X-Men vs Invisibl Skratch Piklz July 27, 1996 Team Round

[@LoochMindReader]

Just stopping by to check wether this is still the dopest battle ever… yes it is 🤯

[@shuji808]

💯

[@jaylanga100]

Brother, aB-so-Fuck’n-lutely!🤌🏻the greatest show I seen in my life on 3/5 tables

[@bornwithbsguards]

Right! My homie turned me into this crazy last year. Sad, he's in jail for a long time now. But I listen to it to think about him. My best friend for 20 years

[@pauljohnson9236]

The dopest of scripts

[@bubz3t136]

@@bornwithbsguards What did that fool do?

[@crezrox]

I wish someone would clean up this video and make it 4k. This is the greatest dj battle of all time.

[@BOIflyer76]

One of the greatest pieces of DJ'ing ever recorded.

[@svh01]

And the winner is....US! Being able to witness this will is a blessing. Thank Rob Swift for continuing to share with and teach us. Thank you for helping the culture continue grow. You one of the 3 DJ's on that I want to meet and have to opportunity absorb knowledge from. #legendary

[@djrobswift]

Respect!

[@DOCZOLLO]

Man, I had this on VHS and used to watch it almost everyday after high school!

[@kashdub]

Picklz routine is still the greatest ever

[@donovan1007]

ISP Classic Turntablism! Respect to the Bay Area for that. It has been some time but nobody is touching beats like that anymore...awh the good old days.

[@djmistadrew70]

What in the hell did I just see. Unbelievable. Talent on both sides. But honestly dj Q-bert got to be a alien or a mutant. He has done so many cuts 30 years ago that I truly can't explain today. A gift from God most definitely 🙏 🙌 ✨

[@dj10bear]

that last part of the routine when all ISP scratch in time brings a tear to my eye - to witness that historic moment is truly incredible.

[@thisall4real]

just teared up a bit myself lol

[@Phoenix-xn3sf]

Up until 7:55 X-men probably thought they stood a chance, then ISP happened.... Both dope crews of course, but it's ridiculous how far ahead Mike and his boys were back then. Truly moving as one.

[@DJAUDIO1]

Thank you Rob for reposting this. On days we're I feel down about my health and life, I watch this video and remind myself of who I am, who are my heroes, who influenced me back then and continue to influence me today. Thank you. This is singlehandedly the best display of modern day turntablism, and this event influenced and will influence many generations forever.

[@bobtwichew3103]

I enjoyed the fuck out of both crews. I would love to see something like this live. This is straight up HIP HOP. Turning 51 this Friday, getting up there in age,but this video brings me back to the good old days.

[@bubz3t136]

Same age as Q and Mike, who are now both 53. Short is 47.

[@kashdub]

This is my favourite moment in hip hop

[@djrobswift]

kashdub It’s definitely one of my favorites!

[@olliech33bo15]

Piklz set still blows my mind, never gets old, never been beaten!

[@bubz3t136]

The first 5 minutes or so are way better than the rest. After that it's classic Piklz scratch overkill, apart from the funky 'Planet Rock' recreation. I've always loved the Q-bert wah-wah scratch that he does. He also did it on the 'Dr. Octogon album. For some reason he's never done it during any of his solo sets. I'm pretty sure he was using an actual wah wah pedal to do it. He was inspired by Miles Davis, who used to hook up his trumpet to a wah wah pedal. There's a video of him using it here on KZbin.

[@poplifeinctv]

RIP “ROCRAIDA”..... YOUR INCREDIBLE!... God Bless you!

[@parimabartender]

My skin still gets goosebumps when I hear this I want turntables worse than I ever did 20 years ago

[@yaveeya2992]

The greatest turntable event of all time!! Thank you for documenting this..!

[@dijuenharvey3593]

So many years!!! It is as I remembered.............The X-Men got waxed! Loved both crews to death. This was an epic event when we had them often in Hip Hop. Not so much anymore. Peace and love.

[@kevyd1929]

Mad respect to X-men and ISP! GM Rock Raida RIP big fella

[@jbscornerstore]

That "skratch band" performance by the X-Men in the beginning is SO dope.

[@robswift1551]

Thank you man!

[@ungoyone]

Still watch this every now and then. 25yrs later and still think X won the battle while P'z won the showcase. The best battle, stylin' on you DJ's vs the best technical, far-out DJ's. Or something like that. Everyone from the times where you had to know all aspects of DJ'ing to get on. After seeing this it kinda felt like you were watching the end of an era and a birth of another. Or at least like, ok the 2 hardest crews just did the greatest battle ever, where do we go from here? So damn thankful this is on video.

