X-Men Vs. I.S.P. - Part 1

Classic battle between the X-Men (X-Ecutioners-NY) Vs. the Invisibl Skratch Piklz (CA). Roc Raida (RIP), Rob Swift & Mista Sinista Vs. Q-Bert, Mixmaster Mike & Shortkut.

This is why the DJ will forever be the first hip hop artist and producer period!

[@jasonrigone7771]

let em know son!

[@DJAUDIO1]

17 years later and people are still arguing about this. This is the essense of modern day turntablism. The blueprint to the entire game. ISP vs XMEN. FOREVER!

[@Lalovision3D]

This comment still is true

[@DJAUDIO1]

@@Lalovision3D 24 years later. yes.

[@bolsbolbol368]

ISP was on another level! X men were better at throwing middle fingers and pointing at the vinyl on cue. Technique wise it isn't even close, that's how advanced the piklz were.

[@hovadude]

Goddamn Mix Master Mike murders this!!

[@newyorker19810]

these two groups embody what turntablism is.there is no winner or loser they both excel the art form to higher levels. technical skill and showmanship.

[@mrjamescurry]

When i first saw QBert do the ‘Rock The Bells’ routine-it changed my life. Seminal routine.

[@RogerMelee]

That Rock The Bells routine is still the best thing ever done on turntables.

[@MrEric1545]

Nothing but legends on that stage and a sincere R.I.P. to Roc Raida, but there is a very good reason why only Mixmaster Mike went on to a career as a show DJ with the Beastie Boys. He was the funkiest, most party-rocking focused DJ out of both those crews.

[@lootbrute6467]

Legend...RIP ROC

[@denzeladams3500]

Rob Swift Made a Got Damn BEAT on these dudes.

[@lescopainsdabord2839]

+Denzel Adams so musical

[@j-boogiebrown9961]

I remember Rob claimed to be the first person to loop a beat with a sticker, but a UK DJ called DJ Reckless actually did it in '91, at the UK DMC Final.

[@Lalovision3D]

@@j-boogiebrown9961 I know for a fact people had done that in the late 80’s

[@DashRendarWasTaken]

But upon closer inspection... (Just finished watching...) Mixmaster Mike kills it on the style. No question :D

[@smurfrock]

Thanks for posting. Mix Master Mike was sick.

[@Keepa2012]

Man, this shit is CRAZY! They don't make many DJ's like this! Especially not these days!! At 1st I was like "Roc Raida (R.I.P) fucked that shit up" & then I was like "Ooooh dats tight! I think Q-Bert might just have done him" (watching it back I think Raida took it) Then Mix Master Mike steps up FUCKIN' POSESSED & tryin' to CONTACT ALIENS & completely TEARS DAT SHIT DOWN!!!!! Fuckin' love it! Shouts to Rob Swift, Mista Sinista & Short Kut respectively, u done ur ting but U KNOW!

[@jeffhendrix2492]

Thank you @djreal for posting these. I remember seeing a bootleg of a bootleg of a bootleg of this back in ‘97 and having my fucking mind blown. This shit takes me back.

[@BruceBrayne]

Mike is so sick!!!

[@soldad0ryan]

Mixmaster Mike was insane!!! Great!!

[@deanrickles]

Forget Com vs. Drake or these master of the mix dudes. These cats had the heart. So gully! thank you RIP Raida

[@Moroth187]

That Rob Swift Routine from 5:32min is so smooth and clean,make me bounce everytime i hear it!!!!

[@1VMDJAnomalous]

Wow so many legends on the stage !!! They pushed each others innovativeness & creativity which made them the best in the world and the art form !!!

[@djflavatheremixking1832]

CLASSIC X MEN ALL DAY

[@poipoundah]

The truth hurts... ISP was ahead of their time and ever evolving... X-Men's tricks and brash attitude was played out...

[@westonianblumbard3001]

Yes.

[@JayWerx]

The Xmen and ISP are why turntablism became what it did.WE dont have crews reppin' like this any more.

[@louis-anthonymcdaniel946]

R.I.P. ROC! Me Likey this one. Two of my favorite dj bands going at it.

[@DjDialogic]

The title of this video should be "Why every data DJ is a fake"...

[@devote]

Why on every DJ video do we have to bring this up ? Just enjoy or move on.

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@devote Because it's true ?

[@devote]

@@DjNikGnashers you realize all the old DJs you probably admire use digital right ? Everyone from Jazzy Jeff to Flash. Ya'll just old, bitter and jealous.

[@DjNikGnashers]

@@devote I'm 50 years old, and got my first set of turntables aged 11 in 1980. I now use a DDJ SX2 controller. I have an advanced national diploma in music technology, and still dj every week. I think I know more about 'old dj's' and DJ-ing in general than you ever will, so shut the fuck up.

[@devote]

@@DjNikGnashers if you use a ddj sx2 why are you disagreeing with me ? Are you confused old man.

[@truetothegame2928]

Xmen destruction ! flow, hip hop ! ...... .... & 20 years on XMEN still look hip hop,, !

[@hoyitsjoe]

finally a video of the battle that doesnt look like crap. nice post!

