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A Moment With DJ Qbert
Three time World DMC Champion DJ Qbert is possibly one of the most legendary and influential turntablists to date. His innovative styles and sounds have and always will mold and shape hip hop music. Born Richard Quitevis in early October of 1969, Qbert grew up in San Francisco, California. His diverse taste in music and passion for hip-hop culture among other things led him to start spinning records at the age of fifteen.
Qbert lost his first battle ever to the Michael Schwartz, also known as Mix Master Mike. The two of them founded The Incisibl Skratch Piklz along with DJ Apollo in 1989. The Skratch Piklz were one of the first if not the first truntalist crews to create music by mixing various bass lines, drums, melodies, and layer scratches as a lead instrument. DJ Apollo left the group in the early 90’s. The remaining duo later added DJ Disk, Shortkut, DJ Flare, Yogafrog, D-Styles, A-Trak to the group. In mid 2000 the Skratch Piklz performed there last show as a group.
From scratch and battle records, cassettes, and vinyl to DVD’s, Qbert has released over thirty projects over the years (not counting countless features, mixes, and production credits. Qbert has also collaborated with Vestax to develop the QFO, a unique all in one instrument for turntablists. As well as a special edition turntable cartridge for Ortofon. Among many other national and world championship titles. Qbert held the title at the DMC from 1991-1994. The DMC then asked him judge the competition instead of compete. Soon after he was inducted in to the DMC DJ Hall of Fame in 1998.
L.F.- What were some of your early influences in music?
Qbert- DJ Cash Money, Jazzy Jeff, Joe Cooley, DJ Man, Mr. Mixx, DJ Evil-E, Jimi Hendrix, Mozart, Louis Armstrong, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Benny Goodman, Miles Davis, Rakim, Kool G Rap, Biz Markie, Pee Wee Russel, Ella Fitzgerald,
L.F.- What was your first experience of hip-hop music?
Qbert- Breaking in high school and all the music and beats they were playing in their boomboxes walking down the streets and the mid 80’s street fashion! An incredible time for all the new discoveries of hip-hop
L.F.- When did you decide you wanted to DJ and what equipment were you using
in the beginning?
Qbert- I was just doing it for fun skratching on a component stereo system with a turntable on top, tape deck and radio on the front! I would press the radio and turntable button at the same time and try to mix and skratch like that, while the tape recorder was recording!
L.F.- How did the Invisibl Skratch Piklz come together?
Qbert- Just a bunch of great djs in the bay getting together to make a turntable band. We were all friends through like thinking with hip hop and it was a really easy thing to become a turntable band. It was just all for fun and the love of hip-hop
L.F.- Do you keep in touch with any of them? Is there a possibility of any collaborations with any of them in the future?
Qbert- Everyone nowadays lives far from each other, but I try and say happy birthday and Merry Christmas to them all the time, ha. I would love a reunion with all of them, but good luck to the first promoter to actually get us all together, ha-ha!
L.F.- What elements make a good DJ?
Qbert- Originality and knowledge of musical theory. A dj that knows to always entertain the crowd. so that takes a lot of practice and constant elevation with their art. they know what sounds good and won’t hurt our ears.
L.F.- Who are your top 5 favorite DJ’s?
Qbert- I can’t answer that, but I’ll give you 20: Joe Cooley, Cash Money, Jazzy Jeff, Eclipse, Mista Sinister, Mix Master Mike, A-Trak, Craze, Shortkut, Disk, Flare, Vajra, d-styles, Gelo, Toadstyles, Precision, Rafik, Z-Trip, Roc Raida, Rob Swift
L.F.- What do you love the most about what you do?
Qbert- making people happy
L.F.- What has been the greatest lesson you have learned through music?
Qbert- Vibrations are what the universe is made of. “giving is the ultimate happiness, and selfishness is the ultimate evil”, “say it before you play it”, “it ain’t no thing if it ain’t got that swing”
L.F.- Do you record at home or go to a studio?
Qbert- at home, then finalize in a studio.
L.F.- What gear do you prefer to work with these days?
Qbert- technics 1200, qfo, vestax 05 pro q mixer, sp1200, mpc 3000, asr 10, protools
L.F.- What are your thoughts and opinions of the evolution and current state of hip hop culture, music, and the industry?
Qbert- Well commercial music always sucks... sometimes I like one thing here and there, but my ear is mostly to the underground. so the evolution of underground hip-hop is great! Ever heard of Percee-P?
L.F.- Has there been that has been a mentor to you over the years? How have they affected your life?
Qbert- just the old jazz musicians and great musicians on video and youtube are my mentors, plus my friends always giving me advice. Ever heard of lang lang?
L.F.- What advice can you give to anybody aspiring to express themselves through music?
Qbert- be true to your inside sounds and hard work and patience will definitely pay off!
Links
www.djqbert.comr
www.myspace.com/djqbert
www.thudrumble.com
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