Introduction
Have you heard of DJ Qbert? He’s a legendary turntablist who has influenced countless DJs worldwide. He’s known for his incredible scratching and beat juggling skills, and he’s won multiple world championships. But there’s so much more to Qbert than just his DJing abilities. In this blog post, we’ll dive into 10 DJ Qbert facts you should know before your next show. Whether you’re a fan of Qbert or simply want to learn more about him, keep reading!
Section 1: Childhood and Early Influences
DJ Qbert, whose real name is Richard Quitevis, was born on October 7, 1969, in San Francisco, California. He grew up in a Filipino household and was surrounded by music from a young age. His mother was a piano teacher, and his father played the guitar and sang in a band. Qbert grew up listening to a variety of music genres, from classical to rock to disco.
One of Qbert’s early influences was his older brother, who introduced him to the art of DJing. Qbert would watch his brother practice on his turntables and became fascinated by the way he could manipulate music. This sparked Qbert’s interest in DJing, and he began experimenting with his own turntables at the age of 15.
Section 2: The Invisible Scratch Pickles
In the late 1980s, Qbert formed a DJ crew with Mix Master Mike and DJ Apollo called The Invisible Scratch Pickles (ISP). The group became known for their innovative scratching techniques and performances that pushed the boundaries of turntablism. They won multiple DJ battles and helped popularize turntablism as an art form.
Qbert’s involvement with ISP was a turning point in his career, as it led to opportunities to perform around the world and collaborate with other DJs and musicians.
Section 3: Thud Rumble
In 1996, Qbert founded Thud Rumble, a company that produces DJ equipment, videos, and music. Thud Rumble has become a leading brand in the DJ industry and has collaborated with companies like Serato and Pioneer DJ.
Qbert also uses Thud Rumble as a platform to showcase his collaborations with other DJs and musicians. The company has released numerous albums and videos featuring Qbert’s scratching and beat juggling skills.
Section 4: World Championship Titles
Qbert is considered one of the greatest DJs of all time, and his world championship titles speak to his talent. He’s won the DMC World DJ Championship three times (1992, 1993, and 1994) and the ITF World DJ Championship five times (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000).
Qbert’s championship titles have cemented his legacy as a pioneer of turntablism and have inspired countless DJs around the world.
Section 5: Educational Outreach
Qbert is not only known for his performances but also for his educational outreach. He’s passionate about sharing his knowledge and skills with the next generation of DJs and has created an online school called Qbert Skratch University.
Through Qbert Skratch University, Qbert offers in-depth lessons on scratching and beat juggling, as well as tips for successful DJing and music production. He’s also a frequent guest speaker at universities and events, where he shares his insights and experiences with aspiring DJs.
Section 6: Collaborations
Qbert has collaborated with numerous artists over the years, from rappers to rock bands to electronic musicians. One of his most notable collaborations was with DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist, where they performed using only vinyl from Afrika Bambaataa’s record collection.
Qbert has also worked with artists like Kool Keith, Mix Master Mike, and Dan The Automator. His collaborations showcase his ability to adapt his scratching and beat juggling skills to different genres and styles of music.
Section 7: Personal Life
Outside of his DJing career, Qbert is a devoted family man. He has two children with his wife Yogafrog, who is also a DJ and artist. Qbert is also an avid yogi and practices daily meditation and mindfulness.
Despite his busy schedule, Qbert always makes time for his family and personal wellness. He believes that taking care of oneself is crucial for success both in and out of the DJ booth.
FAQs
Q1: What is DJ Qbert’s real name?
A1: DJ Qbert’s real name is Richard Quitevis.
Q2: How many times has DJ Qbert won the DMC World DJ Championship?
A2: DJ Qbert has won the DMC World DJ Championship three times (1992, 1993, and 1994).
Q3: What is Qbert Skratch University?
A3: Qbert Skratch University is an online school created by DJ Qbert that offers in-depth lessons on scratching and beat juggling, as well as tips for successful DJing and music production.
Q4: What is Thud Rumble?
A4: Thud Rumble is a company founded by DJ Qbert that produces DJ equipment, videos, and music.
Q5: Who has DJ Qbert collaborated with?
A5: DJ Qbert has collaborated with numerous artists, including DJ Shadow, Cut Chemist, Kool Keith, Mix Master Mike, and Dan The Automator.
Q6: What is DJ Qbert’s personal life like?
A6: DJ Qbert is a devoted family man and practices daily meditation and mindfulness in addition to his DJing career.
Q7: What is DJ Qbert’s educational outreach?
A7: DJ Qbert’s educational outreach includes Qbert Skratch University and guest speaking at universities and events.
Conclusion
DJ Qbert is a legendary turntablist who has made a significant impact on turntablism as an art form. His innovative scratching and beat juggling techniques, world championship titles, and collaborations have inspired countless DJs around the world. Additionally, his educational outreach and personal wellness practices speak to his dedication to sharing his knowledge and prioritizing his well-being. The next time you see DJ Qbert perform, you’ll have even more appreciation for the man behind the turntables.