowhere near top tier.” Which Mike are you referring to?

[@adamantiuscloudcat1799]

96 to 97 the DOPEST years ever.

[@P5Y5LY]

This is a legendary performance 💯

[@mopar_keys]

Lil bro was COOKING! 🔥🔥🔥

[@bochiecole]

2019, first time ever saw this, an insane set. Top three of all time.

[@seirichards9982]

Dmc battles were always dope ! 🙌

[@timwalters8797]

Hell yeah!! ✌️👌🙏🇦🇺

[@clinteastwood1339]

At 1:15 I just about lost it.

[@Relentless2112]

Taking two tracks in 4/4 and turning them into 6/8... bonkers

[@saf_nfk]

Yea 1:15 to 1:50 is mind blowing

[@soulscientific2685]

I remember watching this in 97.a friend of had the vhs tape.this brings back mad memories yo.

[@aamlinger88]

Dude just produced a bunch of beats for killa cam. Skillz

[@Darrylizer1]

I love how technology breeds new art forms.

[@felix_christopher]

This kid would'a show the way to 87% of today's DJs still.

[@skatechatham]

He still does

[@tiendang4440]

Why so many dislikes on this video, this guy is very talented and I'm glad he won the contest.

[@Pheonix2022]

That's the hardest I've ever seen someone work to make something that sounds like shit.

[@styhlezz]

CrazyMrMill Don't be mad at him. He's an Ipod kid.

[@scottsound4711]

kunfuz1on5 HAAH lov it HAAAH I-POD KID

[@Erliortmejurur]

kunfuz1on5 15 in 1997? not really an ipod kid

[@OHHGRIMMIE]

Pheonix2022 why? cause it doesn't have no 808s or trap snares that over rides the vocals of an artist using reverb and autotune because he can't rap nor sing and is some how popular even though his music is the outcome of too much lean and xans? cause that is the hardest I've ever seen someone try so hard to make something sound like shit

[@djsmileyoflasvegas]

Pheonix2022 i dpnt get it sometimes i was djing simce 16 on turntable if indid that shit at a neighborhood party i would have been shot to me it was always make all the songs seem like one big ass song with no breaks on point with scratching beat juggling.but this right here reminds me of the movie juice when they were battling

[@73lube]

Wow I haven’t seen this since 1997 and I had this on VHS!!! Crazy!!

[@kylealexander7893]

a-trak was born to be a legend

[@Davehiphop]

One of the best DMC sets...

[@MIGHTYCRUSIER]

Never knew Sid from Toy Story was world's scratching champion

[@Punisher6654]

Brilliant and such a young age.

[@rickylawrence8173]

When dj's were actually doing something live.

[@leehughes5733]

JHEEZE !! No headphones 🎧 thats what i noticed straight away raw talent personified right hear 1997 winning set 👌 !! 2019 and could watch A-trak all day being an old skool bboy this is truely fcking mazza outstanding still !! . Blessed yeah I'm out peace . ✌🇬🇧🎚💯

[@marcochacon8281]

The Real Dj ✊✊✊

[@jbb2660]

It seems like A-trak never gets old, stays 15 eternal.

[@frewjitsu_funk83]

Back when DJ's had to flip and change records. This has aged so well

[@rekitraph9142]

The way he flipped off everyone in the room mid beat juggle is so epic LOL. Routine is still so fucking bad ass to this day

[@dmattercooks]

He was schooled by DJ Qbert, of course he won. 👐

[@greymatter33]

Well deserved, I wish the DMC was still like this.

[@Jonathanlawlalot]

I can respect this as an art but as music I simply cant.

[@lol69_52]

Music taste is subjective, all of this is for the art and the music, not just the flair of it. There is a musicality in it, I personally think it sounds really good and funky, but it's not like that for everyone.

[@Quim1441]

@@lol69_52 true

[@verzeda]

It is music. As Edgard Varese said "music is simply organised sound"

[@lamborghinicountach7370]

Because thats a scratch DJing which a whole different genre from other electronic music genre

[@corinlanser]

Why u even here commenting then..duh!

[@rivumrejex2864]

This is the real deal no samplers or sound effects he even changes the vinyl while doing it! Much respect!!!

[@TstanDa-Man]

He changes the record because they didn’t have the technology yet where you didn’t have to.

[@ProfessorGenki9]

Absolute talent, mad respect

[@dasfreshyo]

A-Trak came to the Beat Lounge Bar/Club in San Francisco in 1996. He did some freestyle sessions with ShortKut. We were in awe that night.

[@calixa]

hes actually using an original Cold Chillin vinyl for the biz markie bit

[@gomethrius]

I gather that there is a strong division, although not apparent to most people, between DJ’s who play music to dance to, and DJ’s who demonstrate technical mastery like this....

[@ВладимирБакешин]

Красавчик!! Чисто на скиле!! Не наушников, не компьютера.

[@SpinSycle]

I love what djs speak thru the music

[@BlackDragonStudios1]

Can't believe I've never heard of this person before.

[@dvno4431]

The cockiness is the best part. Well knowing the type of person he is now. Doesn’t act at all cocky and should be since he’s the GOAT. Knows everyone in the music business from the mysterious hidden duos in France to the narcissistic Rapper in the US to Germany’s Techno God with unique eyebrows to back at the US with every rapper & mainstream artist that wishes they could work with A-Trak. Every rapper you admire admires A-trak he brought back Disco in a different form along with Armand and made into a side project. He founded Fools Gold. He’s arguably the best Disc Jockey of all time and his personality is humble AF.

[@YoussefAlmakdissi]

AKV V agreed