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Hip Hop Turntablism: Creativity and Collaboration

Marcus Bell

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Hip hop turntablism is a subgenre of hip hop music that focuses on the creative and technical use of turntables to manipulate and transform recorded music. It is a collaborative art form that often involves multiple DJs working together to create unique and innovative musical performances.

Hip-Hop Turntablism, Creativity and Collaboration (Ashgate Popular and Folk Music Series)

by Sophy Smith

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Turntablists use a variety of techniques to create their music, including scratching, beatmatching, and sampling. Scratching is the act of moving a record back and forth on a turntable to create a percussive sound. Beatmatching is the process of matching the tempos of two or more records so that they can be played together in synchronization. Sampling is the act of taking a portion of a recorded song and using it in a new musical composition.

Hip hop turntablism is a highly creative and expressive art form. Turntablists use their skills to create new and innovative sounds that can be used in a variety of musical contexts. They often collaborate with other musicians, including rappers, singers, and instrumentalists, to create unique and memorable musical performances.

The history of hip hop turntablism

Hip hop turntablism emerged in the early 1970s in New York City. DJs at block parties began to experiment with using turntables to create new and innovative sounds. They would often use two or more turntables to create a continuous mix of music, and they would use scratching and other techniques to add their own personal touch to the music.

In the early 1980s, hip hop turntablism began to gain popularity outside of New York City. DJs began to tour the country and the world, and they began to release records of their own music. By the mid-1980s, hip hop turntablism had become a major force in the hip hop music scene.

The techniques of hip hop turntablism

Turntablists use a variety of techniques to create their music, including:

Scratching: Scratching is the act of moving a record back and forth on a turntable to create a percussive sound. Turntablists use a variety of scratching techniques, including the baby scratch, the flare, and the chirp.
Beatmatching: Beatmatching is the process of matching the tempos of two or more records so that they can be played together in synchronization. Turntablists use a variety of beatmatching techniques, including the beatmatch by ear, the beatmatch by eye, and the beatmatch by software.
Sampling: Sampling is the act of taking a portion of a recorded song and using it in a new musical composition. Turntablists often use samples to create new beats, melodies, and hooks.

The creativity of hip hop turntablism

Turntablists are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible with turntables. They are always experimenting with new techniques and new ways to use turntables to create music. As a result, hip hop turntablism is a constantly evolving art form that is always full of surprises.

The collaboration of hip hop turntablism

Hip hop turntablism is a collaborative art form that often involves multiple DJs working together to create unique and innovative musical performances. Turntablists often work together in pairs or groups, and they often share ideas and techniques with each other. This collaboration helps to create a sense of community among turntablists, and it helps to push the boundaries of what is possible with turntables.

Some of the most famous turntablist collaborations include:

The X-Ecutioners: The X-Ecutioners are a turntablist group that was formed in New York City in the early 1990s. The group is known for their innovative use of turntables and their high-energy live performances.
The Beat Junkies: The Beat Junkies are a turntablist group that was formed in Los Angeles in the early 1990s. The group is known for their technical skills and their ability to create complex and innovative beats.
The Invisibl Skratch Piklz: The Invisibl Skratch Piklz are a turntablist group that was formed in San Francisco in the early 1990s. The group is known for their experimental approach to turntablism and their use of unconventional sounds.

The future of hip hop turntablism

Hip hop turntablism is a constantly evolving art form that is always full of surprises. Turntablists are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible

Hip-Hop Turntablism, Creativity and Collaboration (Ashgate Popular and Folk Music Series)

by Sophy Smith

5 out of 5