Editing DJ Scratch

{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Short description|American hip hop producer (born 1968)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}

{{Infobox musical artist
| image             = DJScratchInBerlin.JPG
| caption           = DJ Scratch in 2008
| birth_name        = George Spivey
| alias             = Jam Master DJ Scratch
| birth_date        = {{Birth date and age|1968|6|21|mf=y}}
| birth_place       = [[Brooklyn]], New York City, U.S.
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}}
| genre             = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
| occupation        = {{hlist|Disc jockey|producer}}
| years_active      = 1985–present
| label             = B.U.D.A. Productions Inc.
| past_member_of    = {{hlist|[[EPMD]]|[[Flipmode Squad]]}}
| website           = {{URL|scratchvision.com}}
}}

'''George Spivey''' (born June 21, 1968), known professionally as '''DJ Scratch''', is an American [[hip hop music|hip hop]] DJ and producer from [[Brooklyn]], New York.<ref name="Price">{{cite book|last=Price, III Ph.D.|first=Emmett G.|title=Hip-Hop Culture|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dg5Alq8j5xAC&dq=%22DJ+Scratch%22&pg=PT12|access-date=March 18, 2011|date=210|publisher= Coughlan Publishing|isbn=1-4296-4016-2|page=23}}</ref>

DJ Scratch is the 1988 New Music Seminar Battle For World Supremacy DJ champion, the 2010 [[Master of the Mix]] winner and the 2012, 2013 & 2014 Global Spin Awards' "Turntablist of the Year". 19 albums produced by DJ Scratch were [[RIAA certification|certified Gold]] in United States, seven of them were certified as Platinum.

== Career ==
DJ Scratch was introduced to [[EPMD]] by [[Jam Master Jay]] at the Run's House Tour after DJ K LA Boss left EPMD.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://hot963.com/688701/rapper-dmc-bestows-jam-master-title-upon-dj-scratch/|title=Rapper DMC Bestows 'Jam Master' Title Upon DJ Scratch| website=hot963.com |date=July 8, 2010 |access-date=June 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.thewordisbond.com/walker-wear-producer-series-dj-scratch/|title=Walker Wear Producer Series – DJ Scratch • Word Is Bond| website=thewordisbond.com |date=January 22, 2015 |access-date=June 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url= https://riotsound.com/interview/dj-scratch/|title=DJ Scratch Interview: Cuttin' Up The Game| website=riotsound.com |access-date=June 24, 2019}}</ref> Impressed by his skills, the two designated DJ Scratch as their official [[D.J.]] by their second album ''[[Unfinished Business (EPMD album)|Unfinished Business]]'' in 1989. His presence was felt with his powerful cutting and scratching techniques that are heard on various tracks. Aside from scratching, on ''[[Business as Usual (EPMD album)|Business As Usual]]'', he produced the track "Funky Piano", "Rampage" and in 1991 worked on a remix for "I'm Mad" off the "Rampage" 12" single.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.hongkonghustle.com/music/24164/dj-scratch-epmd-interview-hk/|title=Interview W DJ Scratch Of EPMD Performing At PLAY – Saturday!| website=hongkonghustle.com |date=July 26, 2016 |access-date=June 24, 2019}}</ref>