[@SweetChinMuzik1]

Rob Swift killed it...just so original

[@redirishmanxlt]

The Xmen seem to value exhibitionism, while ISP is more focused on innovation through their instruments.

[@denzeladams3500]

^^^^ Word. This battle was really an exhibition of the two most dominant methods of using the turntable as an instrument. The Scratch side uses the manipulation of pitch (through the record) and the absense of sound (through the crossfader) to "play" the turntable, similar in theory to a trumpet player. The juggle side uses the beats and sounds provided by two copies of the same record to reconstruct an existing song into a new one. Both methods have their intricacies, and neither is necessarily easier than the other. In a world where Boxers duck other great boxers until they're old and washed up, and basketball players hop from team to team, depending on who's best at the time, we are incredibly lucky to see the two greatest groups of practictioners of both styles battle each other.

[@j-boogiebrown9961]

"Groove-locking buttons"? You mean they now have button that do what DJs used to do with stickers?

[@b00too]

was that crazy legz behind Q ?

[@DashRendarWasTaken]

Its like 2 different schools of DJ'ing battling... Both are amazing. ISP is sick, Q Bert rocks shit hard, but then rob swift comes in with a TOTALLY different vibe all smooth and downtempo. Sometimes insanely fast scratching ala Qbert is sick, and sometimes just laid back juggles are sick. This video just kicks ass all around, theres no debate.

[@David_Watts]

Absolutely! Well said; two different styles. X-Men are juggling/timing what's ON the record, while ISP are massively physically manipulating the records themselves into instruments. Either way, it's hella sick-ass sh@t!! VERY hard to call

[@mrcolemr]

So much talent was in the room. Sick battle y'all

[@ohxishxitsxdavid]

This was a classic battle. This demonstrates that while most DJs were playing checkers, ISP was playing chess. Their style is incomparable and transcended DJing as it was known at the time.

[@kayin4o8]

especially when isp has mix master mike!!!! dude is an alien....

[@kevinturner9584]

ohxishxitsxdavid kt

[@smoke1va]

They all killed it. 🔥🔥

[@scotttoccs03]

Mike...... fucking hell.

[@MrJones-bl8rm]

Mixmaster killed itby himself

[@nep611]

Greatest battle ever, but dam mmm, at the time was on fire, sicker then qbert.

[@nep611]

And thats when the east coast embraced skratching wiith open arms.

[@lordg3803]

Roc Raida was Godly. Rest In Power.

[@barty2381]

Mixmaster Mike, what a talent! 🔥

[@moeresse8812]

These guys were cool. XMen all day, but if Jazzy Jeff was there... It would have been a soul snatching event.

[@soulful1illusion]

when i first saw this in late nineties I thought the piklz won but 15 years later I think xmen got it..no debatin....roc raida routine at start was nutty

[@djdeemz7651]

Rob swift puts it piklez won team x men took solo and yeah I agree

[@ernestorodriguez1230]

Individually Xmen win. Team wise ISP win

[@AnExperimentedTerror]

A beautiful piece of history right here. Big up's DJ Real

[@djmyme1]

Roc Raida RIP. A very sick video thanks for posting this Dj Real. :-)

[@GILLYHOM]

that was epic...two different styles in deejaying in one place!!...Tuff!!

[@buddafingaz9403]

In for a treat rite here..... Respex, Big Upz, & Mad Love to all the devoted, dedicated, & passionate DJ's worldwide.....🔥💯👍💪🙏🎶🌎

[@djbumpcity]

X Men killed it!!!

[@TruMusicLighting]

mix master mike murdered it...

[@mylink.orb17]

Tru Music Lighting Without a doubt!

[@leebaybrook]

Anyone know the break Mike uses at 10:11? Thanks in advance for your help!

[@djdeemz7651]

Craze got the biggest crowd hype at this battle

[@djdeemz7651]

@DJ BONY JOE he was in the battle just not this part of the day this was the crew vs crew solos but he was in the solos and fucking killed it

[@djdeemz7651]

@DJ BONY JOE look for craze itf 1996

[@DJGleam]

Good old days!

[@technotard007]

Is that Big Pun behind Rob Swift? True throwbak here ya'll... Definitely a classic

[@buddafingaz9403]

Wow! Thats raw rite here yo!!...... 👍💪🙏😎

[@greatness3928]

Mom murdered this

[@djorig]

My hero’s when I was a teenager in the 90s. Why does Qbert look the same today as he did in this video?

[@unsn88]

it's all good, but Q-Bert is obviously an alien

[@thehunterofdeath2180]

RIP ROC RAIDER A GRANDMASTER ON THE WORLD OF TRUNTABLIST

[@particle808]

this video is so amazing, everyone in it is giving the best they got.

[@thehunterofdeath2180]

Mix master mike one of my favorite DJ not from this planet this dude n DJ qbert inspire me to become a turntablism back in the 90 n the x men too but mix master mike is crazy word up not from this planet 😁👍😎

[@tonysmith5878]

X-MEN AND INVISIBLE ALL GAWD DAMN DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@BierBelly89]

Roc Raida Rob swift and mix master mike were the dopest RIP TO ROC RAIDA 🙏🏼

[@DjeverB]

Good Job ! :) Wait Part 2 ...!

