Scratch (HipHop DJ Documentary)

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A feature-length documentary film about hip-hop DJing, otherwise known as turntablism. From the South Bronx in the 1970s to San Francisco now, the world's best scratchers, beat-diggers, party-rockers, and producers wax poetic on beats, breaks, battles, and the infinite possibilities of vinyl.
'Scratch is a documentary film, directed and edited by Doug Pray. The film explores the world of the hip-hop DJ. From the birth of hip-hop, when pioneering DJ's began extending breaks on their party records (which helped inspire break dancing and rap), to the invention of scratching and beat-juggling vinyl, to its more recent explosion as a musical movement called turntablism, it's a story of unknown underdogs and serious virtuosos who have radically changed the way we hear, play and create music.The documentary opens with Grand Wizard Theodore (New York) telling the story of how he first introduced scratching. Throughout the documentary, several artists explain how they were introduced to the field of hip-hop and scratch while providing stories and anecdotes of their personal experiences.
The media material presented in this production is protected by the FAIR USE CLAUSE of the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, which allows for the rebroadcast of copyrighted materials for the purposes of commentary, criticism, and education.

[@djrenealvarado]

I went to High School With D.J. Qbert, Back in the Day. I Remember having him in my History Class and Our Teacher justo say to us, before you guy's Start talking About Records, and Turntables Etc. please pay attention to my lesson. Then you guy's can carry on with your D.J. Conversation. at that time we attended Jefferson High School in Daly City California. the year was 1987. Awesome Memories.

[@kevandalzell7906]

Awesome; THANKS!!!!

[@kevandalzell7906]

That is INCREDIBLE!!! What were you doing? DJing too?

[@MTXSHO9732vV8SHO]

Too bad Marcus Clemons wasn't in that class 😂😂😂😂😂 Probably about 20 years too old though. Peace to Marcus Clemons #KPOO

[@RobC972]

*2023* it's time 2 bring it back !!! 🔥💯🔥

[@djhyperkid86]

I remember buying this on DVD when I was a teen. I was obsessed with it. I would watch this daily and just study the clips of all the DJs. Brings back memories.

[@furleysbrain]

Wow Dj Shadow in that record basement got me emotional for some reason!

[@miked2543]

You're right, i would suppose it's mostly the song...but shadow's commentary about broken dreams lying in those record stacks was also powerful. And the way that part was shot (camera angles etc.) really highlighted how well produced this documentary is.

[@kevandalzell7906]

I told him JUST THAT in person!!!! He was so nice!!! Why he is not on that scrap-pile!!!! A dead bat....

[@alanroscoe2544]

R.I.P Grand Master Roc Raida!!!!

[@dustyrhodes1655]

2021 and Turntabalism and the scratch scene is still strong. Could possibly be called a resurgence especially with the portable scene attracting newcomers....love it!

[@vjretro]

Just got a portable turntable. I'm having a blast.

[@Old_Man_Medina_Gaming]

Man, I’m 52, I first heard history of hip-hop volume three in 1985 or so, and it was the biggest thing ever, after Rockit. Hearing it here and seeing people discuss it reverently made me start to fucking cry a little.

[@JONACYDETV]

What's up 2020? If ur here, u are an extraordinary person with elite taste

[@lordfarquar9215]

23 brother and onwards 💪💯🔥

[@rayfinkle5048]

🤌🫡

[@timetime7178]

Yessir

[@yablock7346]

1:10:36 the part when he gets alot of fun and exitment

[@Poison-topic]

2024 baby

[@InkBunnyBlindRabbit]

15:00 -15:50 the best scratch mix EVER!!

[@danielkurtz9305]

RIGHT?!?!

[@bigmag_ua]

what is the namwe of this track ?

[@Ibrahima7110]

@@bigmag_ua Looks like a Dead Prez - Hip Hop

[@mortenhansen3455]

@@bigmag_ua The blues sample is Robert Johnson - "Rambling on my mind" and the Dead Prez - "Hip-Hop". I loved that combo so much I had to get both of them just to try it out myself!

[@TheCodedtestament]

DJing ,It's an art!

[@gunchief0811]

+TheCodedtestament FA-SHO

[@swaggyog2729]

When j 5 comes on it’s the best part for me personally. My dad helped make this movie years ago and I just watched the DVD a few days ago , this documentary does not get old. This is probably the best actual Hip Hop documentary that does not get enough credit. And my dad is actually going to put out his own Hip Hop documentary like this very soon , he’s been working on this movie for a few years now. My dads name is Dj Breeze and his friend who is also helping my dad with the project, his name is Dj Bonds. Thank you to everybody involved in this documentary from the Djs to the MCs to the production and camera crew. This documentary will live forever 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@miked2543]

This is a very well made documentary that captures a short-lived, but amazing and wondrous period in music history. Props to your 'ol man for being a part of it. I hope his upcoming endeavors are just as good.

