DJ Rob Swift's 92 East Coast DMC 6 min winning set

With the 2015 American DMC finals just around the corner, I've been super nostalgic lately.
If feels like just yesterday I was preparing to compete in the 1992 American DMC Finals against the likes of Roc Raida (R.I.P.), The Rock Steady DJs, Exotic E and a slew of other competitors from across the country at a chance to fly over to London and compete for that coveted world title.
For those who may not be familiar, DMC (Disco Mixing Club) is a worldwide DJ competition. From Australia to London, DJs from around the globe battle it out in their perspective countries first. The winners from each country make their way to London, England with hopes of being crowned "world champ" after going against the upper echelon of Turntablists.
In honor of this Saturday's American DMC at Webster Hall, here's some #ThrowbackThursday footage of me competing at the 1992 East Coast DMC. My victory wouldn't of been possible without the mentorship of Andrew Venable aka Dr. Butcher and my partner in "Beat Juggles" Joey aka Mista Sinista.
I remember Joey would trek it to my parent's home rain, sleet, snow, day or night just to time me and offer feedback on my progress. What's cool is witnessing me physically prepare for the 1992 East Coast Regional indirectly helped Joey adapt my system of manipulating records into his own unique style.
Oh, and if I may, this is the first DMC battle in which 3 members of one crew claimed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Yeah, that's right. The X-Men did a clean sweep!
1st Place: Rob Swift
2nd Place: Roc Raida
3rd Place: Johnny Cash
‪#‎XMenFOREVER‬

[@logicalblackman8228]

Wayback in 1997, I was part of a small group that brought the X-Men to Seattle. I was unfamiliar with their trademark gimmick where they drop out the music, do a little gesture, then point to the record and the sound comes back on. Anyway, Rob was doing his routine and then he stepped from behind the turntables and went to the crowd and then pointed at the turntable, but nothing happened. He later told me he had messed up; but I had no idea what to expect so I never knew anything was wrong lol. A few months later, I was watching the videotape of the whole performance and I got so hyped that we decided to bring them back out later that year. That first show had a crazy bill. In addition to the three X-Men, it had D-Styles, DJ Quest and his band Live Human. It also had Radar and Z-Trip, whom someone else had brought in and of whom I had never heard of at that time. When we brought the X-Men out the second time, they were going by the name X-Ecutioners and Total Eclipse was with them. J-Rocc (Beat Junkies)hosted that show. The 90’s were so dope. That’s also where I learned that Roc Raida was actually super nice and that his intimidating battle persona was just an act. Rest in peace the Grandmasta.

[@garygordon3835]

Once a year, I watch this routine thinking this guy really went bananas 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@cizzle456]

I never seen anyone freak a entire record like that biz routine in a battle.

[@tetnology]

they made a button for sync, but they ain't neeever gonna make a button for that shit. teach the children.

[@nailthenamekian5090]

+Paul Milegg lmao tru

[@logicalblackman8228]

The Biz routine is my favorite of all time! Shout out to the legend Rob Swift!!

[@swadetrackz]

yo man we need to get back to this style battle..heart and soul. no relative modes.

[@RUDOLPHLYRICS]

hold up, no tonearms? hahaha. get outta here? It's so easy in relative mode because there is no skipping. I hate current DMC

[@music-albums]

🤗Yes wish that too!

[@pdubdesigns8961]

Anyone else get goosebumps - not ashamed. 1986 was sophomore in high school in South Florida - Power 96.5 shout out. At 16, I removed the backseat bench of my Super Beetle and made a cabinet that filled the rear, floor to roof, with 4 12s - BOOM!

[@soulnauticdj]

this absolutely amazing!! and i been watching scratch videos for a while. Rob swift went bananas. make me proud to have bought the Executioners album in high school down here in South Africa. It was definitely :"going down". peace yall.

[@black169escalade]

You are one of the best dj/ turntablist ever, and you have been for a long time, I know that I’m getting cuts, speed, precision, and lots of dope routines and will never be disappointed, definitely in my top ten djs of all time

[@djekse]

That's my coach! Well ahead of his time with the breakdown swinging beatjuggling. Perfect timing too.

[@djrobswift]

Respect!

[@VocalChainsStudio]

Cannot comprehend the genius of this artist. Sheer greatness.

[@Djwunmoshen]

This is still the greatest damn strobe/chase beat I’ve ever heard…. Someone can rap on it. This is Hip Hop!

[@scripturestalkdj1525]

I’m my humble opinion, “The Biz” routine is what BEAST MODE looks like.

