DJ Battlecat - 1990 DMC US Finals

After Joe Cooley, Aladdin, M-Walk and Tray Ski, the next great LA battle legend was DJ Battlecat (Kevin Gilliam), seen here smoking the decks at the 1990 US Final in NYC, in one of the greatest battle performances of all time.

[@DTAEXPERIENCE]

I was a participent in this competition on this night and I have to say that Battle Cat and a few others did their thing. What u have 2 understand is at this Level of Competition anyone can come away with a win ... However I knew if they Didn't give it to me (Couldn't finish my routine due 2 technical issues) They definitely messed up by NOT giving it to Steve Dee and that's Fact!!!!

[@MichaelShum]

respect and thanks for commenting! "if the beat is fresh diamond J will spin it!"

[@djekse]

Yeah, Steve Dee was deserving if the win because he and GM Roc Raida revolutionized deejaying.

[@PercivalFromWales]

You were there? Respect, man!😎😎😎

[@josephahn1024]

I have the most important true information / facts that you all need to believe. We are all sinners and we must get punished for all of our sins by spending eternity in hell but God LOVES US SO MUCH and to save us, he sent his one and only begotten son Jesus Christ to take the punishment for all our sins instead by dying on the cross so we can have eternal life with Jesus Christ and God in heaven. God raised Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day after he died. Jesus Christ will come back for the people that he chose. Also, please spread the gospel, the good news about Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, because people still go to hell for not believing in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

[@scoatbeats2379]

@@josephahn1024 Thor u were boutta say some DJ history shit lmao

[@rewade70]

No Headphones, just Knowing your Mark. SKILLZ!!!

[@unanimousarts]

I love the fact that he isn’t using headphones and rocking that shaky mixer like a champ.

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

that's why those lines are on the record you have drop zones don't need head phones - he was searching quite a long time in some parts of this battle even wrong side of the record

[@Sputz3]

The best HipHop producers was DJs first.

[@MACKMORRIS83]

💯💯💯💯

[@jkidesto714]

My dude was so young and skinny in the 90’s lol. Dude is a legend. Makes the best west coast beats

[@jkidesto714]

Iamyouonlydifferent he’s OG now, man. He’s one of west coast legends at producing beats. Look him up.

[@alvidama151]

SOME OF THE BEST PRODUCERS WAS AT FIRST A DOPE DJ !! LIKE DJ BATTEL CAT ; DR DRE :; EGYPTEN LOVER ; AND MANY OTHERS ; B SIDES MANY RAPPERS ARE DOPE DJS ; LIKE THE BIZ MARKIE !!

[@DJSouths1]

FACTUAL INFORMATION

[@cerkitbreaker]

we can freak it is easily in the all time top 5 g funk beats

[@waltongraham7031]

He's a great producer but I didn't know he was that cold on the turn tables. Major talent and underrated! Dope DJ set salute!

[@williedee6546]

That part

[@The_Angry_BeEconomist]

incredible, especially since its almost 30 years back, this set would still hold its own today

[@dj8inches147]

Why would 30 years render it obsolete? skills are skills

[@The_Angry_BeEconomist]

There's a thing called progression

[@dj8inches147]

So? whats your point? there's also a thing called technology which makes things easier. There's a thing in DJing called skill, there is this thing that happens with technology which make things easier, therefore requiring less skill. Do you know of other things that are called by names?

[@The_Angry_BeEconomist]

*yawn* bored?

[@eddiiie9790]

OG Battlecat only gets better with time. This is an amazing performance in 1990. I seen him at Dre Day 2020 in Echo Park and it was unbelievable. Had the whole venue going crazy as he mixed Parliament, Zapp, NWA, Dre, and Snoop into his set

[@TheTechnicalBrute]

Battlekat is a fucking legend in hip hop

[@yomommastupid]

No headphones no computer all by ear all natural talent

[@onetwo6675]

@ FunkyDoolittle DAM!!! I HATE WHEN OTHERS NOTICE SOMETHING I DIDN'T... YES MOST (#NOTABLE#) FOR YOU TO DESCRIBE & NOTE THAT OUT. WITH OUT (HEAD PHONES) HIS METRONOME TIMING HE WOULD HAVE SYNCH IN TIME WITH THE RECORD ALREADY PLAYING... MAKING IT ALL FREE STYLE NATURAL ALL BY (EAR TIMING SOUND) BOSSY A.F.

[@lokorulez3279]

Como debe ser...

