Turntablists

Turntablists are musicians who use turntables and DJ mixers as musical instruments to create and manipulate sound. Instead of simply playing records, turntablists employ techniques like scratching, beat juggling, and sampling to produce original compositions and rhythmic patterns. Scratching involves moving a record back and forth under the stylus to create percussive sounds. Beat juggling is the art of manipulating two identical records on separate turntables to create complex rhythmic sequences and variations of beats. Turntablists often incorporate pre-recorded samples from various sources into their performances, further expanding their sonic palette.

The practice of turntablism emerged from early hip-hop culture, where DJs like Grandmaster Flash pioneered many of the foundational techniques. Over time, turntablism has evolved into a distinct art form, with practitioners pushing the boundaries of what is possible with turntables. Competitions such as the DMC World DJ Championships and the Red Bull Thre3style showcase the technical skill and creativity of turntablists from around the globe. Beyond hip-hop, turntablists have found applications in genres such as electronic music, avant-garde jazz, and experimental sound art. They are recognized for their innovative approach to music creation, transforming a playback device into a versatile instrument.