[@RondaldJames8]

"Fuck sampling records, y'all should start sampling DJs"...Yrs later lol

[@cwpalacios1]

ahead of its time.

[@kiumeafuraka9900]

Legendary set DJ Rob Swift! #TrueTurntablism #Xecutioners #LegendaryRobSwift Rest in Paradise Grandmaster Roc Raida! Much Respect from the StL !

[@Thomas_Swift]

Truth we all went at it with our true skills, needles breaking during scratches, people bouncing to the beat juggles at times would make the record skip, no hitting switches to get back to cue points, str8 skills, slipmats, and heart. THE NMS BATTLES WERE THE ESSENCE OF YEARS OF PRACTICE AND STUDYING YOUR RECORDS, I WAS HONORED TO BE A PART OF MANY OF THE NMS REGIONAL BATTLES. MUCH RESPECT TO ALL OF US THAT PARTICIPATED.

[@donbishop9910]

When the dj was the master of the equipment, now the djs are slaves to the equipment.

[@davidrafkind8278]

Perfectly stated

[@steviejay868]

You probably can't even dj on a controller lmaooo foh....

[@scottsound4711]

@@steviejay868That’s Cus if you use a Controller you’re not DJ’ing you f o o l

[@steviejay868]

@@scottsound4711 me saying can't even means that you can't use a controller neither a pair of 1200s dumbass. So how can you judge when you can't use none of the above goofy 😂

[@Kill3mallk3v]

Rob! SERIOUSLY BRO! That timing you had on the routines were waaaaay ahead of the curb! That biz Markie breakdown EPIC! (GET FUNKAAAY!) AND THE P.E. welcome to the terror dome part Was Dope! I reference your video to a lot of people when it comes to timing and just pure creativity. I'VE commented on your videos before and you always answered me back Thanks! As a fellow turntablist it's well appreciated coming from you! You're the man ROB! Dj KillEM All Kev

[@djrobswift]

Kill3mallk3v Hey man, you show me love, I show you love. There's something to be said for reciprocity. Thanks for the kind words. With regards to "The Biz" routine, I couldn't of done it with out Dr. Butcher's mentorship, Mista Sinista's feedback during my practice sessions and the guidance of God.

[@londalecarter3482]

@@djrobswift You stay humble!! That's why greatness comes to you. How old were you in 92. I was 10 in the 4th grade. seems like a lifetime ago.

[@djrobswift]

@@londalecarter3482 I was 20 years old brother!

[@AnExperimentedTerror]

That Welcome To The Terrordome routine is fucking ridiculous no matter how many times i watch it! Phenomenal from start to finish! 👑

[@MyBadboy3000]

rob is awesome he not only did his thing back in the day the now is teaching so many new dj the art of DJing and Scratching his tutorials are the best I watch his channel while I practice my scratching ROB your the best !!!!!

[@JGheddo]

Great set deserves to win

[@fkutb]

I know I'm super late but this cat set the bar real high. No buttons, just mixer, wheels and wax. 💪🏾

[@MrVan77]

He knew he was about to blow everyone's mind in the venue at 1:37. That head shake said it all!

[@djrobswift]

🙏🏾

[@rgbeee.1826]

@@djrobswift Rob, just gotta say-- I love you so much. You saved my sanity! I used to put Dope on Plastic on a loop, and unload mail trucks all alone in the darkness of my tiny Post Office, life saving music wayyyyy back then, and right now, as well. Thanks for being beyond fantastic! 💜💜💜

[@jamboskinner]

hands up ROB. I watch your videos from here in Kenya n I thank God for you guys who av mentored so many of us young deejays

[@djrobswift]

Right on brother 🙏🏾

[@EliteScentsOnly]

If he didn’t stop,he was about to set those tables on fire.😮

[@antonb1026]

The MC at the end... "Start samplin DJs...!"

[@noobsaiboat]

Amazing ! Greetings from Poland ! Skip Proof Scratchers respects You and all X team.

[@djrobswift]

Respect back!

[@beezilla87]

But when somebody told Clark Kent “you shoulda quit a long time ago” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@buddafingaz9403]

Awesome, much Respex, Big Upz, & Mad Love to the DJ Rob Swift..... Your appreciated my ninja..... 👍👊💪🙏😎

[@ianclements948]

4.15 man that was dope!!

[@mixmasterdisk2059]

R.I.P Biz Markie

[@sawyerthereal]

Flawless Victory!!

[@BassoHittoDubbo]

I can smell the sweat & vinyl. Incredible set.

[@djrobswift]

Thanks man!