[@cizzle456]

This was unbelievably huge for the culture. I didn't believe it was real until i seem the vhs!

[@djdeus]

I miss battles like this. This was a monumental moment in the turntable movement and spawned a revolution of talent. Big ups to ISP and the Xmen for pushing the art form hard. It was countless hours of watching bootlegged tapes from the left and right coasts that got me into wanting to enter battles. True pioneers of this art form.

[@grandmaster-grouch]

Legendary moments this is the foundation of all of our music today

[@yayarearaidernation510]

ISP has always been ahead of its time in the DJ world. Spoken from a true BAY AREA native.

[@djknucklez1]

27 years later and it's still amazing.

[@area609joe2]

I Miss the DMC routines where artists tear through vinyl. I remember seeing Cash Money bring at least 5 crates to gig.

[@UncleHoCM]

Lil Wayne Cash Money?

[@19dawud]

Rob, y’all were battling aliens that day 😂

[@gregorybissell4255]

Man, hip hop needs more aliens. Shit like this is what pushes us forward as artist.

[@raiderscorpio562]

The monstars hahaha

[@Utahsaint]

100% this. ISP were off the charts.

[@pdxraves]

Possibly the best comment ever. Rob you killed it still

[@jeffpereira4767]

Still gives me goosebumps after all these years!

[@alexkarliychuk504]

Two my favourite crews! Legendary battle! In 2000 I first listened Scratchology, I never stop loving it! I'm bboy and like to dance to your, Rob, "2-3 Break"! Much respect and Roc Raida, Rock in Peace!

[@edreyes3442]

I always comeback here every now and again for my dose of 1:47 - 2:47. Chills in the back of my neck everytime. Love it. 👍🏼🙏❤

[@gorebutchermb5571]

lmao i thought it was just me that got fkn crazy over this... ya gotta check out the preparation for ths battle shit is sick brah

[@bubz3t136]

It's all about the first 5 minutes of the Piklz for me. by the way, did you see the 25th Anniversary interview that they all did back in 2021?

[@djimma5080]

If i ever make my time machine ill make sure I drop by this battle and record it in 4k with line in audio

[@nuclear8032]

You need to hurry and have this in 4k

[@imhere4thelesson863]

The X-Men routine was super crazy.. if you truly look at their performance it look like they were fighting together hence the name. R.I.P ROC RAIDA.

[@jonathansoko1085]

yeah the whole thing is dope but isp smashed them here, great moment in hiphop for sure but is['s set was some out of this world shit. I love how x move around and do other shit, but as far as the straight up turntable shit, they got kinda bodied as far as that goes.

[@miked8042]

ISP all the way. Technique and their sync is off the charts

[@kflzmaxey5715]

I use to DJ and collected records from all over the world. I use to make beats and decided to sell my records because they were too much of a burden to keep and carry around. Mixmaster Mike bought a lot of my records when I was at the South by Southwest music conference in Austin Texas. He gave me his backstage passes because he said that he was amazed at all the records that I had. He told me he wished that Qbert and his boys would be able to see all the records that I had. This was 2001 and I had the biggest booth with the most records that year. I had to let it go all rhe vinyl. These guys were pioneersl. A lost art. Recorded on VHS... Remember those days? I had all the executioners vinyl and the scratch pickles vinyl. All the battle records. DJ rectangle, magic Mike... These were the good old days. Now everybody claims to be a DJ. Just because they can play a song. Everybody's making beats on their phones now and think that they're going Platinum. Sad😏🥱😁

[@robothug6688]

I was only 4 years old when this video was made lol. And im here watching it now cus i need to educate myself 😂😂😂 Man you must be old 😂😂😂

[@robothug6688]

I mix music but i call myself a controller since i dont got record players or cdjs. Shits expensive nowadays. I started mixing music ever since i went to a party and the dj was too drunk to keep playing so i hoped on his deck and was like "this shit is cool." Im about beatmatching more than anything. What i like about djing in general is all the styles that exist. You got this but then you got guy like myself that like mixing club beats together.

[@Swisspastel80]

wow I saw isp when I was 16.. these guys are from a different planet. SF!

[@SuperSupacoop]

great moment in turntablism history!!!!

[@AMFUNKII]

ISP's routine can be heard on "Invisbl Skratch Piklz Vs. Da Klamz Uv Deth 12"" vynil! Absolute scratch masterpiece! I also love the X-Mens! Saw them live a few times in Montreal in the 90'S! 👌👌👌

[@bubz3t136]

I had that vinyl back in the '90s, but I accidentally left it close to a heater one night, and it got warped.

