|
 A-Trak Interview
deejay feature 0005 added 29.01.01 words Smiffy
Onetime Scratch Pickl, fulltime member of The Allies, youngest turntablist ever blah blah, if you know of the man then you'll be interested in a bit more about him, if not then what you reading it for? Smiffy tracked A-Trak and asked him the usual DJ fodder questions....
Ezee…..
Innit. (that’s my British impression)
Can you tell us where are your living at the moment?
I live in Montreal, Canada.
What was your inspiration to start DJing?
I basically started scratching for fun on my father’s old belt-drive turntable, without a mixer. But when I saw that I was really at ease with it I practised more and more often and finally bought some decent equipment.
So when did you start and how much of your early days was spent messing on the decks?
I started in 95 when I was 13. Back then I’d say I used to spend one or two hours a day on the turntables.
Were you in a crew during those initial stages or on your own just trying stuff - i.e. like did you have mates to show you shit or did you pick it up off your own back?
No actually I didn’t know anybody at all when I started. When I jammed with another DJ for the first time, I had already been DJing for about 6 months. I pretty much learnt everything by myself.
Did you ever think it would take you from your plot and allow you to travel all over the world? If not - when did it hit you that you had a chance to do that? How did that feel?
No, not at all. I remember after I met Qbert and Yogafrog for the first time (that was in March of 1997), we were emailing each other and one time Yogafrog told me that they were starting to work on a project called Turntable TV (Who knew it would become so big?) and they wanted to feature me in it. I was stunned and I remember thinking: “Man there’s gotta be tons of DJs who are probably better than me in other cities. Why would they want me on their videos??”. That’s when I realized that this DJ thing was gonna be big for me.
How much did it help you develop by chllin’ with the Picklz when you were so young?
Were you actually ever a proper member of that crew - cos it was like said ‘honourary’ n’ that even though you did three tapes with them?
Well I was a member at first but it was kinda complicated since I was at a completely different part of my career compared to them and we live so far away from each other. But it definitely helped me tons. It motivated me to get a lot better and got my name out.
How does it feel to have been the youngest world champion ever and to have taken all 3 major titles?
It feels great! It’s something to be proud of for me.
Were other turntablists hostile to you cos you were smashing them when you were so young n’ they had been in the game practising for time n’ years for the glory n’ then you just bowled right in and caned it?
Not that many DJs acted like that, but a few did.
When you won your first World Champs you must have been at school right? Did all the geezers at school give you a hard time?
A hard time? No everyone was like, “hey this guys said you’re a DJ, is that true?”.
Do you still see your old mates back home - are they mad jealous at what you’ve achieved when they’re still doing whatever their under?
I still see everyone here. No one’s jealous at all. If anything, the DJs that I used to jam with back in 95, 96 are really proud of me now I think.
What do your parents think of your scratching? Have they always encouraged you?
Now my parents think scratching is great. When I first started though I had a lot of explaining to do. I think the real turning point was when I won the Montreal DMC regionals in 97. After that they were just like, “do what you gotta do”.
Did/Do you have a day job outside of turntablism - if so what is it?
Nope. I’m a full-time student.
What is your current technical set-up?
2 Technics 1200 turntables and a Vestax 07 mixer.
Do you get frustrated when you cant recreate a scratch that you have in your head?
Yup. But then I try to come up with a different scratch that’s similar to the one I had in my head.
Does your progress come in bursts or is it linear during your practise? How do you structure your practise?
It depends. Sometimes I’ll be working on a new routine so I’ll start by practising the patterns that I already have, and then I’ll try to come up with new ones. After that, I’ll practice my cuts. Other times, I’ll scratch for about an hour to warm up, and then I’ll try to come up with new patterns.
How do you manage to sort out routines when you were preparing for the DMC Team Battle this year? Which one of you two took the lead?
A-Trak & Craze
|
I think we both equally contributed to the routine. First we had to do the US West Coast regionals in July, so I went to Miami for a week and Craze and I came up with a 6 minute set. We both had ideas of what kind of routines we wanted to do so it was just a matter of finding records that matched what we had in mind, and getting used to building routines with that many turntables. Usually one of us would come up with something and the other one would try to work with it. Then each time we had something we’d film it, take a break and watch it. So eventually we came up with our set for the first battle. After that we each went back home, but we realized we weren’t happy with that routine. So I went back to Miami at the end of the summer for a week and we came up with a bunch of new stuff. But I had to go back to Montreal because the school year was about to start. Finally Craze came to Montreal for almost a week, before the World finals and we tightened everything and came up with the intro.
