It’s also still widely regarded as one of the most valuable skills a DJ can have.

Scratching originated during the emergence of hip hop music in the 70s and is still primarily associated with the genre. The DJ will also be using a crossfader on a DJ mixer to cut between two records simultaneously. To put it simply, scratching is a technique where the DJ/Turntablist moves a record back and fourth on a turntable in order to produce the unique sounds and effects that we call scratching. In this article, we cover the history of scratching, why EVERY DJ should learn to scratch, and some of the best tips to help you get started! Today, the artform of scratching is seemingly becoming lost thanks to the advancements of digital DJing. But how many DJs can prove themselves on the crossfader when it comes to being able to scratch? In the early days of hip-hop especially, you had to be able to manipulate vinyl like a god before you could even call yourself a DJ.

These days, every DJ knows how to push buttons, play music, and smash the beat-sync button.

Turntable scratching sound effects