 Artist
of the Month, April 1999
DJ QBERT
Richard Quitevis, better known as DJ QBert to fans throughout the world,
has attracted attention since 1985 when audiences realized his skills
on the turntables were beyond comprehension. Through years of creativity,
imagination, practice and dedication he developed the art of using the
turntable as a musical instrument by inventing unimaginable styles and
creating unique systems of skratching. Today turntablism continues to
advance and branch out
into diversified directions. History established that QBert, currently
amember of the Invisibl Skratch Piklz (ISP), heralded a new era inthe
DJ/turntablist community, and helped raise this art to its new form.
Heavily influenced by the styles of world-renowned jazz musician Miles
Davis, famous electric guitarists Jimmy Hendrix and Les Paul, pianist
Thelonius Monk, and original and innovative DJs throughout the world,
QBert interprets their compositions to create sounds and styles that continue
to generate a worldwide following.
In the early 90's, QBert dominated the DJ scene with his talent and skills.
After claiming the titles of the Disco Mixing Club (DMC) 1991 USA Champion
and the 1992-1994 DMC World Champion, he was asked by the DMC founders
to judge the 1995 DMC Championships instead of actually competing. In
June 1998, QBert, along with another member of ISP, MixMaster Mike, received
the DMC DJ Hall of Fame award for outstanding contributions to the competition
and more importantly, the industry.
The most documented DJ in the world, QBert has been featured in numerous
local and national publications including Details, XXL,Spin, and the Bay
Area Magazine (BAM), as well as international magazines and newspapers.
In January 1998, QBert and the ISP crew graced the cover of the highly
circulated URB magazine.
Also in 1998 QBert appeared in two international movies: Hang The DJ and
Modulations. Both films appeared in highly respected film festivals. The
former was shown at the Cannes Film Festival held inCannes, France, and
the latter emerged at the Sundance Festival in Colorado. The documentary
Hang The DJ, featured QBert and his unbelievable techniques. His impact
on the world DJ culture and the industry has influenced artists not only
in the hip-hop genre, but in all music categories. Modulations, a film
documenting the history and culture of electronic music highlighted QBert
and his skills on the turntable.
QBert is currently working on his solo debut album entitled Wave Twisters.
This "concept album", presents a story about an entire civilization
residing in innerspace, and the only form of communication is through
the sounds of skratching. It will be
followed by a full-length animated film, which is expected to premier
before 2000. This film is a first of its kind, which adds to the uniqueness
and superiority of Wave Twisters.
DJ QBert is considered the greatest DJ/turntablist in the world and of
all time. His album Wave Twisters will definitely capture audiences worldwide.
This album delivers QBert's solo improvisations, along with songs created
through breaking all types of instruments into intricate symbols. The
first skratch concept album ever created makes its debut November 10,
1998. For more information contact the Invisibl Skratch Piklz at (650)
878-9944 or visit ISP on the Internet at http://www.skratchpiklz.com.
|
 |
|
|