[@Shortmixking]

That's how I like to dj

[@TheMaquinamix]

Como diablos sin audífonos pendejo

[@lokorulez3279]

@@TheMaquinamix tío,aunque lo parezca, en la miniatura no lleva audífonos...y en el video casi que tampoco.

[@647pettiford]

All it takes is that one needle skip and it all comes tumbling down. Excellent recovery and improvisation.

[@onetwo6675]

EVEN THE 1987 DMC CHAMPS I HAD ON VHS DJ BATTLE CAT WAS AHEAD OF HIS TIME. MASTER CHOPS, CUTS & BEAT JUGGLING, (MONO) SCRATCHING ALREADY PERFECTED AT AN EARLY STAGE OF TURN TABLEISM LANGUAGE

[@supersmallchibiwolf872]

He was so good that that guy at the end couldn't handle it anymore and realized that he was outclassed. Wonderful performance I loved it. This is a lost art but at least we still have these amazing vintage videos to go back to. Cool video. ^_^

[@Diaz23]

that shit was sick, he put low profile's pay ya dues instrumental classic

[@user-ot7xf6vz6h]

Man nothing but love & respect to all the pioneers that were here participating with the battle u all shaped the way turntablist are performing today in the 2thousands and beyond period

[@MACKMORRIS83]

Clean routine from the West Coast Legend! Love the groove he kept throughout the this set. 💿 Never knew he was a legit battle DJ!

[@pjgladidiomas4180]

I've never understood how judges Red Alert and Bambattaa were always so chill with head bob while judging these late 80s competitions.

[@hodaridaniels8786]

This is one my favorite djs and producers, he creste the g funk.

[@TGManagementCo]

Battlecat amazing scratch& juggle

[@PJ_White]

Damn, Red Alert had the permanent poker face!!!

[@mixmasterdisk2059]

He looked mad at 4:23 😂

[@EscoSar]

Salut DJ Battlecat!!! West coast Legend!!

[@marlonious7650]

That Low Profile is classic !!!!!

[@jaydublis]

I love this shit! Im a dj from this era and this about how i get down. 90's DJ'S SALUTE THE OLD SCHOOL. #BATTLECATSALUTE

[@djcoolcliff]

Cat is one of my favorite producers, talkbox, keyboardist and DJ! Extremely talented brother!!!!!

[@deecee3499]

Daamn he look like a whole different dude

[@lordg3803]

KILLED IT. TOO CLEAN. LEGEND.

[@hektikal]

How he does the tricks with the 900 number is just awesome! I had a lot of those vidz converted to cassette so i could listen to them on my walkman 😅 But indeed, this one stood out at the time and it still does. Sadly today we lost Mark the 45 King, the creator of the 900 number. Rest in ethernal Peace ❤

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

broke it on down

[@davewhaley6917]

No computer, no buttons, no tractor or serato , just a Numark DM1150A and two Technics SL1200’s

[@kinetic97]

That Ol Real 💩,my Prodigy voice Rest In Beats Brother👊

[@Sputz3]

Welcome to the future you fking CAVEMAN

[@vincepreston9304]

@@Sputz3 👄😂😂😂😂

[@TheNinja94a]

As a modern music producer me and older producers can agree on one thing: we are absolutely confused by each other’s technology and methods of production

[@nulinetransport12]

Damn Battle cat a legend

[@wickedwaiata2939]

Ending ... dude was like stop that right now!!!

[@PercivalFromWales]

I just listened to "The Real Roxanne With Hitman Howie Tee - Bang Zoom! Let's Go Go!" the other day. What he's doing with this in the first two minutes or so, is nothing short of excellent.

[@DjMotion]

Much respect to DJ Battlecat, West Coast Pioneer DJ : )

[@anthonyboard6009]

That shit was amazing!

[@djflipthat]

I do miss that switch that was used for transforming scratches. Yes you can do great scratching with cross faders but that switch was fun and amazing the sound you get from it

[@meechamaka411]

Was just about to say that! HAHAHA...

[@greatness3928]

I used to use it and I thought I was cheating lol didnt hv access to these videos then.

[@ransmomebloke1949]

@ Toggle switches DO NOT give the same sound effect as line switches. There is a difference.

[@pyromaximus8890]

Man at 3:20 I jumped out my seat! Battlecat is wicked asf.

[@MichaelShum]

no question about it! this is one of the dopest sets ever

[@mixmasterdisk2059]

@@MichaelShum 4:07 That beat juggle tho 🔥

[@ChiliBoOfficialTV]

Classic Legend! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@BHB_STL]

Homes at the end was just like "OOOOO-k"

[@bobbymaurais9984]

Real talent,real records,real mixer,real tables.

