DJ Ragz knows his stuff. An accomplished turntablist with over 20 years of experience scratching and making beats, Ragz has represented underground hip hop on both coasts, and continues to do so at full force. From teaching classes at NoVA DJ school The Beat Refinery to holding his own in online DJ battles pitting him against talent from around the world, DJ Ragz stays on his grind and proves that he deserves every bit of the acclaim he's received over the years. As part of Jazz Addixx, along with MCs MUDD and UnOwn, he's opened for artists like Busta Rhymes, Black Star, Company Flow, and Mobb Deep. As a solo artist, he's competed in high profile DJ battles, including Scribble Jam. We spoke to him recently on the occasion of his entry into the 2013 DMC Online DJ Championships.
How long have you been DJing?
I started DJ'n in 1989 when I was 16. I learned in Sacramento California with a high school buddy that I still keep in contact with.
What was it that initially drew you toward turntablism?
The movie Beat Street came out and I knew that one day I would learn to scratch. My mom took me to see the movie and it was a game changing day for me. So much culture was introduced to me. When I got my setup I never worked on mixing, I just wanted to scratch. When Babu coined the term "turntablism" I wasnt sure if I was considered a "turntabist" until some buddies started calling me one.
You're quite accomplished. As a matter of fact, you competed at Scribble Jam '98. That was a golden year that brought out hip hop legends. What was that like?
Starting at the time I did was epic. I am a DJ instructor, and in my head I think back to times like Scribble Jam and feel for the younger generation that they didn't get to witness how exciting that time was. I will never forget any of the battles from the 90s. The crowds, the DJs, and the stars that would come out to see the battles--it just doesnt happen like that anymore. Just to give you an example, in 1996 I was in a battle at Howard University called "The Cultural Initiative Battle," and Mary J. Blige was just hanging out backstage with us, asking us if we were nervous while Showbiz and AG hosted the event. 1997 West coast DMC was a similar scenario--Alkoholiks, [Invisibl] Skratch Piklz, Shock G [of Digital Underground], just to name a few, just there watching the battle. Scribble Jam was really special because that was right before Atmosphere took off and they were handing out their singles to us to get some exposure. Don't get me wrong, I am loving what some of these younger guys are doing, and battles are starting to come back, but its like comparing Kobe to Jordan. There is only one Jordan. You can't compare when things happen for the first time.
Speaking of competitions, you've placed with some the best DJs in the world. What was your most memorable moment competing against some of those DJs?
I was in a battle and I made it to the finals and I had to battle head to head against DJ LS1, who was the DJ for Onyx, and later for DMX. He beat me, but he left his records at the event. I put them in my bag and I saw him a year later and handed him his records. Let's fast forward a year from that time I gave him back his records. I was at the NYC DMC and I couldn't get my needles working right away. I drove all that way and DJ Red Alert wanted to move onto the next DJ. LS1 and his younger brother DJ Dummy (DJ for Common and J. Cole) remembered what I did and they were good friends with Red Alert, so they told DJ Red Alert to give me the time I needed until I could do my set. That's a classic example of how big but yet how small the DJ scene really is. I have many other great moments. But this story is a symbol of what the culture was to me. When you're on stage you battle hard, but when you're done you treat each other with ultimate respect.
Any specific DJs in the DMC online competition who intimidate you, slightly?
Of course. I am game to battle anyone, though. It's all in fun and it's what keeps me motivated to practice and get better. Being older, my view has changed. If I can hype the crowd and personally enjoy how my set came out, that's all that matters. DJ Craze, I have battled him years ago at BET Studios and I remember watching him in amazement. DJ Idee is another DJ that I have seen grow into an amazing talent. The list can go on and on, to be honest.
Is their like a triple-lindy type turntable trick? If so, have you ever pulled it off?
You know, I can be real with you. I am not the most technical battle DJ out there, and there are tons of tricks that I would love to get and still work on getting. I am known for doing really fast clean Chrips and Chirp Flares so I kind of focus on that until the other stuff comes along. I train all the time on new stuff, and I want to continue to learn. This is my first year battling in seven years and I have to tell you, It has been an absolute blast to get back into the art of battling.
An online DJ battle seems a bit impersonal, like the sport is going the wrong direction. What are your thoughts on that?
You are so correct. The online battle will never be as good as having a crowd to battle in front of. The online battle is cool though, because you get to see more people doing different things from all over the world. I try not to compare the two. I consider them two different animals.
I've been waiting on the new Jazz Addixx project to drop for over a year. What's the prognosis?
Oh man. We have the songs picked out. Three more songs to master and it's done. I really apologize to everyone for the wait. We just want to make sure we give you our best foot forward! The Jazz Addixx is one of the best things I have ever been a part of in my life. Big up to MUDD and UnOwn. JAZZ ADDIXX!!!!!!!
In your opinion, what's the greatest battle record of all time?
The three Bare Bones Battle Breaks that I put out back in the day... I am kidding. My personal fave battle record is by Dirt Style Records called Gag Ball Breaks. Amazing record.
How much do you miss Richmond when you're not here?
Let me tell you about Richmond. I love Richmond. In the late 90s I used to do a lot of stuff with Pure Love. I won the Pure Love DJ Battle at the Nanci Raygun. In the early 2000's it was Lion Paw Records, and now the place I love, good ole Plan 9! I need to get with MUDD and we need to make a digging mission happen soon. The U of R radio shows were epic. We would always love coming to Richmond, and still do. Richmond has been very good to me and I am greatful. Much love, Richmond. Peace.