More about Turntablism
Turntablism is the art of creating music by using vinyl turntables as fully-fledged instruments, far beyond their basic playback function. Born in the Bronx, New York, in the mid-1970s within the effervescent early hip-hop scene, the art form owes its foundations to pioneers such as Kool Herc — inventor of the isolated break — Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa. It was at Bronx block parties that these DJs developed unprecedented techniques: scratching, back-spinning, and juggling, which transformed the turntable into an instrument of percussion and melody. The term "turntablism" itself was coined in the 1990s by DJ Babu to distinguish this art from simple club DJing, though it shares its roots with the broader world of electronic music.
Technically, turntablism relies on a precise arsenal of gestures: the scratch (rubbing vinyl against the needle to produce percussive or melodic sounds), the mix (smooth transitions between tracks), juggling (simultaneous manipulation of two identical records to create rhythmic patterns), and beat juggling. These techniques demand fine motor precision and a highly developed musical ear, bringing the turntablist close to the jazz musician in their relationship to improvisation and instrumental mastery. The genre shares a common DNA with hip-hop culture while distinguishing itself through its focus on sound manipulation rather than lyrics or melody.
On the contemporary festival circuit, two figures dominate the turntablism landscape. A-Trak, a DMC world champion at just 15 years old, has transcended the battle world to become a central figure on the global electronic scene, blending virtuoso turntablism with house DJ sets. KID KOALA represents the most artistic and narrative approach to the genre, constructing coherent, poetic sonic worlds from carefully curated vinyl samples.
Discover 3 turntablism festivals on FestT. If DJ culture and the art of sound manipulation fascinate you, also explore related genres such as bass music and the broader electronic music scene in all its forms on our platform.