[@kollusion1]

It's amazing seeing the evolution of turntablism, into this setup, scratch, juggle, & mix styles, from only 4 / 5 years earlier!

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

this is when the juggle started to get hot

[@allenbowers1970]

I still have that VHS tape he murdered that ish...🤣

[@mixmasterdisk2059]

Here it is, this day exactly 1 year ago is when I was introduced to this art, and in a year I learned many things throughout this channel, rob swift, the jimmy smithson archives, and many more, props to all of you guys. Theres just something about seeing DJs compete for a world title and showing their particular style at the same time that gets me going, and 1 year ago my uncle showed me this video and I was blown away I said “wow that was fucking epic who knew somebody could do that with 2 records and 1 mixer” and little did I know he would show me a video of the 1990 new music seminar battle for world supremacy and it was brother jay vs Steve Dee, and once I got to Steve’s part I was… let’s just say speechless, and the rest is history. I wanna say thanks to all those legendary DJs that made this art and paved the way for turntablists today DJ Aladdin Miz Clark Kent Joe Cooley Steve Dee Rob swift Grandmaster flash Grandwizzard Theodore Tony tone Charlie chase Grandmixer D.St Red alert Jazzy Jeff Jazzy jay Grandmaster flowers Chuck chillout Marley marl Mixmaster mike Mix master ice Cutmaster DC Cash money Johnny juice Roc raida Mista sinista Total eclipse DJ Honda Apollo Q bert Shortkut D styles Babu Melo d J rocc Cut chemist Numark Z trip Kid koala DJ noize Cutmaster swift Pogo Cheese Cj mackcintosh Trix Richie rich Jam master jay DJ scratch Plazticman All of those names should be in the DJing hall of fame, well I just made one right now! Props to all the channels that provide an awesome piece of history for us to see and props to all those DJs up there that made it happen 🙏🏽✊🏾.

[@MichaelShum]

thats a great list for a hall of fame

[@mixmasterdisk2059]

@@MichaelShum thank you respect to you for posting such great content! ❤️

[@kinetic97]

Mixmaster Gee,Prince Paul,Mr Mixx,and DJ K L Boss

[@TheNinja94a]

MF DOOM and EL-P scratched too if I remember right

[@azddinenumericable]

dj aladin and wc 1988 profile for the last sample

[@pixelmethworld]

Love it!

[@QPe323]

Dope how Cat brought it back, and ended the mix on the West Coast with that Low Profile…Pay Ya Dues record.

[@zacharyharley7249]

When he’s drumming that 900 number.. that shi*t was crisp… those transforms with the clicker requires precision

[@MichaelShum]

even the backspins were so precise

[@chriscrumpbeats]

Battle Cat killed it!!!!🔥

[@shawn4ever77]

oh, just TRY to battle him. I Dare YOU!!!!! LOL

[@TJDavis-yo5eo]

Legendary DJ. 💯💯💯💯💯💯🔥🔥🔥🔥😎🤑🤑🤑🤑$$🔥🔥🔥🤑😎

[@DjNikGnashers]

Watching this back years later, others DJ's might have been a bit more experimental and unique, but the actual cuts and juggles in this set were really om point, the timing and musicality were better than other sets.

[@bumrushz]

Battlecat!!!! is the illest still to this day

[@angrykermit3192]

And this was before anyone figured out how to make a proper scratch mixer.

[@donmontero957]

Boy Cold🥶

[@Lovebeautyrocks]

Now this is what I remember, all these people that call themselves DJ's now I don't know what the hell. They just stand there with a usb and play music that's it. But look at this he is WORKING,

[@vandl107]

900%

[@WickedWaiata]

My OCD is kickin' in so much, I want to hold his mixer still ... Mad Skillz though 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@timothydavis6216]

Yes sir It's Real 😊 ZZZZ Zoom Very TALENTED 🎼🎼🎼🎶😁😇

[@rondef]

Imma go on a limb and say ATCQ's '89 style had an impression on Cat

[@JamesThomas-pv5en]

Wow I never knew he was a Dj on technics finals 😮 amazing skills on the desks back then. One of the best music producers too 🔥🔥

[@lls3676]

This is what you call SKILL. No turning or twisting knobs and no pushing buttons on a laptop.

[@mixmasterdisk2059]

4:20 battlecat was vibing to his own scratches, he is a legend....

