A must-see documentary for not only hip hop enthusiasts, but appreciators of music in general. It'll open your eyes to a part of the culture that you may have never realized was so significant. I wouldn't call myself a "hip hop enthusiast", aside from my love for the Beastie Boys, which obviously doesn't even scratch the surface (hah. scratch the surface). Now, I definitely wouldn't mind being one. A turntable is as much of an instrument as a guitar.

Form imitates content. 

If the question you’re askin’ 
is “do you like scratchin’?”
the answer’s surely “yes.”
‘Cuz to move your feet 
when you feel that beat
is to know you’re kickin’ it to the best! 

* Could probably shave 10 - 15 minutes off the ass-end of this doc, but otherwise... golden. ✨

Craziest sounds I’ve heard come out of an instrument since the kazoo

A fascinating cross-section of a subculture many people might not be aware of: DJ'ing and "turntablism." The documentary does a perfect job of interspersing interviews with DJ'ing legends, all while putting a hip-hop soundtrack behind it. It both tells AND shows the history of scratch DJ'ing.

Scratch examines the philosophy of DJ'ing, in addition to the art itself. It explores technique, innovations, styles. It's incredible how diverse the DJ community is, with battlers, beat-jugglers, party-rockers, avant-garde DJs, showmen, and experimentalists.

The DJ community also appears to be incredibly supportive, with no beef between the crate-diggers and the heavy-scratch DJs. It's a grassroots approach: everyone was influenced (either directly or indirectly) by Herbie Hancock's "Rockit," no one is famous outside hip hoppers.

The racial and stylistic diversity is a celebration (one might call it a lionization) of this subculture. And the skill with which the players scratch records continues to amaze me.

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

I'll probably be nodding my head to the music playing in my head for the rest of the day.

pretty good documentary.

Just very interesting to hear the beginnings of turntablism and hip-hop DJs from some of it's pioneers. It's crazy how much information this documentary packs into 92 mins. Some immersive moments with the observational live footage of the DJs and the interviews definitely filled up some of the gaps.

Loved the whole vibe of this documentary in terms of it's style. The 16mm camerawork definitely had a gritty and tactile feel that complemented the content. The editing of the film definitely felt appropriate for the film, especially with the equally great music that made the documentary just so entertaining and infectious.

Overall, a solid documentary that was pretty illuminating in it's content. Definitely need to delve more into the artists featured on here.

A historic documentary that not only managed to capture a very unique moment in hip-hop from the inside, it was also a movement that would shape the modern mainstream DJing.

Scratch is a journey though hip hop as told by DJs. It's warm and inviting enough that I'm almost nostalgic for its grainy 90s video quality.

Good overview of DJ culture. Does a nice job showing the appeal and what constitutes the life. I’ve been out of it for so long that I don’t know if turntabling still has the same appeal, but if not, it also works as a vivid historical document.

1 of the 5 elements summariesed nicely

revelatory

This is still so good. Now I have to try and find a recording of that DJ Krush set because that was beautiful.

Essential viewing for any fan of hip hop, but also probably should be watched by anyone who loves music or stories of subcultures. Mix Master Mike's flip of that Robert Johnson tune is reason enough to watch it, if you ask me.

Craziest sounds I’ve heard come out of an instrument since the kazoo

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

It's hard to be sure since I've been interested in the culture for decades but I think this documentary does a great job of educating those who don't know while entertaining those who do. It's both informative and a love letter to a misunderstood musical culture. As much as a fan as I was at the time, it still managed to open my eyes to the musicianship involved in turntablism.

I'll probably be nodding my head to the music playing in my head for the rest of the day.

Documentary on the art of scratching in hip-hop which I thought I would like. Sadly, it's for die-hards only.

another quintessential hip hop documentary that shows the art and skill of scratch DJ's and how incredibly weird they all are. huge respect to the big names featured in this.

pretty good documentary.

Just very interesting to hear the beginnings of turntablism and hip-hop DJs from some of it's pioneers. It's crazy how much information this documentary packs into 92 mins. Some immersive moments with the observational live footage of the DJs and the interviews definitely filled up some of the gaps.

Loved the whole vibe of this documentary in terms of it's style. The 16mm camerawork definitely had a gritty and tactile feel that complemented the content. The editing of the film definitely felt appropriate for the film, especially with the equally great music that made the documentary just so entertaining and infectious.

Overall, a solid documentary that was pretty illuminating in it's content. Definitely need to delve more into the artists featured on here.