By:  M4Crew
Source:  http://www.mighty4.com/m4/?page_id=5

This man right here is a huge influence and inspiration to me:


Shortkut, 27, Daly City, began DJing 1986 

Representing: Beat Junkie Sound, Triple Threat Dj’s, original Invisibl Skratch Piklz

Whatup Shortkut. How’d you get into DJing?

Just being into hip hop, I use to bboy back in the early 80’s and bought records at the same time. Just tryin to copy what I heard on records…broke a couple of my dad’s needles on his turntables. But the Bay Area mobile dj scene of the 80’s got me into it.

What was the scene like when you first got started, and how has it evolved since then?

Back then, the dj battles would run Jamaican style. Think of 3 or more soundsystem crews in one hall or hotel ballroom. Every crew would have their own set-up of lighting, countless speakerboxes and a main dj who would represent the crew with a special lined up mix of the illest tunes at the time , and how creative they’d mix it. At the end, the crowd would determine the winner. Unfortunately, that scene is long gone and it’s something I miss about the dj culture. It’s a part of the scene of the Bay Area that never got to evolve.

What do you currently think of the Battle scene or just the state of DJing in general here in North America?

The battle scene is always fresh with new hungry cats ready to make it to Europe to battle for the world championship. I’m happy to see how it’s elevated and where it’s gone over the years. I hope to see more dj’s look towards diggin for breaks to rearrange rather than just rely on the battle records. I feel that’s another lost part about being a “dj” nowadays. it’s all good to focus on one part, but a plus to know the history and be open minded to other genres of music.

“Many Styles” (cop that shit people!) for those who havent heard it was probly the illest shit i’ve heard in a long time. What tracks on there have the most meaning to you?

I like the dj songs especially because it’s another style of dj music that i feel hasnt really been explored yet. A big influence on us are the Bomb Squad who produced the first 2 Public Enemy albums. And that was early scratch music to me just by the way the composed it with scratching. One deep song to me is Apollo’s production on “Tru Brothaz”. Listen to the lyrics and if you know, you know.

What have you been up to lately?

I’ve been working on a bunch of projects. I finished a mixtape for Trojan Records in the UK (a classic reggae label) called “Blunted with a Beat Junkie” 
which has a lot of breaks and classic tunes..Rekonstrukted Elements is another project i’ve made years ago and never put out officially till now thru Beat Junkie Sound. It’s a mix of original breaks,samples and breakbeats which I plan to recreate live next year with other djs . Look for that show coming out to selected cities worldwide. And I’m about to go on tour with J-Rocc in the UK for 3 weeks to promote our mixtape”Knights of the Turntable” which has a lot of obscure classic hip hop.

Just recently you recieved an appreciation award at the Mighty 4 5th Year Anniversary for all of your DJ accomplishments and accolades. What does it feel like to come and get away from the regular gigs and enjoy some raw grass roots Hip Hop culture events like the Mighty 4?

Events like the Mighty 4 always brings me back to how I got into this culture and how its evolved. It’s weird nowadays for hip hop djs especially spinning in clubs on the reg. With the current pop-hop & radio playlists , it’s hard to play grassroots/classic hip hop and the joints you feel to the new generation of folks who’ve never heard any of that. In this day where music TV doesnt focus much on the true original elements of hip-hop, I feel it’s important that events like Mighty 4 take place so the youth know that the culture is alive and well even though it isnt well represented on the mainstream.

What were some things about the infamous “Beat Lounge” @ club deco that you miss or dont miss?

I miss everything about the Beat Lounge. There will NEVER be a vibe like the club Deco days. A basement where you could play your record collection to folks and have everyone vibe out to your selection and skills, and upstairs where you can get your dance on. It was like the “Cheers” for folks in the bay. You knew to come to Deco every Tuesday and the word spread worldwide. I give it up to DJ Apollo and our girl Tomoko for starting that up and providing myself, Derrick D, and a bunch of the Bay’s illest selectors a place for us to call home and showcase our sh-t.

Your personal preference: Indoe OR Outdoe?

Indoor-gotta have AC while I spin 


outdoor- if it aint windy-blows my records right off the tables.

(I meant that “killa kali” short =\ hhahaha)

Do you feel that since Triple Threat and since its conception, it has helped get more kids to find out (or at least try to find out) what it really means to be a DJ, rather then carrying a crateful of skratch battle records?

We hope so. Triple Threat Dj’s original goal was to bring back the element of selection and to play for the crowd while busting skills. We all came from the skratch/battle scene so we knew what was to be expected during those kind of shows. But after performing as much as we did all over the world, we knew some people at our shows didn’t know too much about skratch performances, let alone hip-hop music. So we all talked during the Beat Lounge days and thought it would be dope to do an all-around show where we could play tunes that people knew and havent heard before, while adding what we were known for instead of a straight skratch performance which sometimes go over peoples heads. This way, everyone gets to enjoy themselves and not just the hardcore. Hopefully, others will follow our path.

Any final comments for the peeps out there?

Much love to all those who’ve supported me and my crews through out the years. Like I said during the Mighty 4 award ceremony, yall keep my thing goin. Big up to Paulskee and the Mighty 4 for makin a brotha feel appreciated. RESPECT to all!!

Peep out:
www.djshortkut.com
www.beatjunkies.com
www.triplethreatdj.com