Scratch That:
The Evolution of Turntablism
South Bronx 1970’s, the Bronx is in ruins. The entire burrow was riddled with evidence of arson and poverty. Buildings, abandoned and burnt to a crisp. Some buildings, however, were still occupied by tenants but were dirty and terribly maintained, which were most likely the results of slumlords, who would raise the rent until the tenets can no longer afford to pay. In which case they would hire thugs to burn it down, and the slumlord would collect on the insurance money (Chang, 2005). Due to an economic downfall, the unemployment rate was on a rise. The streets ran wild with drugs, crime, and violence (Chang, 2005). Because of this the police would rarely visit this area. With no police or protection the people of the Bronx had to protect themselves. They formed gangs to keep out drugs and any further arsons from occurring. These gangs consisted of mostly youth and would use any means necessary to keep their streets safe. Because of the violent nature of these street gangs, disco clubs and dance halls would not allow the youth of the Bronx access to these places (Chang, 2005). In need of a place to socialize, the young people of the Bronx would organize their own house and block-parties (Chang, 2005). It was at these parties where the evolution began.
Throughout time, since the phonograph was made there has been the disk jockey, the person who plays the records. It was not until the 70’s that someone decided to manipulate the records and or turntable to play whatever they so desired. At first it was only to extend a portion of the song; however, later it would be to make music as an instrumentalist. A Disk Jockey, or “DJ,” is a person who simply plays music for an audience. A turntabl...
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...will be heard!"
Works Cited
Bush, J. (2013, October 18). Afrika Bambaataa. Retrieved from Allmusic.com:
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/afrika-bambaataa-mn0000929862/biography
Bush, J. (2013, August 13). All Music. Retrieved from www.allmusic.com:
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/afrika-bambaataa-mn0000929862/biography
Chang, J. (2005). Cant Stop Wont Stop. New York: Picador St. Martin's Press.
Chin, B. (2004, January 26). http://www.hiphop-network.com/articles/djarticles/kooldjherc.asp.
Retrieved from www.hiphop-network.com:
http://www.hiphop-network.com/articles/djarticles/kooldjherc.asp
Mcbride, J. (2007). Hip-Hop Planet. National Geographic, 100-119.
Pray, D. (Director). (2001). Scratch [Motion Picture].
The Music World of Afrika Bambaataa. (2004, November 1). Retrieved from zulunation.com:
http://www.zulunation.com/afrika.html
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