In 1992, Scratch produced "Scratch Bring It Back, Pt. 2 (Mic Doc)" and briefly worked with his cousin [[DJ Magic Mike]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Torsten Schmidt |first1=Emma Warren |title=DJ Magic Mike |url=https://www.redbullmusicacademy.com/lectures/dj-magic-mike-boot-the-bass |website=redbullmusicacademy.com |publisher=Red Bull |access-date=November 25, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=D.J. MAGIC MIKE, ORLANDO'S RAP MAESTRO BRANCHING OUT |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1994-09-11-9409070683-story.html |website=orlandosentinel.com |date=September 11, 1994 |publisher=Orlando Sentinel |access-date=November 25, 2021}}</ref> after EPMD broke up. Soon Scratch made a name for himself as a producer for [[Busta Rhymes]] and the Flipmode Squad off [[The Coming|Busta's debut album]] in 1996.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.crazypellas.net/mainstream-music-20/dj-scratch-face-off-interview-14351/|title=DJ Scratch: Face Off – Interview| website=crazypellas.net |access-date=June 24, 2019}}</ref> By 2003 DJ Scratch became a well distinguished and revered [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] [[Record producer|producer]] after working with [[50 Cent]], [[LL Cool J]], [[Talib Kweli]], [[Pharoahe Monch]], [[DMX (rapper)|DMX]], [[The Roots]], [[Q-Tip (rapper)|Q-Tip]] and other notable acts.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://swaysuniverse.com/dj-scratch-sway-in-the-morning-mix/|title=DJ Scratch Sway In The Morning Mix| website=swaysuniverse.com |access-date=June 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://allhiphop.com/features/dj-scratch-face-off-IzS5vQsBfEmWMMqRNPKOeQ/|title=DJ Scratch: Face Off|website=www.allhiphop.com|first=AllHipHop|last=STAFF|date=May 29, 2006|quote=The former EPMD DJ unveils his identity. Whether it's lacing hits for Busta Rhymes and LL Cool J, or popping wheelies, the face is revealed and the game is real.|access-date=December 17, 2019|archive-date=December 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217170047/https://allhiphop.com/features/dj-scratch-face-off-IzS5vQsBfEmWMMqRNPKOeQ/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Scratch was the [[resident DJ]] for three nationally aired TV Shows: ''Hip Hop Hold Em{{'}}'', [[WNYW|Fox 5]]'s ''Uptown Comedy Club'' and [[BET (TV network)|B.E.T.]]'s ''Rap City: The Basement''. Scratch's film credits include ''[[Juice (1992 film)|Juice]]'', ''The Original 50 Cent'', ''Backstage'', ''Fly By Night'', ''[[Rhyme & Reason (film)|Rhyme & Reason]]'' and [[Spike Lee]]'s film ''[[Bamboozled]]''. In addition, [[Coca-Cola]] commissioned Scratch to produce & feature in their first DJ commercial, "3 DJs".<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvdXPv_9gzk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/uvdXPv_9gzk| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Coca-Cola commercial with DJ Magic Mike & DJ Scratch| website=youtube.com |date=August 24, 2015 |access-date=June 24, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.djscratch.com/biography.html |title=DJ Scratch  |access-date=January 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106221350/http://www.djscratch.com/biography.html |archive-date=November 6, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

According to [[PMD (rapper)|PMD]] of EPMD, DJ Scratch left the group in 2015.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46946/title.epmds-parish-smith-talks-yo-mtv-raps-reunion-dj-scratch-fallout|title=EPMD's Parish Smith Talks "Yo! MTV Raps" Reunion & DJ Scratch Fallout|first=Kyle|last=Eustice|date=May 22, 2018| website=hiphopdx.com |access-date=June 24, 2019}}</ref> Scratch posted on his Instagram page words of resentment towards former participants on January 2, 2017.<ref>{{cite web| url= https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.41878/title.dj-scratch-airs-out-epmd-for-being-too-cheap-to-pay-him|title=DJ Scratch Clarifies Why He Aired Out EPMD On Instagram|first=Trent|last=Clark|date=January 2, 2017| website=hiphopdx.com |access-date=June 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url= https://hiphopwired.com/531005/dj-scratch-epmd-beef/|title=DJ Scratch Airs Out EPMD For Stiffing Him On Money (by D.L. Chandler) (January 3, 2017)| website=hiphopwired.com |date=January 3, 2017 |access-date=June 24, 2019}}</ref>

In 2016, DJ Scratch helped fill in for [[A Tribe Called Quest]]'s DJ [[Ali Shaheed Muhammad]] on their final album ''[[We Got It from Here... Thank You 4 Your Service]]'' due to Ali producing the soundtrack for the ''[[Luke Cage (TV series)|Luke Cage]]'' TV series with [[Adrian Younge]] at the time.

As of 2022, Scratch hosts The DJ Scratch Show on [[LL Cool J's Rock the Bells Radio|LL Cool J’s Rock The Bells Radio]], which is a station on [[Sirius XM]]. It is a mix show that features the DJ curating a selection of classic hip-hop.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Legendary beat maker DJ Scratch has new SiriusXM radio show |url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/entertainment/2022/04/21/legendary-beat-maker-dj-scratch-has-new-siriusxm-radio-show |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=www.ny1.com |language=en}}</ref>

