DJ Revolution: Taking Over the World, One Cut at a Time

Written by Sonia Almanza de Gambaro on Friday, 12 March 2010 12:06

If you ever find yourself dancing in a club and you begin to hear some razor sharp cutting and scratching that doesn't mess-up your groove but enhances it instead, take a look up at the turntables. You just might see Dj Revolution. Gone are the days when a DJ had to really flex to be appreciated by the dancefloor, at least in the Hip Hop realm. These days if a DJ starts scratching they are more than likely going to be accosted by some tipsy ladies demanding that he play some T-Pain and stop that scratching. However, I have yet to witness this happen to Rev. When it comes to Dj Revolution’s skills manning the wheels of steel, the difference between man and machine is nonexistent, even sweaty dancefloor divas have to give it up. He is so precise with the rhythmic patterns that it makes sense that he is the DJ of the internationally acclaimed Wake up Show with Sway and Tech. This is a show that has endured the many changing faces of Hip Hop music without ever compromising on the freshness and the music that it represents. Having been syndicated all over the world, Revolution travels almost non-stop to rock parties or to showcase his skills. His production is impeccable as well and is responsible for the cutting edge release "King of the Decks" which featured many incredible emcees such as Guilty Simpson, Tash and KRS-One. From scratching and turntablism to production, radio and rocking dancefloors around the globe, DJ Revolution has mastered his craft. Mixing and scratching perfectly as though his hands were perfectly calibrated machines, Sofisticati celebrates a true Hip Hop king.

Sonia Gambaro: Your website biography is very interesting (and entertaining) tell us how you began DJing with the help of your grandpa.

DJ Revolution: I was 12 and my grandfather wanted to try and get me a hobby and he knew I liked music. He dragged some old dusty turntables from the attic and showed me how to connect them to a mixer that i watched him build from scratch in his workshop. It was made from scrap metal, wires and knobs. I learned the basics of sound first. how it all worked. How the needle read the soundwaves imprinted on the groove of the record and carried the vibrations and electrical impulses back through the copper wires to be translated back as vibrations our brains were able to hear as audio. Then after he taught me how to rig all the wires and properly use the equipment I was off on my own. I spent my allowances every week at the local record shop buying pop and rock 45's and Lp's. Just basically beginning to discover music for myself. Once i got more familiar i started to sell custom mixtapes to my fellow 5/6th grade classmates because after all, who at that age has the knowledge and means to have all the music that's hot and a way to put it together. I was killing it. It want until years later that i discovered hip hop.

SG: I first heard of you on the Wake up Show with Sway & Tech, how did you hook up with those cats?

DJ Revolution: I was working in the marketing department of a now out of business industry magazine called HITS. My good friend and DJ Prince Ice was also working there at the same time he was dj'n for the Wake Up Show. we became friends quickly and that's how i became aware of the show as i was still fairly new to the LA music scene at this point. When he left the magazine to work for the show full time i decided i wanted to send a tape to KingTech because Ice had said they were looking for a new DJ as he was working more on the production/syndication side of the show. so i did, and two weeks later Ice came back to the magazine and told me Tech wanted to have me up to the show.

SG: What got you started with scratching? And how much practicing would you normally do when you were coming up?

DJ Revolution: Knowing what i knew about sound i was completely astounded that i was hearing the evolution of how it was manipulated through a newer technology
for a new genre of music. i was all in right from the moment i heard "the adventures of grandmaster flash on the wheels of steel". The way someone made a new record
out of scratching and multitracking/mixing records that were already made. after that i discovered other dj's and paid more attention to the technical aspect of it all.
after i figure it all out and began real scratching. i practiced only a little, until i realized i was really good at it. then, it was non stop. 4 or 5 hours a day everyday for years and
years. scratching, mixing, recording and studying the music. not to mention i was a gigantic fan of hip hop by then. it was in my blood at 16. which is more hat i can say
for most djs coming up now. they just love it cuz it makes them money. hip hop wasnt 'cool' everywhere when i was young. only in inner citties like NY and Boston. it hadnt sprad
widely and wouldnt until the 90's. so i was finding all of this out on my own or through friends. no one taught me. no Dj school. no Dj videos. nothing. just pure passion.

SG: What records influenced you in the beginning.

DJ Revolution: As i mentioned, "the adventure of GM flash on the wheels of steel" . Anything Jazzy Jeff did, Cash Money or Dj Scratch. Aladdin and Joe Cooley were doin' it big out west so i ahd all the records they were involved with.

SG: Being the DJ for the Wake Up Show, you have DJ'd for almost every emcee in history. Tell us three of your most memorable experiences.

DJ Revolution: Every week was an experience. it was so fun all the time but there are more memorable moments. Big Pun came by and ripped the mic a new asshole but simultaneously blew the arms out on the chair he was sitting in. After he was gone and the show was over we hadnt realized it until the overnight jock came in to the control room and was like "what the fuck happened to that chair?" We couldnt figure it out until i realized that was where Pun was sitting.
Needless to say it was ruined. The first time i ever came up to the show and met Sway and tech and the crew i also met all the beat junkies, scratch pickles and the x-men. I hadn't planned on bringing any routines to do at the show. Tech just said bring up some new shit and some classics to get busy for like a half hour or so. It was also the first time i had ever seen, let alone used a vestax 05pro. It was the grey prototype and wanst availble in the US. I later hooked up with
Rhettmattic to buy one for cheap. anyway, They all did their DMC winning routines that night. In the end though....i ended up ripping it and of course the rest is history. The first time we did a live simulcast with Marley Marl and Pete rock from NY. I was cuttin it up and playin' some shit. Then Pete would go. Then after that we had Kutmaster Kurt battle Pete Rock break for break. it was Ill. there are so many more...

