Scratch - Summer Screening - 2

A feature-length documentary film about hip-hop DJing, otherwise known as turntablism.

Scratch
( 2001 )

Director : Doug Pray
Runtime : 92 min

Scratch is a definitive guide to hip-hop. From the Golden Era of 1982 to the lives of the stalwarts of the scene at the time, such as Grand Master Flash, Afrika Bambaata, Mix Master Mike and the likes thereof. This documentary is a veritable almanac for the novice hip hop fan, from expounding on the line that is to be drawn between hip-hop and rap to such colloquialisms as digging and scratching an and the difference of a competition style of scratching, a recording and an average gig style of scratching. This is the perfect documentary for the hip hop head who wants to discover the roots of a movement that went over-ground but never lost the underground integrity of the scene, especially giving focus to those Djs and Mcs that give respect to the Old-Skool ethos. This is a documentation of Urban culture at it’s best, with mothers giving their account of their sons practicing on their turn tables the way one would imagine an Ustad drowning himself in a day long riyaz session. The turntablist and the virtuoso aspect of the practice of such artists are absolutely and without a doubt undeniable. What’s also interesting to note is the multi-ethnic identities of each of the Djs with unmatched talent, ever ready to face of in battle in a fashion almost reminiscent of the Capoeira dancers of Brazil they will vent their frustrations on one another but never out of disrespect for their fellow mix masters. The shame is that the hip hop I and many other who grew up in this country have been and continue to be exposed to are really just watered down augmented versions of these masters work, a must watch film for those interested in understanding the original and most fundamental culture of hip-hop.

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