Invisibl Skratch Piklz & Friends | OutsideLands
The Invisibl Skratch Piklz are pioneers of the turntablist DJ movement which focused on the art of scratching which originated in the San Francisco Bay Area in the early 1990s. The group is composed of four influential members: Q Bert, Mixmaster Mike, D-Styles, Shortkut & DJ Apollo.
Q Bert is credited with creating the art and language of scratch techniques which are used in DJ culture around the world today. As a former world champion DJ, his accolades include being knighted “Grandmixer” by legendary pioneer GrandMixer DXT, and awarded “America’s Best DJ” in 2010. His first album, Wave Twisters was reverse engineered from sound into visuals also becoming his first feature film which was also selected into the Sundance Film Festival.
Mixmaster Mike is another world champion DJ who gained prominence as the DJ for the legendary hip-hop group, the Beastie Boys. Mike’s electrifying performances span across arenas and stadiums across the globe DJing for Cypress Hill, collaborations with drummer Travis Barker, and opening for the legendary Metallica. His ability to blend various musical genres have made him one of the most sought-after DJs in the world.
D-Styles is considered to be scratch music’s most influential musician. His approach differs from the highly technical, yet repetitive scratching that currently dominates the scene, in that it emphasizes musical composition and style. True to his name, he pioneered many different turntablist techniques, and gave the world “Phantazmagorea”, the first album created entirely from scratching.
Shortkut’s versatility as a DJ is known around the world. As a seasoned veteran in world DJ competitions and responsible for creating some of the most influential techniques & innovations to the turntablist culture, while maintaining dance floors internationally in music spanning countless genres at events such as The Boiler Room, Damian Marley’s Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise. He is currently scheduled to be the opening DJ on LL Cool J’s F.O.R.C.E tour touring the US this winter 2023.
Together, the Invisibl Skratch Piklz have reshaped the landscape of turntablism and DJ culture. Their groundbreaking performances, innovative scratching techniques, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of DJ artistry and music have inspired countless DJs and continue to leave a lasting impact on the world of music