What is your earliest memory of a DMC Mixing Final?
“I’ve always been an avid fan of DJing so although I never witnessed the very first DMC competition back in 1985, I was very aware of the first winner Roger Johnson!”
How did you decide on your own name as a Turntablist artist?
“The original pioneers of this amazing art form all had dynamic titles like Grandmaster, Grandwizard or Grandmixer – but I only heard of one Cutmaster, he was from Brooklyn and titled Cutmaster DC and since I had already adopted the name Swift from my B-Boy idol Prince Ken Swift ‘Rocksteady Crew’, I married the two together…Cutmaster Swift was born. However, because of my popularity at that time as a B-Boy, a lot of people took a dislike to the name and thought it wasn’t appropriate for a B-Boy!”
Who is the best technical Turntablist of all time?
“As technical goes, people will rather say Q-Bert, I rather focus more on his musical attributes though.”
Please list the most important five records that you have ever used as a Turntablist.
This is real tough one, but as a party DJ spinning over twenty years I’m still safe with these…
A Tribe Called Quest – ‘Low End Theory’
Public Enemy – ‘It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back’
Michael Jackson – ‘Off The Wall’/’Thriller’
Robert Nester Marley – ‘Legends’/’Exodus’
James Brown – ‘I’m Black And I’m Proud’
And also, what track that when you hear up on stage spun by a rival, do you always think, ‘oh god not that again’
“That decision would only be based on how bad the DJ or Turntablist was at handling that record, the sample ‘Ahh & Fresh’ as a example to this very day is still very popular as it’s the easiest way to see how great that person truly is.”
What has been your best ever display on the wheels of steel?
“Good question. There’s been a few but I will mention just two and they are of course DMC ones! In ’88 I was invited to the DMC Holland Seminar and the set I performed had such a great impact that it even stole the show from the current reigning DMC World Champion Cash Money! The second was in my first title defence as the UK Champion in the 1989 UK Final, which shows me performing many of the foundation techniques like Lyric Cuttin’, Beat Juggling and of course a victory dance…”
What is going through your mind as you are waiting to step up on the biggest stage of your life moments before you hit the stage?
“To this very day the same – nerves, excitement, and anguish!”
Who in your opinion, has been the best ever DMC Champ we have ever had?
“It can only be – Craze, three times world champion – that is crazy.
Best Hip Hop record ever made?
“I feel like a parent choosing a favorite child. For me, Hip Hop reached it’s peak musically, lyrically and culture wise in the early ’90s and hasn’t really had such a impact on me again since.”
Which one Turntablist over the years has performed the ‘one piece’ of magic in his set that you simply had to look away in absolute disbelief?
“I believe the US champ Precision’s vinyl manipulations with original records in the 2007 World Finals is still misunderstood today!”
How many weeks/months before the big night do you start planning your set?
“Three months, maybe less. I was fortunate to always be performing at some underground Hip Hop event so I had already created and crafted plenty of sets. If I got the musical choice wrong in those days, my audience would let me know so I learned to play smart and apply the exact same techniques to more familiar tunes.”
How many records do you own?
“My collection of music is a taste of all different genres, Hip Hop taught me to never have a biased opinion on music styles, maybe that’s why it influences most music forms today. Honestly though, I stopped counting after my 100th crate – I could say I own twenty thousand records but who cares if you think half of them could be crap! I do know I’ve got some out on loan so if anyone out there have got any of my records – I haven’t forgotten!”
What did your parents think back in the day of your chosen career profession?
“My Dad gave me my very first gramophone, the original multimedia centre!. He used to build speakers for a sound system, so music hit me from a very early age. DJing was a hobby and my mother wanted me to get a real job as I dedicated all my time to it, I rarely left the house especially when I got good and drove her crazy with the hours of repetitive practising. It wasn’t until I entered and won the DMC UK Final in ’88 to prove, officially, I was the best in the UK that my parents realised that I may have a future in this profession.”
The DMC World Mixing Finals are 25 years young/old this year – how do you think the art of this craft has changed over the years?
“It’s constantly evolving, there’s new scratches and vinyl manipulations being developed as we speak. But let’s not forget the equipment side, from the needles that appear to be less brutal to records that are also now specially crafted by the competing Turnatblists – so there’s a lot more vinyl interaction going on. Mixers have also advanced in so many ways too, but I’m glad there’s still one original item still there holding it’s ground from day one and that’s the Technics turntable!”
How did winning the DMC title change your life?
“Winning the DMC World Title not only allowed me to be acknowledged Internationally, but showed me how music truly can breakdown barriers and stereotypes. I never imagined in my lifetime I was going to have the opportunity to visit so many places in the world from doing something I loved, especially in the non English speaking countries. I’ve seen some real thug looking guys step up to me and give nothing but love – this is a true test of music power. Often, I’m mistakenly taken for an American, which I’m proud to correct by saying “No I’m Black British!”
Great answer Swifty. What country/city that you have visited after winning the DMC title has really blown your mind?
I’ve truly enjoyed everywhere I’ve been and had some hair-raising experiences in places like Egypt which was a surreal feeling. Looking at the Pyramids and thinking to myself – I’m really in the motherland!?! I just never imagined ever being in that part of the World!”
What one Turntablist would you choose from 1985 to the present day – any category – would you like to battle against?
“Good question Dan. However, you know me well enough to know that I would never single out an individual to battle unless it was personal! So it’s all or nothing, bring it on!!!”
Can you breakdance?
“Of course especially when there’s £5000 and a gold turntable attached as a prize!”
And finally, please give DMC a message of love for pioneering this amazing artform we have…
“I thank and salute DMC for giving us Turntablists a world platform that keeps us spinning to infinity & beyond, I consider myself very fortunate to have become part of this elite growing family of champions!”