As promised here is part two of Diamond D’s set at London’s ‘Size Doesn’t Matter’ event. It was a lesson on how to cut 45’s. For those familiar in the origins of hip hop culture will already know that the DJ played the most important role in it’s early days. From Herc, Flash, Bam came the Theodore’s, the Africa Islam’s the Charlie Chase’s, DXT and the Jazzy Jays just to name a few who took the art of Djing to another level. Cutting doubles became the norm. Diamond D was inspired by those Dj’s. Young and inspired he became a beat digger aged around 9 years old, Djing on the block at aged 11. For those brought up in the 80’s sounds normal. I remember being a child practicing breaking. It was the time. This music, this culture came here and like a swarm of bee’s engulfed this nation, everyone was in it someway or form. So for someone such as Diamond who was living brought up in mecca New York this was his everyday and watching him perform it shows.
The art of cutting doubles; taking two copies of the same record and cutting from one record to the next keeping a loop going of such sounds as a drum break or groove. Described as the peak point of the record that people dancing responded most too. The segment that M.C’s could rhyme over and rock the crowd. Diamond D is one of the masters of this. I won’t lie I came home and started practicing myself. I’m sure after watching this you will also feel inspired. If the video above is not enough, maybe the special bonus video from my personal vault below may seal the deal. This is the first time I shot Diamond D doing his DJ showcase in the UK from many years ago. Enjoy. For you UK enquires regarding Diamond D, Jazzy Jay and Break Beat Lou Feel free to Hit me up. Break Beat Lou will be here in the UK over the month of August.
I would like to thank DJ and Artist/Photographer Bunny Bread for the shots used in this article. Also got to give props to the Milkcrate Kid, I don’t know who you are but you always posting my stuff up.