Made From Skratch

George Harvey, better known as DJ Skratch, embarked the "music train" at an early age. Watching his mother move to the groove of music greats like BB King, Al Green, Denise Williams, GQ, BT Express, Fleetwood Mac and the Crusaders. This set the stage for his signature Funk-Rap that he produces today. He has worked with the best in the business, and has also had his share of run-ins with certain people in the industry but, that has not slowed him dowm. Born in a remote area somewhere in this "crazy" world. Skratch, and his family moved to the city of Watts Calif. Growing up for Skratch was not easy, in fact it was very very hard, his mother worked two jobs just to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads. Six people in a one bedroom apartment was crazy, But somehow his Mom made it work. By age 15, Skratch was behind the turntables Dee Jaying, Jr. High and High School dances for $50 a dance. Skratch joined a local DJ crew, called the LA Jam Crew. Which consisted of a group of guys that he went to school with. Skratch attended Markhem Jr. High School. He then went on to attend Jordan High School. Both located in the city of Watts. Skratch was "discovered" at a local Jr. High School dance, by members of the now defunct but Legenday local radio station KDAY. Members of Uncle Jams Army, and Master of the 12s, where present as well as the station's DJ's. Most notably Russ Parr AKA Bobby Jimmy. Mr. Parr decided to have a DJ Battle. There were about 25 DJ's that tried out. But when it was finish, there were only 3 DJ's standing. DJ Skratch, DJ Battle Cat, and DJ Aladdin. This kid Aladdin, was some serious competition. Although Skratch was only about 12 or 13 years old at the time. He was very impressive. Although Skratch did not win that particular competition, Program and Radio director Rory Krofman and Lisa Cannon of KDAY recognized the talents of Skratch. Flash forward to 1988, Skratch helped propel female rap group JJ Fad to platinum status. DJ Train (RIP) was the DJ for the group at the time. At that point,Train turned Skratch onto a girl group called GBM, for which he became their DJ. This was a group that was sign to Eazy E's (RIP) record label. Success however didn't stop Skratch from DeeJaying. Rory Krofman from KDAY entered Skratch in a DMC DJ Battle in Japan, a battle that draws the best DJ's from all over the world. Skratch won first place (no surprise there). He entered again, and again won first place. He came in second place of the Vestex DJ Battle in San Jose, California. He was beat by his old buddy DJ Aladdin. By that time, Skratch's reputation as a DJ was well established. Skratch and his family moved to Compton Calif. He lived next door to one of his homeboys by the name of (Joe Cooley) Joe was labled one of the best DJ's on the WestCoast, along with DJ Aladdin, Battle Cat, Tony G, M. Walk, Bobcat, and The Egyptian Lover. There were many others. At the time Joe was in the hottest group on the Westcoast. Rodney O and Joe Cooley. General Jeff was Rodney's O hype man. By that time, Skratch had worked with artists such as. G Len & Rappin Granny, King Tee, Crazy Toones, Ice T, Doug E. Fresh, Scarface, Bloody Mary, Stan "The Guitar Man" Jones, Penthouse Players Clique, NWA, Craig Mack, 2nd II None, Ice Cube, K-Dee, and DV3. Just to name a few. In 1989 Skratch moved from Compton to the city of Lynwood. He was living the fast life of Gangs, Partys, and selling drugs. The fast life he was living, did not last for long. On Feb 7, 1989 the Lynwood Sheriff raided his 2 bedroom apartment, and he was sent to jail for selling drugs to a undercover cop. When Skratch was released from jail in 1991 his homeboys Second II None had just released there first album. That ignited a spark in him to get back into the music business. He went back to DeeJaying at various clubs, such as Club Canons, Peppers, and Club Jimmy's. From there, Skratch began working as an intern at a radio station called 92.3 The Beat. Where he assisted both Kevin James, and Mike Mann. While doing his stint at The Beat, he was recognized for his exceptional talents and given his own mix show called (The Old School Mix Show) hosted by Jessie Collins. There was a DJ at the station named DJ Jam who also had his own radio show for which Skratch produced the station remix of Montell Jordan's (This is how We Do It). Skratch was sharpening his production & rappin' skills, aiming to capture the world by surprise. In 1995 Skratch was hit with a terrible blow when Eric "Eazy E" Wright died from Aids. Skratch took Eazy's death really hard. It made reevaluate his life. That was the year everybody in the hip hop world came together as one. In 1996 Skratch was the DJ for the group (The Mackadelics) After the CD (Exposed To The Game) was release. Skratch went on to produced a mix CD called (The Shiznet) together with his old friend DJ Aladdin, and sold more than 12,000 copies. In 1998 Skratch went to work on his first album (Futuristic Fonk for tha Millennium) giving people the opportunity to recognize him as a Producer, and a Rapper, not just as a DJ. The album was finished in 2002 and ready for a Summer 2003 release. The album incorporates the most exciting and smoothest production of fonk with some of the most sexual lyrics. While the lyrics are definitely daring, they are not insulting, but rather perceived as a turn on. Today DJ Skratch, together with Gerald Thompson, run their own Record and Production Company with six groups featuring R&B, Gospel and Rap. Soon to release off their label, Futuristic Fonk Records. This fall "Skratch" is ready to bring back true West Coast Fonk!