by DJ Rob Swift | May 21, 2026 | Blog & Events
Information spreads fast these days, and as DJ instructors, whether you teach scratching, beat juggling, or other DJ techniques, forgetting to mention where these skills come from can mean their origins get overlooked. Giving props isn’t just polite; it helps protect...
by DJ Rob Swift | Apr 16, 2026 | Blog & Events
Today, Hip-Hop is caught between two opposing movements. One is the original movement recognized by day-one Hip-Hop heads, originating in the marginalized Bronx community in NYC. This community of ghetto youth developed a unique, thorough, and resourceful ethos,...
by DJ Rob Swift | Jan 9, 2026 | Uncategorised
You can debate the positive effects social media has had on the spread of Turntablism and the broader culture of DJing within Hip-Hop, but before Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, TV was the platform where legends of the field took to spread our culture. Read...
by DJ Rob Swift | Aug 3, 2025 | Blog & Events
It’s no secret that the skill, technique, and creativity from the likes of Grandmixer D.St., Whiz Kid, Mix Master Ice, Jazzy Jay, Jam Master Jay, The Magnificent Jazzy Jeff, and Cash Money runs deep in the ’80s. The music catalog from the aforementioned DJs...
by DJ Rob Swift | Jul 25, 2025 | Uncategorised
The Civil War: Battle for Supremacy is the largest tournament at our school. It’s an opportunity for students to present and showcase how hard they’ve worked in all phases of DJing (music curation, mixing, scratching, juggling, and body tricks) throughout...
by DJ Rob Swift | Apr 3, 2025 | Uncategorised
I’m excited to share that I am the featured guest on this week’s episode of the Road Podcast. Hosted by DJ Crooked and co-host DJ GoldFinger, I discussed with them the inspiration behind my latest book, The City of Hip-Hop: New York City, The Bronx, and A...
by DJ Rob Swift | Mar 5, 2025 | Uncategorised
Do You Know These 5 Trailblazing Female DJs? While DJ enthusiasts often highlight the male pioneers of the craft, it’s essential to shine a spotlight on the incredible women who have broken down gender barriers in the world of DJing. In celebration of Women’s...
by DJ Rob Swift | Feb 9, 2025 | Uncategorised
The current DJing landscape is polluted by grifting, with many operating with impunity. The increasing reliance on AI for basic DJ tasks is eroding the cultural integrity of this art form. While some may argue that as long as a DJ keeps the crowd happy and dancing,...
by DJ Rob Swift | Jan 16, 2025 | Uncategorised
TikTok has a massive user base, and as a result, it has turned the music industry upside down. As one of the most influential social media platforms to reshape how music is discovered, consumed, and popularized, the app has influenced how artists make the music their...
by DJ Rob Swift | Jan 3, 2025 | Uncategorised
Brolic Army student DJ Crobar introduced me to a new word this week: Shokunin. Shokunin is a Japanese word that translates to “craftsman” or “artisan” in English. Shokunins are passionate about their craft and approach it with a deep sense of respect, morality, and...