SG: . What has been your worst DJ moment?

DJ Revolution: Lending my so called friend my only technic 1200 so he could paint it black, only to find out after a month of chasing him down he had sold it to some asswipe in the projects.

SG: In addition to killing it on the Hip Hop tip, you really know how to rock a dancefloor for the ladies, do you ever get the urge to start juggling Beyonce or scratch an Alicia Keyes acappella?

DJ Revolution: Not really. people who like those styles of music dont give a fuck about scratching or juggling or turntablism in general. however i do have to entertain myself playing that stuff or ill just fall asleep so i just randomly choose records to cut up or what have you. club go-ers for the most part just wanna here the hits. If you can sprinkle a little spice on it with a few dj tricks....they think your incredible. Too easy. But really i think its mostly wasted. Good mixing, scratching etc....they dont reaaly care that much. maybe a good 10% are actually paying attention to the actual music aspects of the sounds they are 'dancing' to. my way of thinking about it is this. if a chef is given low quality food to cook with and has no choice but to make a meal of it, no matter how he makes it look it still tastes like shit.

SG:  You are also an accomplished producer, putting out not only your own records but creating original music for the Film and Television industry, has that become your focus?

DJ Revolution: I'd like to to be a more major part of my day/weeks. It is slowly starting to pay off. its as hard to break into as any other field. im still learning the ropes and there are of course politics and narcissism as there are in the rap game but its mroe about me making what i feel like making so its worth it. its fun. just make wahatever and not have to worry about counting bars for a rapper. no worries about selling it. really just stressing the quantity of material you have out. if you have a large catalog...you are guaranteed to make lots of money. im on my way tho fo sho.

SG: Where are your favorite countries or cities around the world to play?

DJ Revolution: I love playing in australia and New Zealand. I've been there many times and made some lifelong friends and connections to music there. The music has taken me so many places its
hard to pick favorites. One of my favorite cities is Zurich, Switzerland. Asia is also nice. i just love experiencing culture. every time i go someplace i discover something
new about myself and the world. its unreal.

SG: What do you do to relax? I hear you every week! If not on the radio, out in the club. When does Dj Revolution get to unwind?

DJ Revolution: I wear so many hats its hard to relax. but i what i do for a a living is what so many do to unwind and relax so thats also confusing at times becuase i need to find alternatives. i hang with my family, play some video games, read and do a lot of working out like a maniac.

SG: You're an outspoken guy and I know you now use a computer in the club but I'd like to hear you speak on the influx of new computer only DJ's. You know the guys who never touched a record in their lives but who are now getting booked with their iPod.

DJ Revolution: I am actually not concerned with the new guys who never touched vinyl before. its technology, its evolution and progress. im all for it. as long as the end result of the person using the computer is entertaining for people to listen to or dance to. not their fault that thew came up in a time when vinyl is outdated and rendered virtually useless to them. but if they arent doing their thing properly thats when i have an issue. believe it or not though, its more often that i find myself getting irate at some guys that i know that have been doing it for as long as i have that get superwack after they get a computer based system.

SG:  Your King of the Decks album was phenomenal, much more than just a DJ album or mixtape. What was your mission behind putting out an album like this.

DJ Revolution: To make sure nobody forgets how good and pure the music can be with a DJ involved from start to finish. Also, to make people understand that when the Dj was pushed to the back
and hip hop became all about the superstar MC the quality was severely degraded over a short period of time. We (DJs) are the last line of defense. Quality control. We know how to make the music properly, becuase we are playing it for people and know what they like. we dont live in a studio or a bubble that consist of smoking weed and rappin' into a mirror.

SG:  What's coming next from DJ Revolution?

DJ Revolution: Its what has always come next. more music. more projects. more touring and anything i can do to keep making this music and making a living at the same time. when it stops being fun. ill show up at your front door in a brown outfit asking you to sign for a package.

SG: Top 5 Classic Records

DJ Revolution:
Paid In Full - Eric B & Rakim
It takes a nation of millions to hold us back - Public Enemy
Amerikkas most wanted - Ice Cube
Wanted dead or Alive - Kool G Rap.
King of the Decks - DJ Revolution

SG:  Top 5 Current Records

DJ Revolution:
in this world-reflection eternal
exhibit c- jay electronica
the stimulus package- freeway & jake one
stoney jackson- madlib and strongarm steady
malcolm & martin- life doesnt frighten me

SG:  Where can the Sofisticati community come hear you get down?

DJ Revolution: I do a party once a month with my partner Scetch in downtown LA. its called freedom of beats and every time we have new guest Djs.
the theme is all about the Dj being able to play whatever he or she wants to play. no restrictions. its about us. not the crowd. it makes for a real good time
with good music. im all over the map as well. you know, europe, asia, australia etc....wherever i go tho, its a guaranteed good time.

Thanks Rev! For more infromation about Dj Revolution please visit http://www.djrev.net/

-Sonia Almanza de Gambaro

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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 13 July 2010 16:17 )