[@munyamubaiwa4313]

I absolutely love turntablism and its my favorite element of the hip hop culture. That aside ALL HAIL KING QBERT. Nobody does it better.

[@createnotdestroy3099]

The golden age of dj battles not forgetting the ITF'S

[@gbcookiesyqr]

That was so amazing. Even today both sets are still top level! Still hanging on to that VHS compilation. Thanks for posting cause I'll be damned if I can get a decent VCR that won't chew up the tape!

[@henryfeatherstone7795]

Thx Rob for posting. The X-men showed great showmanship, and ISP technical precision. Hip-hop is the winner.

[@djrobswift]

Maximum respect!

[@epi4925]

Hip Hop you don't stop keep on!!

[@dereksalas8195]

I dig how the crews’ styles were so different .

[@jonmorris3321]

Watched this when i first got into turntablism,was amazed then and still am now,both crews are worthy winners,

[@kiduprock04]

A true gem right here! Salute! 💯

[@m4ntr0x]

Praise to the X team but ISP crushed. The sick drumming, the scratch repertoire, the juggles, the remixes; absolutely crazy. Bitch, it's curtains!

[@Infamedigito]

cresci vendo esse video na casa so meu irmão D.J Pachu era circa 1999! Respect! PS-M Complexo do Alemão Rio de Janeiro Brazil!

[@Infamedigito]

PS: minha primeira experience sobre turntablism!

[@jeffeduardo1332]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EXISTING 🙏🙏🙏TURNTABLISM ONLY THOSE WHO REALLY LIKE IT KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO CONTROL BPM,FREESTYLE,OR PITCH WITHOUT LOSING FEELING ,I`M FROM BRAZIL BUT WHEN I WATCH VIDEOS LIKE THESE 🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂ I FEEL IN FRONT OF THE TURNTABLE TOO 👏👏👏 THANKS ROB SWIFT .

[@SteveMaggioncalda]

deep, deep respect. epic display of the roof blowin' off. thx for sharing. goosebumps. damn

[@Eric-nl5ov]

Legendary battle, still gives me goose bumps watching it today. I feel like XMen are guardians of tradition , while ISP is pushing the boundaries of technique. Two totally different approaches of turntablism yet both so important to the art form.

[@thecapothedon]

This is sooo dope!!!!!!! Yall came in clean as hell!!!!I was up smiling feeling like I was there. This battle was dope as hell!!!!!

[@thecapothedon]

This made yall get in the lab after that. It's so dope to see what can be with the turn tables!!

[@logicalblackman8228]

Fuck the lab! I sold my turntables after this shit lmao!!

[@parimabartender]

Two of the best DJ groups to ever melt wax

[@AirfficiaL]

Peace Rob! Thank you for this gem!!!

[@clazh79]

My 3 favourite djs of all time. These guys paved the way!

[@djdeemz7651]

If i ever finish my time machine ill be sure to drop by this battle and get a nice 4k vid with line in audio and bring it back with me

[@gbcookiesyqr]

25th Anniversary Blu-Ray: Remastered in 2021?

[@user_unknown1488]

this is pure hip hop as it was... it is a pale shadow of itself today

[@kazukami3107]

i think this was the piklz routine that put the Vestax 05 pro on the map. Piklz straight rocking original grey 05s with q’s with first hamster switch, each with just an 05 and one tech 12. i think x men were rocking the melos dmc mixers. kinda like how the advent of tech influences techniques

[@DITKoreates]

18:21 is classic to me. I feel like it's just beautifully sychronized and always sounds so great.

[@alexkarliychuk504]

My favourite DJ battle! Respect to both crews! =)

[@natevanek2785]

That Born to Roll section into "Sardines" is still one of the greatest things I've ever heard.

[@MurderToCassette]

I always wondered why Diamond Jay & Total Eclipse were there but not a part of the set until I read the article on your site just now. Great upload and article Rob, please keep chronicling this history!

[@bubz3t136]

What was the reason?

[@VocalChainsStudio]

Time Capsule material right here. Pure genius

[@Hue_Sam]

This is the pinnacle of revolutionary DJs during the 1990s When the 2000s came, House and Techno music came crashing into the scene. Starting the first echelons of EDM music that has became the most common modern music genre to date. This team battle is timeless history. These pioneers are the reason why modern DJ artists even exist.

[@bubz3t136]

House and Techno crashed onto the scene way before '96.