[@SeasonedTones]

Rob Swift and that hot oily rubber odor when the transformer under the platter gots hot....!!

[@DGalzak]

@@SeasonedTones no

[@yuckfou4367]

F*cking dope..Respect and greetings from Greece!

[@gdupkwin9676]

SON OF A BWORD!!! I make it a point every year to watch the greatest sets in history,d.js rock steady,Steve Dee ( who was robbed against baby g(anybody seen him lately),cash money,and of course Rob,and ad I watched it right now ,I yelled GHEAD ROB!!! U sir are a genius as always God bless you and your family 🙏🙏p.s for the first time I noticed the RHCP SHIRT(MY FAVORITES )

[@djrobswift]

Mega respect 🙏🏾

[@lustforlow-end6022]

Hello Rob, you are a Beast 👍

[@mrpotteresq]

❤ #Legendary

[@billbangz]

91" Roc Raida 92" Rob Swift X-Men...

[@LIGHTSKINTELEVISION]

incredible !

[@markieOD]

@djrobswift what is the title of the last song you used. I stumbled on the X-men via a song Roc Raida produced for the New Jersey Drive film "Funky Piano" and dude shouted out Roc Raida and I went down a X-men rabbit hole from there. Yall truly inspired me to tap into DJing/Turntablism and I am definitely gonna get my equipment and sign up for your classes. Much respect DJ Rob Swift.

You should remake this set and recorded it now with new sound quality! its so good ! just an opinion of course big respect

[@grahamgramy1131]

Funk flex show, he nailed it!!!

[@harlemscott9041]

wow love watching these old school routines of Rob and also Roc Raida

[@donferguson6031]

Who knew. Thats the best thing I ever seen. Like the man said. "This is no joke" sounded like a guitar legit whilst doing body tricks... phew. Listen again now

[@MAGIKORBIT]

Lawdamercy Brother Rob

[@louderthanabomb]

Those were the days!

[@djrobswift]

louderthanabomb Yes they were!

[@johnaguayojr2188]

I second that. Man needle dropping was so sick an keeping your vinyls clean with no scratches lol and uou had to buy doubles if u was gonna mix lol

[@beezilla87]

Back when djs had soul

[@CainaanDC]

One of the reasons why im a dj

[@djrobswift]

Respect

[@DJSoulBuck]

BodyBag!!!💯💯🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@CasWreckinCrew]

Brilliant.

[@djrobswift]

Thank you!

[@gdupkwin9676]

Blessed by God to see another 🙏 1 and watch the all time greatest, simply amazing 👏 what happened hear is elevation greatness and the list goes on "HERE THE DRUMMER GET WICKED"!!!!

[@MrPerlys]

Nice!🚨🚨🚨🚨

[@bobbydigital8111]

to take a sample thats eight notes and move it into triplets....so fucking dope...thinkin like a drummer....

[@Darksaige]

That's STYLE right there!

[@shonkytours2039]

Wow, I've been a techno dj since the early 90's. Been playing all over, but never seen beat manipulation like that before! Blew my mind. Awesome!! We missed out on this in UK!!

[@elibsf]

that was amazing

[@djrobswift]

elibsf Thanks dude!

[@elibsf]

no problem homie! it's some raw talent right there

[@charlesnichols5420]

Love this dude, been watching his shit 2week straight, who did that No body beat the biz routine first, did Cash money or u

[@newyorker19810]

Smooth

[@KINGTRAGIC1]

The good ol days

[@AYATOLLAHBEATS]

And He Used My Flight Cases As Well That Night 👍🎼🎶🔊He Caught Super Wreck

[@johnantoine1433]

It's 2023 and Rob still seift

[@CutlooseCutandCook]

Hahahahaha oh man you were way too ahead of the curb bro. No one else was doing theatrics like that. How funnys ol'mates comment to the host "you should of retired years ago" HAHA LOL. U continue to inspire Rob. And it's obvious that the next 6yrs worth of winners were inspired too. If you know what I mean. Keep pushing boundaries bro. Respect

[@djrobswift]

+Cutloose I appreciate the love. Glad you enjoyed my little 6 min DMC set!

[@milesfolley6840]

Whoooo that was funky.

[@huntersmith8082]

Watching all of these vids from rob has really made me want to learn, but I have no idea how, anyone got any tips for a loser who wants to scratch a bit?