[@BBoyBiff]

Is that crazy legs on the mic at the end ?

[@MIXXSTEREO]

OHHHH SHITTTTTTTTTTTT !!!!! THE BEST CLASSIC BABY !!!!!!

[@illfingaz210]

Richard (Q-bert) is and has always been way ahead..

[@cr0nikz]

Mix. Master. Mike. All fucking day!

[@Breaksnbeats]

Steve D in the background wearing the superman T like a baawws

[@imutau]

Big Pun in the back on the X-Men side?

[@ervinpoljak8332]

Epic!

[@IlIlIlIlIlIlIlIlIlIlIlIlI]

Whats the break at 10:11 ?? MMM sounding like he quantum leaped into 10th dimension and warped the wormhole on his way and simply mindfucked turntablism forever. qbert advanced on mike's skills on a technical level while mike truly stayed uniquely extraterrestrial

[@redbeans7940]

gjh gyjdg the original break is "shes about a mover" -roy head

[@ayenice3484]

What's the name of the track at 6:27

[@DumbDriversYouNearlyDied-vq4wd]

Looks like Big pun in the background.

[@powerendemauz9898]

That posse behind Q-Bert. HIPHOP!

[@yogreco82]

Mike is legit alerts daddy lol

[@agentjackbauer88]

ISP revolutionized turntablism at that time.

[@ayenice3484]

The specific style of art is the first ingredient to HIP HOP

[@tonysmith5878]

HEAVYWEIGHTS.PERIOD.

[@SiRRKiZZLE]

ISP

[@chcfresh1]

funny i came looking for this video after listening to an old Stretch & Bobbito show...

[@thehunterofdeath2180]

Two legend team crew

[@marcusadams2347]

I wonder what the dj world would be like if Roc Raida was still living

[@simonmiotk7879]

Mix master mike is like a X-men lol

[@beatzsmartzshow]

I love the chain of the last dj

[@williegreens1]

That qbert vocal sample was smooth

[@mylink.orb17]

Dude to Mike's right is COMEDY!

[@mylink.orb17]

12:51

[@mylink.orb17]

Oh Shit, he's the EMCEE? Hahaha

[@ms-iz9ye]

X men were dope I can't stand that straight scratching q Bert did.

[@jshannon777]

marvin s good point x men showed more skills qbert is good but he scarches to much

it's very self centered , technical, do you notice he favors his right side, to this day not good with the traditional left to right grooves of both turntables. He's great and hella innovative.. but it's more noise factor for sure.

[@j-boogiebrown9961]

Does anyone remember this battle being written about in any magazines? I recently found an article about it in an old magazine that I found on ebay, but it's the only one I've ever seen - and I was buying 4 or 5 Hip hop/DJ magazines a month, back in '96. I've also never seen a single magazine article about the old New Music Seminar/Supremacy battle. Does anyone know of any that I can try and find on ebay?

[@regvibe835]

Scratching that Gangstarr is fire 💪💪

[@superfunkyjam]

I love the mc's expression in all this

[@SaidUno]

Look mom, no laptop

[@mylink.orb17]

SaidUno I was thinking the same thing 😂

[@epicgaijin]

lmao!

[@wallacehardiniii9038]

Damn. Every time these dudes battle ISP kills it but the styles are just so far apart.

[@johnsaynsley]

ISP on a different level. Tremendous. I don't think they'll ever be touched. Nobody could do more with a 1200.

[@ro.b49]

Legends❤❤❤

[@nailthenamekian5090]

12:40 that fucked my head up all up

[@ciniusvi]

+Nail The Namekian whats is name this last track ?

[@BpmSupreme]

nice session!

[@dji.e.3868]

R.I.P Roc Raida 🙅🏾‍♂️

[@dasfreshyo]

@funkateer17 I think that's DJ Eric Eclipse from NYC. I think he worked for Loud Records at the time. The guy behind Qbert during Mixmaster Mike's set.

[@KrilinPT]

pun's cousin in the background y'all

[@thabboy]

XMEN vs ISP will be like 2PAC vs BIGGIE. Neverending... That's #hiphop

[@poipoundah]

Never said I was an expert... But I've been around the Bay Area hip hop/DJ scene for a minute... Ain't gonna name drop cuz that's not my style but as far as I'm concerned, the Bay Area DJ scene's impact speaks for itself, no matter what you think... So again, the truth hurts... Keep lovin Las Vegas and hatin on my opinions and I'll keep sayin ISP won that battle hands down.

[@groundnpound702]

turntablism needs to come back.

[@uhdoubleupuhuh6030]

I appreciate everyone here, but Round One? DEFINITELY Q. And Round Two? Closer, but Mixmaster Mike. Team X-Men spent more time tryna old school MC distrack (did every X *really* need to flip the bird, too?) than showcasing their actual skills in the general sense. True, X-Men were clever with some of their cuts, but by comparison, Q-bert and Mixmaster Mike put on master classes showing they had the technical skills to rise above and shine, instead trying to insult their counterparts and 'front on 'em.