Scratch calls [[Grandmaster Flash]] his mentor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://globalspin365.com/dj-scratch-shows-his-skills-and-speaks-on-his-life-in-an-interview-with-hot-97s-dj-enuff/|title=DJ SCRATCH SHOWS HIS SKILLS AND SPEAKS ON HIS LIFE, IN AN INTERVIEW WITH HOT 97'S DJ ENUFF|website=globalspin365.com|access-date=June 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190625230528/http://globalspin365.com/dj-scratch-shows-his-skills-and-speaks-on-his-life-in-an-interview-with-hot-97s-dj-enuff/|archive-date=June 25, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Awards and nominations ==
[[File:DJScratchOct05.jpg|thumb|DJ Scratch in 2005]]
*1988 — New Music Seminar Battle For World Supremacy DJ champion<ref>{{cite book| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=sB3SAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA284|title=Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists (2014) – page 284|isbn=978-1-4668-6697-3|access-date=June 24, 2019|last1=Jenkins|first1=Sacha|last2=Wilson|first2=Elliott|last3=Mao|first3=Jeff|last4=Alvarez|first4=Gabe|last5=Rollins|first5=Brent|date=March 25, 2014|publisher=St. Martin's Publishing }}</ref>
*2010 — [[Master of the Mix]] winner<ref>{{cite press release| url= https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-master-of-the-mix-isdj-scratch-112375964.html|title=The Master of the Mix is...DJ Scratch!| website=prnewswire.com |access-date=June 24, 2019}}</ref>
*2012, 2013 & 2014 — Global Spin Awards' "Turntablist Of The Year"<ref>{{cite web| url= http://globalspinawards.com/2018-nominees/past-winners/|title=2017 – 2012 GSA WINNERS LIST BELOW| website=globalspinawards.com |access-date=June 24, 2019}}</ref>

;DJ Scratch-produced works nominated for a [[Grammy]] award:
*[[Busta Rhymes]] — song "[[Gimme Some More]]" (1998) ("Best Rap Solo Performance")
*[[Busta Rhymes]] — album ''[[E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front]]'' (1998) ("Best Rap Album")
*[[The Roots]] — album ''[[Phrenology (album)|Phrenology]]'' (2002) ("Best Rap Album")

;Albums, produced by DJ Scratch, which were certified Gold in United States:
* [[EPMD]] — ''[[Unfinished Business (EPMD album)|Unfinished Business]]'' (1989)
* EPMD — ''[[Business as Usual (EPMD album)|Business as Usual]]'' (1990)
* EPMD — ''[[Business Never Personal]]'' (1992)
* EPMD — ''[[Back in Business (EPMD album)|Back in Business]]'' (1997)
* [[Flipmode Squad]] — ''The Imperial'' (1998)
* [[Q-Tip (rapper)|Q-Tip]] — ''[[Amplified (Q-Tip album)|Amplified]]'' (1999)
* [[Funkmaster Flex]] & [[Big Kap]] — ''[[The Tunnel (album)|The Tunnel]]'' (1999)
* [[LL Cool J]] — ''[[G.O.A.T. (LL Cool J album)|G.O.A.T.]]'' (2000)
* [[Busta Rhymes]] — ''[[It Ain't Safe No More...]]'' (2002)
* [[The Roots]] — ''[[Phrenology (album)|Phrenology]]'' (2002)
* [[Talib Kweli]] — ''[[Quality (Talib Kweli album)|Quality]]'' (2002)

;Albums, produced by DJ Scratch, which were certified Platinum in United States:
* [[Busta Rhymes]] — ''[[The Coming]]'' (1996)
* Busta Rhymes — ''[[When Disaster Strikes]]'' (1997)
* Busta Rhymes — ''[[E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front]]'' (1998)
* [[DJ Clue]] — ''[[The Professional (album)|The Professional]]'' (1998)
* [[Method Man & Redman]] — ''[[Blackout! (Method Man & Redman album)|Blackout!]]'' (1999)
* [[Busta Rhymes]] — ''[[Anarchy (Busta Rhymes album)|Anarchy]]'' (2000)
* [[DMX (rapper)|DMX]] — ''[[Grand Champ]]'' (2003)

== Discography ==
{{Main|DJ Scratch production discography}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{Discogs artist|DJ Scratch}}
* {{Discogs artist|George Spivey|George Spivey}}
* {{IMDb name|0780087|DJ Scratch}}
* [https://genius.com/artists/Dj-scratch DJ Scratch] at [[Rapgenius]]
* {{URL|http://www.scratchvision.com|Official website DJ Scratch}}
* [http://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/dj-scratch DJ Scratch Interview] at [[NAMM Oral History Program|NAMM Oral History Collection]] (June 19, 2017)

{{s-start}}
{{s-new|first}}
{{s-ttl|title=''[[Master of the Mix]]'' winner|years=[[Master of the Mix#Season 1 (2010)|2010]]}}
{{S-aft|after=DJ P}}
{{s-end}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Scratch, DJ}}
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American hip-hop DJs]]
[[Category:African-American DJs]]
[[Category:Musicians from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:East Coast hip-hop musicians]]
[[Category:African-American record producers]]
[[Category:American hip-hop record producers]]
[[Category:EPMD members]]
[[Category:Record producers from New York (state)]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American people]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American people]]
[[Category:Hit Squad members]]