Bling Tonight, Yugong Tomorrow: Win Tickets For Qbert

In the world of the DJ, Qbert is a household name – literally. After winning the DMC world title three consecutive years in a row (alongside Beastie Boys’ Mix Master Mike) back in the early ’90s, he started Thud Rumble, the company through which he brands his music, ideas and innovative DJ inventions (for instance, the QFO – a solar-powered turntable and mixer hybrid machine).
As of late, Qbert's been working on a new album to go with a new movie, as well as getting things set up with his online scratch school, www.qbertskratchuniversity.com.
This week he's visiting Beijing for the second time in three years; ahead of his trip, he gave tbj a breakdown of his vision, the philosophy behind his music, and what he would give for the holidays.

tbj: The last time you were in Beijing was way back in December 2007 (a follow up trip in December 2008 was unfortunately canceled). Have any fond memories of that first trip?
DJ Qbert: It was a great, lifetime goal of mine to walk on the Great Wall of China! Especially since my grandfather is [Chinese]! The wall is sooo big … that was a great exercise … haha! The people of Beijing are so beautiful and it was so fun to see that there were many people that understood the crazy music I played ... so many real hip-hop heads!

tbj: You're not the type of DJ to come out with albums every year, but instead seem to invest your time trying to innovate with different products and workshops.
Qbert: Well, I'm the kind of person who has too many ideas to make the world a better place. I love to make music for video games, movies and film. I'm also heavily involved in teaching. I also like to design DJ equipment and provide sound effects and beats for other DJs. But right now I'm mostly working on another movie like my first one, Wave Twisters.
My philosophy is to always use my time on this planet to inspire others to make the world a better place with all that they do. Everyone is a unique expression of the universe's infinite power and beauty. When we realize that we are part of that energy of God, then we use it to flow through us and always spread the love to one another. But in reality, we are all one without knowing it.

tbj: www.qbertskratchuniversity.com is your newest venture. Can you talk about how this online "Skratch University" came into being?
Qbert: I spend a lot of time with my online students at the school! There are always new beats to download, many new scratches to learn and new students always coming in with fresh new ideas. It's a great place to learn – I feel I am also a student too! There are already hundreds of students and it's almost reaching half a year of being open.

tbj: Do you feel there is a void in terms of cultivating DJs? Is that why you invest so much energy in projects like DVD tutorials and the online university?
Qbert: There are many kinds of DJs, but the kind I am dealing with and that is my passion is the scratching DJ – the turntablist. We love to make experimental music and play the turntable like a musical instrument ... it's a very beautiful art, especially when you hear it from great scratchers! It's also raw from the streets like break dancing and graffiti ... spiritual street arts with no rules, but original and fresh! Great music is always being created everywhere from scratch DJs!

tbj: What are your thoughts on the death of vinyl? Do you believe true DJs need to crate dig, or are there now other ways, and if so, what are they?
Qbert: That's an illusion, just as is the recession. There is no death in vinyl in my world. Scratch DJs are always making wax, and if you are a real scratcher, vinyl is the most accurate. Of course it's dead in the commercial scene – been dead since the ’80s – but as you can see online (e.g. on YouTube), in the real, underground hip-hop world, vinyl is here to stay!

tbj: What are the three most important things a person needs to be a successful DJ?
Qbert: First, to know that giving is the ultimate happiness and selfishness is the ultimate evil. It's all karma and what comes around, goes around. Just be patient, and in time you will be rewarded for your efforts. Second, passion for the art and to have fun creating, studying and experimenting. Third, be yourself and be original – make up your own rules.

tbj: What Thud Rumble product would you recommend as the perfect holiday stocking stuffer?
Qbert: The new "Super Seal 3D" – great for skratch DJs because of all the sounds to scratch … and the raw graffiti cover comes with 3D glasses! Or, if you like B-boy breakdancing beats, check out Breaktionary or Demolition Pumpkin Squeeze Muzik. If you want videos, check out any of our “Turntable TV” DVDs. Or, if you are a nerdy DJ like me, Scratchlopedia is a dictionary of scratch techniques. If you’re a beginner scratch DJ, then get Do it Yourself Skratching, Vol. 1. You can find all these at www.djqbert.com.

tbj: What's the next step for DJ Qbert? What can we expect from him in 2010?
Qbert: Right now, as always, I'm continuing to create new music and scratching all the time … bringing it all together for my new album and movie!

tbj: Have any New Year's resolutions?
Qbert: To give and teach more.

Catch Qbert scratching it up at Bling on Dec 9 (RMB 50, 9pm) and Yugong Yishan on Dec 10 (RMB 80, RMB 50 [advance], 9pm).

Want to go? We've got three pairs of tickets for Qbert's show at Yugong Yishan, and two pairs for the show at Bling, to give away - just answer the following question:
Where did Qbert play the last time he visited Beijing?
Send your answers to iainshaw@thebeijinger.com