During Hip-Hop's 30yr+ history, few names have become as well known to music lovers across the globe as that of DJ Grandmaster Flash. Not only is he one of the three pioneers responsible for the musical genre called Hip-Hop, but his use of the turntables made him the first dj to play the turntables as a musical instrument, thus helping to elevate the status of the dj to a masterful, artistic position. He is also responsible for assembling one of the earliest and greatest rap groups of all time - The Furious Five. These are some of the hallmarks of a career which has extended from the Bronx in the early 1970s to all corners of the globe into the 21st Century.
Of Bajan decent, Joseph Saddler, professionally known as "DJ Grandmaster Flash", was born and raised in the Boogie Down Bronx. It was the area's streets and nightlife that provided his inspirations. He developed his first crush on vinyl when he was just a boy playing with his father's records. By the time he was a teenager he was studying electronics and engineering in school, and spinning records at block parties and public parks.
By 1971, Flash was inventing and demonstrating innovative dj techniques with turntables in response to his many observations at parties, and of other djs, thus later claiming the turntables to be an instrument.. The invention and technique of djing that Flash displayed and changed the way djs played forever was “Cuttinâ€. This is when the dj literally places their hand on the embodiment of the vinyl, or middle section of the record, and proceed to move or rub the material in a backward or forward motion in conjunction with their fingers on the dj mixer in a left to right, or right to left lateral movement. "The Quick Mix Theory", one of the "Cuttin" techniques, is using duplicate copies of a vinyl record and scientifically and percussively rearranging the arrangement of the music and extending the break parts of songs. The "Clock Theory", another technique, allowed Flash to find the break of a recorded song quickly by eye, and chooses to repeat or percussify an element or fragment of a sound by, once again, moving the disc in a backward & forward motion while using 2 turntables, a mixer, and duplicate copies of a song, and proceeds to physically spin the vinyl in a counter clockwise direction to arrive or re-arrive with pinpoint accuracy to a chosen area that is marked or taped by magic-marker, crayon, or sticker. This manual display of taking a song apart and rearranging its structure live contributed to the early development and rise of the DJ as a remixer, artist, and producer.
In the late 70's, Flash took his inventions to another level, by recruiting emcee's to rap over his music. The unity later became worldly known as "Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five". Their reputation grew around Flash’s unrivaled DJ skills and the group’s blending and trading off lyrics. Flash also gained notice for the visually dynamic and acrobatic way he could spin and cut records using his feet, toes and elbows. Blondie immortalized Flash in the 1980 hit "Rapture": "Flash is fast, Flash is cool!" And, in 1981, Grandmaster Flash recorded "The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash On The Wheels Of Steel", which was the first record to feature complex cutting.
From the 80's to the present, Flash has recorded many albums, produced numerous hits, performed so many shows, and has been recognized and awarded worldwide as Hip-Hop went from something that was thought to be a fad to being music's biggest genre and business. BET honored him with the first ever Hip Hop Icon Award in 2006. In March '07, Grandmaster Flash was the first dj to ever be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. Right now, he is still touring worldwide; has endorsed the new digital dj product called "Traktor Scratch" by Native Instruments; working on a new album to be released in Fall '08 entitled: "The Bridge", on Adrenaline City Ent.; completed a book on his memoirs entitled: "The Adventures Of Grandmaster Flash: My Life My Beats", released June 10, 2008; and broadcasts every Saturday night with "The Flash Mash Show" on Sirius Satellite Radio, Ch.50 - Hot Jams, 5pm-8pm ET, which also includes special guest djs.When you read the book, you will know that according to Flash.........the beat don't stop.