Also did your set at the DMC’s go completely to plan? Was there any mistakes?
It went well. It wasn’t flawless, but I was really satisfied when we walked off stage. One of my records skipped and one of Craze’s did too.
Do you get nervous before battles?
Yup.
Some people have said that you have a much more confident and different demenour on stage from when you first came out - have you tried to harden yourself so properly clamp down on the person your battlin?
Yeah, with time I tried to focus more on my stage presence.
After the DMC teams last year you looked pretty upset, what are your feelings about the fact the Scratch Perverts won the battle? Did it make you mad hungry to come and stomp them on their home plot here in the UK? Was it well satisfying when you did just that?
Yeah honestly I was really pissed last year. But that’s just how I am. If I enter a battle I have to win in. That’s the drive that I have. So yes, it just made me want to get revenge in the UK. And it’s not about the Perverts personally. We’re all friends with them.
With all the DJ's battling today who are the ones that you look forward to watching and who do you think has potential to be a future world champion and overthrow your man Craze as DMC champ or defeat you in the ITF’s?
Well Craze and I aren’t battling anymore. But among the DJs that are battling nowadays, I like Klever, Infamous, P-Trix, Plus One, Dexta, Pump…
What DJ would you fear most in a battle?
Roc Raida.
To somebody whose never seen a battle - can you explain on what criteria they are judged?
It’s just about who’s doper. Whose routines sound better, who’s more technical, who’s more funky, who’s got better stage presence.
How long does it take you before you are 'in the zone' when cutting (after starting)?
About half an hour.
How many hours a day do you practise?
3 or 4.
Do you do any supplementary training (e.g. Gripmaster, finger exercises, scuba diving, etc)?
I use a Gripmaster.
What was the last record you bought? Did you get double copies?
It was The Roots’ “Distortion to Static” remixes 12”. No I didn’t buy doubles.
'You put your left hand in...'
|
What would you say to somebody who said that hiphop has had all the funk taken out of the production - i.e. that the sound is too clinical?
I’d say it’s the third millenium buddy, get with the times! Anyway, listen to fuckin Mantronix or Whodini… they were making keyboard beats back then too.
Whats your favourite track right now? And do you have one since forever?
Right now my favorite track is “Gangsta Shit” on OutKast’s latest album. My favorite track ever is “Unbelievable” by Biggie.
You recently released a seven inch on Stones Throw and the Allies D-day 12”, and a track with Obscure Disorder on the 100 Strong LP (on Hombre). Can we be expecting more production from A-Trak? Perhaps a battle record, a mixtape or something?
I’m working on a battle record. We’re preparing a new Obscure Disorder single… check out www.audioresearch.net for more updates on that.
What equipment do you use when you produce?
If I use a sampler it’s an Akai MPC 2000XL or S950.
Did you like rest of the 100 Strong LP?
Yeah.
You’ve been and DJ’ed in the Uk quite a bit recently - have you picked up any slang?
Seen!
Did you listen to much homegrown (i.e UK) hiphop when you were out here?
Not really… no one played me anything.
Recently a lot of UK production crews have been releasing quite high profile LP’s (the Nextmen, Creators, Unsung Heroes) - most of these crews have been using US mc’s so they can sell over your side of the ocean (I think) ….. would you ever consider using a UK mc on one of your tracks - like if you chilled with him over here or whatever?
If he’s dope, sure.
Have you ever done a show where the crowd gave you a really hard time?
Once I played at a jiggy club and I started doing routine and some guy was yelling “just play the records!”.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In a mansion!
What bit of equipment do you think changed turntablism the most?
Hamster switches.
Which DJ do you feel took the artform of turntablism forward the most?
Q-Bert.
What do you say to those people that say turntablism becoming boring and samey?
I say they haven’t seen the motherfuckin Allies.
I’ve seen it mentioned but do you think a notation system for scratching can ever be developed?
Well I’ve developed one. Check out the www.the-allies.com in a couple of weeks and you’ll see it.
Do you have any ridiculous routines n’ tricks that you’ve been practising but didn’t have the guts to try in public cos they’re not yet perfect?
It’s happened before, but then I tightened them and did them at other shows later.
Finally, if you could ask any other DJ any question -what would it be and why?
I’d ask them what their favorite animal is, ‘cause I’m sick of djs just talking about djing.
Peace for your time…
Check theallies.com for All things Allies-ish
 
|