[@birddogfreemann]

Theses guys' memories have been enhanced by having this opportunity to embellish on the origins of the scratch dj.....

[@gbeats1988]

This documentary got me into DJing and producing and now that's my profession!

[@felixvargas7132]

Man, Dj Krush and his music is so ethereal that even in this documentary he seemed elusive but the music spoke for him and we need no words, just a sick beat to know how legendary he is.

[@sooperheep]

have you seen his recent set where he performs in a temple? super dope

[@CitySkin09]

God bless you for uploading this! I love this documentary as it is one of my favorite of all time. Thanks again!

[@yougotmike]

This is what you gotta come back to like a boomerang

[@ezra9243]

I watched this when i was in 8th grade, back in 2009 , now im 26 years old and a DJing, this documentary changed my life

[@victoriadeleon9241]

Even i'm 56yrs old and i still do that scratching thing!

[@jungle-wav1322]

23:30 I spot a wild madlib.

[@JohnnyWunderboy2]

I remember watching this documentary 13 years ago, and I thought that ISP bit at 1:13:00 was the greatest thing ever

[@crossfadeking]

Best scratch on this documentry has to be dj shadow with the "scratch" sample. Spine tingling

[@chadcunnington7152]

Also my favourite part of the DVD, with DJ Shadow, in Qbert's jam session Ironically, he told the director that he wasn't really a Scratch DJ, and was reluctant to participate in the scene, yet he outshone all of the other DJ's

[@ashley3k]

Thank you for uploading this!

[@markkeller1778]

Thank you so much for getting this important teaching tool out here for everyone to soak in. You rock.

[@BrokenNoseMedia]

Watched this so many times when I was younger. Love it

[@RSCL_BEATZ]

Thanks so much for posting this!!!! It started awesome and just kept getting better!! Huge smiles through the whole thing!!!

[@GoldenGunNetwork]

So many classic moments in this documentary! Peace and Love!!! HIPHOP!!!!

[@retrojaxed2]

r.i.p guru.

[@gunchief0811]

+retrojaxed2 dude was a serious part of HIP HOP history and doesnt get the props he deserves. he was SO RAW! miss his voice had mad mad flavor in his Lyrical content.

[@dajdo]

the greatest of all !!! gifted unlimited rhymes universal !!!

[@forevershampoo]

Tru god bless the legend GURU

[@skost8825]

20 years later they are still killin it..more than ever! Big ups!

[@slcone9051]

I still have the 2 disc dvd set that i took from my local library. This was back in 2005. I started djing when i was 15yrs old at the time. I used to love to battle section because i never seen that before, but as time went by i like the digging and production parts of it a lot more. I just want to say thanks to the djs that influenced me. There's a lot of them in this documentary.

[@jeremylincoln965]

🎶This documentary is so exclusive❤it really moves the soul. Dope content🔥this is classic. Most of this content is decades old and still outshines a lot of the hip-hop today in mainstream rap/hip-hop scene🎶

[@kikikatme]

i had to watch this for class, good class

[@GabREAL1983]

i love this shit, i love this movie. when mixmaster mike starts scratching that moment, he's so dope...

[@CYPHERHILL]

Alto valor. Gran documental

[@tonysmith5878]

AND IT ALL STILL BANGS!!!!!!!

[@jaimevideos]

What I'd give to go to any of those gigs featured in this film... damn... I was born when I should have been in my 20s! (1993)

[@itzaleyva1623]

Mack Morrison-Return of the Mack brought me here at 3:11 & I don't even know what brought me there! Listening to 80's throwbacks i guess :3 geez i was born in the wrong generation smh Good taste died in the late 90's early 2000's now all we have is mumble rap & trash dubstep . Just listening to records being scratched makes me feel alive inside & idk where it's been all my life now it's all I wanna do

[@itzdm0r3]

Have you gotten started yet?

[@tonysmith5878]

THANK YOU...FLASH,BAM,HERC,DXT....AND THE LIST IS TOO DAMN LONG.... I'M BLESSED!!!!!!!!!!

[@exileisland2675]

i always say scratching was like modern bass music back then. wild sounds and rhythms over beats all chopped up. subverting expectations with switchups. the heartbeat of hiphop dont stop.

[@danielkurtz9305]

Segment at 15:07 is straight FIRE

[@bigmag_ua]

what is the namwe of this track ?

[@Friendroid]

@@bigmag_ua ded presidents - hip hop

[@tonysmith5878]

THIS DOC IS ONE OF THE ILLEST TO PORTRAY THE ART OF THE DJ AND MAINLY THE TABLEIST.