[@Hue_Sam]

@@bubz3t136 Alright. Checked the info - House and Techno actually were a thing since around the late 70s. As someone from the generation of early 2000s, records aren’t something I usually see. Seems like I get things mixed up if I don’t do some research… sorry for the late reply :)

[@Heyitdave]

Man thank god for this footage

[@blizteredthumbs7911]

Couple of crazy bits but all round from both sides? Fuckin awesomeness!

[@freedayfamily9974]

Greatest history in HipHop Rob. ISP and X-men keeping the spirit alive. Today's DJs would not fare better even if they battle an 80 year old Rob.

[@logicalblackman8228]

Jesus Fucking Christ! Short is a BEAST on those Transformers!!

[@Swisspastel80]

Mix mastermike I think is the OG of wild style

[@tijsverwest98]

Legendary

[@soundautomatic1]

These were some good-ass times

[@IYHIGJ]

Xmen routine was dope love swift & raida doubles💪🏾

[@DJNotTheAverage3]

legendary... 3:40 so buttery

[@robswift1551]

God bless!

[@b00too]

team routines / battles was the norm in the bay area throughout the 80's

[@Lalovision3D]

More like the 90’s. These guys were like 18-20 at this time. They would have been too young in the 80’s. There was DJ’ing in the 80’s in the bay of course. But not like this. Cameron Paul repping bay area dj’s in the 80’s tho. He was a legend. RIP

[@kollusion1]

ShortKut is the youngest at around 21 here, Qb & Mike are mid to late 20s at this point. No teams till '89-'90 at the very least.

[@jordi40]

That was dope heard about on the road pod with shortkut

[@allthingsdarrelld]

man i miss those days!

[@Njesrah79]

Love the Phil Most Chill part of X-Men.

[@M3_86]

Loved all you guys back in the day. Rob swift still doing it too!

[@anastasi5946]

Thank you for posting Rob 🔥

[@Davehiphop]

Was and still is the best ever battle!

[@benlelavith8789]

Thanks for the upload Rob

[@wallacehardiniii9038]

I to this day feel the executioners weren't ready for ISP. It was so lopsided. Both crews are so influential either way! They made me want to DJ.

[@logicalblackman8228]

It was just an exhibition.

[@wallacehardiniii9038]

@@logicalblackman8228 I know.

[@logicalblackman8228]

@@wallacehardiniii9038 then you should know that there was nothing to be prepared for.

[@wallacehardiniii9038]

@@logicalblackman8228 there was definitely some preparation just like any live set. Exhibitions can be competitive BTW.

[@logicalblackman8228]

@@wallacehardiniii9038 of course there was preparation. I never claimed otherwise.

[@MesGuided]

@Rob Swift is there better audio somewhere or a different recording with that sickness at around 3:00? That beat y'all did has stuck with me ever since i heard it on VHS. Would love a better audio quality version to bump proper. MUCH LOVE!!

[@djrobswift]

Unfortunately not. I appreciate the love tho.

[@MrRBALLZ13]

and it's still FRESH! ☺

[@hot4futureyears2come]

wow. just came on this video, i wanted to go that day but was not able 2. glad i get to watch years later

[@joebravo8813]

ISP scratched all the way through...X- MEN entertained took you on a journey

[@deejaybags]

thanks so much for sharing!!

[@GP-ff8en]

MMM in a Grand Royal Records hat. I had same maroon one

[@djgillatine2745]

Creativity at its finest!

[@hiphopliv3s]

Put this shit on a unnamed file and then judge whos best. Fucking classic right here

[@DJAUDIO1]

"Q-BERT gets head" 🤣🤣🤣

[@markvogel5872]

Well this is amazing.

[@vegaskidd555]

isp was ahead of there time

[@granddillz]

hearing Mike cut the NWA sample gets me amped

[@raymondalleyne7803]

At that time isp had way more advanced technical skills but the x men had a better routine and better showmanship

[@AWESTSF]

And that’s y I fell in love with HIP HOP

[@deejaydaz-one6552]

FLAWLESS

[@aaroncamacho9675]

Where was this recorded? I owned a 10,000 watt sound system and this competition was the first show that ever played on it - at the Wax Museum in Houston TX in 1997 or 98! Is this from that show? Love Honor Respect! 💜🙏

[@nekaeljones3086]

Respect

[@jonathanbarcelo7237]

Where it all began for me and my Bboy fiends!

[@MrSantanasWorld]

There comes a time where the winners are the fans because both came hard as fuck and you forget it was a battle this was 2 teams putting on a fuckin show point blank period