The Jimi Hendrix of Turntablism

DJ Qbert

Although I’m unsure where and when this phrase came about, it has been used to refer to DJ Qbert on a number of occasions. DJ Qbert was born on October 7, 1969 as Richard Quitevis. He is often hailed as one of the most influential DJs of all time. An innovative and creative individual, DJ Qbert paved the way in using turntables as an elaborate musical instrument. One of the most notable accomplishments of Qbert would be that he invited the first musical annotation system for scratching, battling, and composing on vinyl. The experiences and success of DJ Qbert have had substantial impact on Filipino-American hip-hop culture making it an integral part of hip hop culture as a whole.

Career
Like any legend, he started his career in humble surroundings. In the 1980s, hip-hop culture began to evolve giving rise to what is now known as the turntablist. At the age of 15, DJ Qbert became involved in DJing and went on to compete in small DJ battles in his San Francisco community. He was recognized in the world-wide since 1985 but truly dominated the DJ scene in the early 90’s. During this time, DJs such as DJ Qbert made skratching into an art form, inventing new techniques and developing unique sounds that revolutionized hip hop culture. In 1990 he began a group called FM20 with Mix Master Mike and DJ Apollo. While doing a show in New York he was invited to the Rock Steady Crew. From there, DJ Qbert went on to compete in the 1992 Disco Mix Club World DJ Championships (DMC). His most notable crew was the Invisibl Skratch Piklz which he helped founded. They were the first to apply the concept that included the layering of drums, basslines, and scratch solos on top of each other. He also produced two solos Demolition Pumpkin Squeeze Musik in 1994 and Wave Twisters in 1998. Two of his more recent and continuing ventures are the Thud Rumble LTD and Qbert Skratch University.

Thud Rumble LTD. – Visit Site
An overview of Thud Rumble LTD. describes the company as a diversified media management company committed to showcasing and expanding the world of the skratch DJ. This company was founded by DJ Qbert and Yogafrog in 1996. Their dream was to push the “envelop of scratching as a science, an art, and an international culture.” It is said that this company is the key to transforming the world of Disc Jockey into a multibillion-dollar industry and is respected as one of the leading producers of independent works both in musical and other innovative processes.


Qbert Skratch University – Visit Site
This is a web-based video instruction site and community. Here you can pay $60 for 3 months. With this subscription you have access to a world-wide social network of DJs and receive DJ lessons from the renowned DJ Qbert himself.

DJ Qbert continues to play an active role in the DJ community today. As seen with his company, Thud Rumble LTd., and his online DJ Community, Qbert Skratch University. He has also influenced what is known as Pinay Hip Hop. Even today, the hip hop culture continues to flourish in Filipino and Filipino-American communities. With the growing international involvement, DJ Qbert is one of the role models Filipinos can look toward in this genre. His sites make it easier to gather knowledge and refine ones technique without any geographic barriers.

Other Trivia
Appeared in a number of documentaries and international films including:
Scratch
Battle Sounds
Hang the DJ
Modulations
Music Featured in video games Tony Hawk’s Underground and FreQuency

Awards
1991 Disco Mixing Club USA Champion
1992 Disco Mixing Club World Champion
1993 Disco Mixing Club World Champion
1994 Disco Mixing Club World Champion
1998 Disco Mixing Club DJ Hall of Fame award

-JP