Grand Wizard Theodore
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Grand Wizard Theodore (real name Theodore Livingston), also known as GrandWizzard Theodore or DJ GrandWizzard Theodore, is an African American hip hop DJ. He is widely credited as the inventor of scratching.[1][2]
Theodore's brother, Mean Jean, was Theodore's mentor, and he began teaching him DJing before Theodore was even a teen. In addition to scratching, he achieved renown for his mastery of needle drops and other techniques which he invented or perfected. Theodore also apprenticed under Grandmaster Flash.[2]
In the 1980s, Theodore was a part of the band Grandwizard Theodore & the Fantastic Five. They released "Can I Get a Soul Clap" in 1980. He was also featured in the 1983 film Wild Style, as well as contributing to the film's soundtrack. He explains the origin of the scratch in the documentary film Scratch.[2]
Grand Wizzard Theodore Mixing style is still innovative as he does not do just simple baby scratches and cuts like most old school DJs. His mix sets sound like extended DMC routiunes with all of the current up to date tricks and styles of music are used. This is unlike Grandmaster Flash or Kool Herc whos mixing style and music selection still sounds like what they used 30 years ago.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ David Dye. "NPR: The Birth of Rap: A Look Back", NPR, February 22, 2007.
- ^ a b c d Steve Huey. Grand Wizard Theodore. All Music Guide.
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