Hip Hop Body
Tricks Tradition. One of the founding features of the hip-hop disc jockey was body tricks
and
showmanship.
These
theatrics were unique to hip-hop disc jockeys, which would seek to prove
who had the best skills when they ‘battled’. Tricks such as using the stomach
to move the cross fader while freeing both hands for vinyl work were standard.
These tricks were introduced as early as 1977 when hip-hop pioneers such
as Grandmaster Flash and Africa Bambaataa would battle at local dances
and in parks. Today hip-hop disc jockeys still try to outdo each other
and dazzle the crowd with their innovative tricks.