[@SabreGamer]

420 😄😄🌿🌿🔥🔥🌬️

[@Supastuff2-lt6dq]

word to mother, dj battlecat was prob hella faded doin that shee@@SabreGamer

[@SabreGamer]

@@Supastuff2-lt6dq fr fr

[@erickonasis31]

I never had access to ANY of these tapes in 89 90. Boy these would have helped

[@robertmartin5555]

Back when DJ ING was a skills no laptop

[@FaderFlosser]

Wow only 1000+ subs!? Shows how many ppl care about this stuff😟. Thanks for sharing!!

[@JMJC1]

amazing.

[@AltaLofts]

dj red alert in the cut

[@fourdevils694]

AND Jazzy Jay

[@jakobs9585]

AND Richie Rich

[@SuperFatrock]

Man I had a 12" by him Dj N Effect with scratching and mixing but nothing like what I just saw.Man he was really a battle dj.

[@CommunitySkratch]

Amazing

[@MCee8]

Love that DOC part

[@Itsgeestatus]

Now This Is What Defines A DJ😎 (Some Of Y'all Might Wanna Hit Replay🎥)

[@LGKids]

You can get whiplash watching this cat on the cut! Peace!

[@djraven6864]

Luke Skywalker aka Luther Campbell is pretty good on those turntables! I thought he was just a hype man for the "2 Live Crew". More than a hype man he's really good at doin trix in the mix and this proves it for real yo! Dj Luke Skywalker Skratchin!!! The force is with him when he's on those turns!!!!

[@jimmyhendrixs2799]

He was smaller then that back in his tom and Jerry days when he was a dancer! R.i.p the homey dave!

[@Lemunard]

They never imagine how Battlecat went to a westcoast legend

[@LeonardL.BeaufordDJToneyBAward]

were watching 2024 were here Now

[@poniboishelluv8982]

Myyyyyyy bahhhh Dang!!! I miss the 90s Real Talk If Generation X go back and listen to some 90s hiphop they'll understand where I'm coming from. music today is all about the beat 90s music was about the music and lyrics RealTalk Poniboi Shelluv

[@jasongonzalez2856]

Dude gen x is 90’s hip hop bro!The year ends in 81 son!

[@craigjones2859]

amazing

[@CharlesBronsun]

Great Job Battlecat.... i peeped the haters.

[@lennylenn4009]

O.G 1580 KDAY MIXMASTER.. SECOND OR THIRD GENERATION BUT STILL A WEST COAST PIONEER N GANGSTER!

[@Timothy-bb7nw]

Radio one underground G.side 2am Top 5 Best of the Best DJ MUSIC MIXS picks🔥🔥🔥VOLUMES UP 👆 YES SIR ITS THE Wednesday EDITION 💯💯💯👍😎

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

He's a mster of the game .. funny guy at the end putting his dirty finger on his vinyl - back story on that one.. Red Alert got animated by that one

[@IceManLikeGervin]

Dopeness!!!!

[@nextspectra]

fun stuff

[@seanfresh266]

I liked this from Battlecat and remember us seeing this back in the day, Thanks for posting. Not sure how Baby G won over Steve Dee though, I guess using your foot impressed the judges instead of the innovation of beat juggling. Glad this is up and people can see it.

[@ChaosBeforeOrder]

Top notch

[@MaurizioCarrar]

number one!

[@playboyvic]

GREAT LEGENDARY....

[@smackdammit4266]

Respect the 🐐

[@bigpip555]

When he put his face on it 🤣

[@1017_MGN_MDR_BSR]

This real djying not the water down crap with a Mac- Book learn you busters! ❤❤

[@corywilliams458]

Aww man...he hit'em wit dat Low Profile!!!

[@shawnmoore8791]

definitely nice

[@williambasiege4355]

Real skillz 💯👊🏼

[@savagelychill2858]

Let me find out my man had the Z Cavariches on 😂! And a Tie Die shirt! Salute DJ Battlecat!!! Helluva Dj & Producer!

[@walterfernandogaliza8072]

eu curt este tempo era muuuito bom.

[@johnnychavez3618]

Dj battle some dope ass shit

[@yassasloan7308]

feeling those grooves on the vinyl... My mother was trying to sell my PDX-2000...if she wasn't my mother id kill her! 😂

[@birdbangbobaruni]

low profile w/ the doc nice

[@lyfestile7]

DOPE

[@yooaab]

actually he is from LA, and not Long beach

[@icecute42424]

rude! 6:20

[@UserRjt]

This speaks more to me than the mumble rappers nowadays