[@louieavell3347]

this gave me so much inspiration with my logo

RIP Grandmaster Roc Raida one ov da GOATS 💯💣

[@michelledessert967]

This was sooo good so glad I got to witness some of this as it happened! Whassup Upper Playground?!! Filmore street

[@tonysmith5878]

BIG HUGE UP TO SHORTEE, FOR WOMEN WHO ROCK IN MUSIC!!!!!! SAW THE WOMEN WHO ROCK DOC ON MGM PLUS LAST NIGHT WITH THE LITTLE LADY....I WAS BLOWN AWAY....ROCK ROCK ROCK ON LADIES!!!!!!!!!!!

[@theycallmejpj]

i'm not religious, but watching this movie was a religious experience

[@verydirtyflow]

amen brother

[@nickpagano7134]

make your own music you dorks.

[@tmrimagery]

Where can we find some of yours to be inspired by??

[@kevandalzell7906]

I love rock through classical; THIS IS THE BEST MUSICAL GENRE DOC EVER!!!! I have seen it over 300 times!!!!

[@dustyrhodes1655]

They really are doing the Lord's work.

[@RSCL_BEATZ]

Wow man, that Beatboxing scratching was siiick!

[@kinamai1965]

Great documentary tho! ❤

[@miked2543]

Beautiful documentary. Thank you to all who helped with this content. God created us in his image, that is why we are creative like him..our unique abilities of perception don't come from jupiter or some far off galaxy, they come from our loving creator. God bless

[@yanonayanonay]

Education tip ... everybody need to see this just one upon a time...

[@RSCL_BEATZ]

From the first time I heard Rockit, I was hooked.

[@nokspit]

sick wit it

[@tonysmith5878]

STILL STRONG TO THE POINT WHERE I'VE KEPT GOING FORWARD WITH XL2'S AND AN SK6 STANTON MIXER AND THE SAME NEEDLES ALL FROM THE LATE 90'S-2000.

[@shalenaporter18]

“ another knowledgeable hip hop aventurine I ❤ it “

[@krishan8010]

i take it back this film is fukin amaazing

[@DjNONOCOLLECTOR]

I LOVE !!!!!!!!

[@Timesounder]

Very interesting dear friend ! :-)

[@kevandalzell7906]

I own a copy of the double DVD. I am getting the poster of the cover signed!!!! Chali 2Na, DJ Shadow and Z-Trip thus far!!! Have seen many of the above, but signatures....

[@dustyrhodes1655]

Legend!

[@jasonhardy4207]

I've seen em' all over the last 30 years and Cash Money is the G.O.A.T . He has the true essence of a real Hip Hop DJ and kept it real since day 1.

[@maccagrabme]

The best live scratch djs I've ever heard was Cash Money and Jazzy Jeff back in the 80s, they were very inventive and had a lot of humour in their sets and Marvellous and Fresh Prince were the perfect MC to showcase the sets, to this day I still dont get quite the same excitement from modern DJ's as I did in the 80s although its a different artform now, different skillset but I still enjoy the new stuff as its highly developed and the scratch scene is far greater than it was back in the day and the technology far superior but I find that a lot of modern DJ's sound a bit too alike whereas back in the day every DJ sounded different. I think Jeff and Cash at their peak are probably neck and neck.

[@robingrowntear2946]

have this 1 on dvd

[@kevandalzell7906]

I was waiting all my life to see this video, and I didn't even know it...

[@HonestMike]

28:18 but dad where's the laptop??? Son that's a real deal dj \m/ Honest²

[@F5542]

Dr. Knock by Nas

[@NastyRhythm]

Man Rob Swift has turned in to the incredible hulk. Dudes been pumpin some serious weights lol

[@MaestroDaBeatmaker]

DopeFire

[@djjrodnyc]

Respect to all in here

[@DjEmbrac3]

when they start talking about "digging" that part has nothing to do with dj'ing but moreso having the love for "music" in general...To be a great Dj you have to have the love for all music, that what makes digging in the crates give you, that feeling when you find that diamond in the rough that people may have forgotten about....now a days dj's only play current and popular music, but i dont necessarily blame it on them, its just the newer generation doesnt educate themselves on all good music from different era's

[@raiderscorpio5629]

Digging is part of djing fool lol you trippin , how else you gon get your records?

[@tomb020780]

I wasn't born into a hip hop culture But I've been a quiet zealot for 20+ years Starting with P.E. then Shadow and J5 mid 90s I can watch this film againana Gainana Gainana Gain. Peace x

[@tonysmith5878]

STILL HAVE THE VHS.

[@MicroUrb]

yep, I lost to DJ Ghetto because someone changed the pitch control before I went on and it screwed up my second records flow and Ghetto was skinny and flexible and stopped his record with his foot that night, so yeah I was pretty much done.