[@djdeus]

God I remember getting this bootlegged tape from Qbert. The Red Hot Chili Peppers shirt was one thing I remembered about this battle aside from the dope Biz routine which is still a favorite of mine to this day

[@DGalzak]

stfu

[@djdeus]

DGalzak make me, keyboard warrior 😂😂

[@DGalzak]

@@djdeus do you have a toddler in your family?

[@djdeus]

DGalzak you threatening my family? Hope not

[@DGalzak]

@@djdeus how tf is asking if their is a toddler in your family threatening, if you do you should live with a toddler and see how stress-inducing it is

[@paigemckendrick6341]

I'm wishing to be a DJ when I grow up.

[@The_TimeWizard]

Deadly!!

[@djrobswift]

Respect!!

[@DJPrimeCuts1]

So so so so dope!!!!!

[@iamhydrogen1]

First track: Biz Markie - Nobody beats the Biz

[@KINGWURLD2023]

Whewww

[@mrstriper34]

The funk🤘🏽 Classic routines.. please bring back vinyl to djing

[@djtechnics5430]

Fuggin lovin it !!!

[@grahamgramy1131]

Did you compete in the dmc before?

[@Akestler]

look, no computer!

[@laprora2017]

Beat juggling don`t a pc

[@laprora2017]

need

[@SoundwaveTheBADman]

GYOT DAAAAAAAAAAMNNNNN!!!!!!!!!! INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!

[@pf7618]

DOPE, FIREEE

[@DjSirSparx]

Even in your classics videos you guys when she is so impressive on the set this jungle here is just too funky you are definitely most definitely one of the greatest who's ever done it respect #Str8Fax 🎚🎚🎚💣💣💥

[@ftnrbhmwk]

he should have won the whole DMC with that routine............

[@robswift1551]

Ha! Thanks.

[@ftnrbhmwk]

Rob Swift can you still do that routine with the body tricks? LOL

[@djrobswift]

ftnrbhmwk NOPE! LOL

[@laurieso678]

Rob Swift Yea tf he can!

[@truetothegame2928]

When a DJ never looks at the crowd ! ,,, the dude still engages and talks like a robot 😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂 !

[@vandamation]

I remember when they killed Stretch n Bobbito show. AS WE SAY IN THE QUEENZ LOUNGE... ROB SWIFT GETS BUSINESS!!!! HISTORICAL NIGHT... HISTORICAL ROUTINE.

[@mbxluis]

classic

[@SChild5.]

🔥 🔥 Period.

[@eltaltarofnv]

hell yeah!

[@kaosstraxx4119]

Todays DMC is Like todays star wars🤣

[@19dawud]

Funkeeeee!

[@donbishop9910]

6:09 used on their x spressions album.

[@gaffle-411]

Yo camera man.... KEEP THE CAMERA STILLLLLLL!

[@SHAWNCAPRI]

7/11/22....🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@d.j.ghetoswift1206]

💪💪💪

[@OGxTimeAxe]

Does anybody know the names of the songs played at 0:00 to 3:00? Thanks.

[@djrobswift]

Hey bro. The name of the song is "Careless Whisper".

[@i-zbeats1397]

What the song at 4:49

[@JMJC1]

James Brown.

[@i-zbeats1397]

@@JMJC1 which one

[@JMJC1]

@@i-zbeats1397 get up..

[@JMJC1]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3O8mY2rfLlrprs

[@creamofthecroporganics7190]

Fuck it up Rob!!

[@OgDj2024]

👍🏾

[@bratharick702]

🔥🔥🔥🔥👊🏽👑

[@dizzychizzy1]

Give me some bubblegum…🆘

[@DJNEDROY]

da skill of actual battlin not the wack push button shitt these days ,

[@zumervalles6078]

who is johnny cash!??

[@djrobswift]

An original member of the X-Men.

[@zumervalles6078]

ooh yeah! a caso es mista sinista!? viejo, veo la forma en que rallas los platos y me jodo con la misma pregunta: ¿por que no habia escuchado de este crew mucho antes?! ahora me doy cuenta de la verdadera era dorada de los Dj's! paz para el master Raida, y gracias por poner la ambientación de lujo en mis tardes de fumada!! X- MEN CLAN my men!!

[@seanmoore9878]

No 🎧.........blind man walkin

[@lustforlow-end6022]

99% of Turntablists don’t use headphones, they just know their music so well that they don’t need them.

[@dizzychizzy1]

Tooty fruity….

[@stephenedmunds3696]

this routine was dumb. the consistency was there the whole time

[@laprora2017]

I prefer a nice set instead this monotonous beat juggling.

[@lovestar7722]

If.all.else.fails,ges.ideas.from.others.ok.♥⭐