[@freekgroot3222]

#CLASSIC

[@tonysmith5878]

PEACE TO THE MIXTAPE CREWS....IN 2023....AND BEYOND...

[@birddogfreemann]

Interesting at the end, how Z is pictured playing with Tony Hawk skating in behind.

[@MicroUrb]

I am sorry, but I have to say, this movie captured the mindset of Bam towards the end, the Bambattaa I grew fond of as a child. Listen to what he said, "the 12th or 13th planet". He is talking about Nibiru, planet X, where our ancestors come from. Damn, of all people that should have a movie on Netflix, it should be about Bambattaa. Always ahead of the times.

[@carlosposada4248]

Fresh. Is the first word one learns to scratch. IMO.

[@bitinback2825]

Carlos Posada true

[@andrewilliams4180]

Awesome 🌟 documentary

[@forevershampoo]

that beat juggling two records of the same is becoming a lost art

[@danielszomor5025]

1:15:43 - is this an official "mix" of mr scruff - spandex man? Wicked scratch..

[@F5542]

0:24 Summer Madness 16:05 My Favorite Track

[@dsk5619]

HELP: What's the 12" at 42:00 ?? I know that beat but can't recall

[@wsupwitit]

Where can you get that poster at 30:18 Holy shit thats dope

[@notsephari]

bout to get real stoney and watch this

[@ndx2k]

I watch this movie at least once a week, excellent movie to describe the culture and art of DJing.

[@blackadam06]

+Strictly Music I bought it when it first came out, and from a historical standpoint, this was bullsh*t! How the f*ck can you have a documentary on the history/evolution of scratching, and relegate guys like DJ Jazzy Jeff and DJ Cash Money to the DVD extras?!! That would be tantamount to documenting the evolution of the NBA globally, but not talk about Michael Jordan at all in commentary...SMH

[@BradleyOMalley]

+Strictly Music watched it for the first time last night. bout to start my weekly viewings of this film myself

[@nillawiggs4525]

+Bradley O'Malley The world needs more documentaries about turntablism. You should make one. Otherwise you're just blowing hot air. It's not like there's a whole lot for people to choose from.

[@ndx2k]

Nilla Wiggs I'd be in a turntablism doc, I have some stuff to say. :D

[@BradleyOMalley]

Nilla Wiggs how right you are - #pitifulprophets coming soon...

[@Brenxification]

❤

[@dannajecki385]

22:40 is by far my favorite part... anyone know the break beat in the background? I've heard Qbert use it before.

[@turn1ablist]

dan najecki Adiar Cor Presents Beats For Jugglers 2

36:57 choonz boy!!

[@user-dp3zk4om8f]

1:26 Mike!!!!!!

[@bubbadagger]

yo im looking for the dvd extras , cant find online and actual hardcopys are rare now...anybody got a link ? thanks homies...

Bobby Bell Amazon homez, EBay or if in UK, CEX. HMV have it online, too

[@seblaurent6956]

anyone know where i can buy that resord with the guitar rifs? i scratch in a band and o would lave to have it

[@Calamity-Rhapsody]

DJ Shadow in the record shop basement 54:41 to 57:22 one of the craziest things I've ever seen

[@ayomikunoyenuga821]

Does anyone know the title of the instrumental playing at 20:13

Dope documentary, off da f&£@in’ chain! Luv that Hijack choon, off da HOOK!!! Bumbaataa, the rapist nonce, has ruined his ENTIRE legacy. SAD. Still looking fo footage of Mix Master Mike, mixing on twin tape deck ov a ghetto blaster. Thought I remembered seeing it on this documentary. Have owned it twice, both had differing covers. Is there 2 versions of Scratch? Anyone know which documentary it was that featured Mix Master Mike using twin tape decks to mix? Dis was def 💯 da golden age of Hip Hop. The scene was Bangin’! Thanx Peace n best wishes from Weezy (London) UK🇬🇧

[@wsollnti]

40:30 gz thats on

[@DJ2NOA]

They should make a move about this!!!

[@RobC972]

🎶💯💪🏼😎👍🏼💯🎶

[@electricEntity81]

Anyone know name of track that comes in at 1:04:54?

[@javie5080]

186000 miles

[@Jo-si3ot]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@tmbe_official]

📌📌THIS DOCUMENTARY IS A BIG PART OF THE HIPHOP CULTURE!! 📌📌

[@JayJayRealhiphop]

One of the best HipHop Documents, if not the numero uno.

[@tonysmith5878]

THIS IS WHERE IT'S AT.

[@Chalado-Schamane]

15:06 he was cuttin up Rob Johnson.... maneeeee!

[@masterblockwarrior]

anyone know the song at 1:20:09, with Grand Master DXT??

[@juliusjanko8]

@1:08:00 sick vibe!