In May 2003, DJs Deeandroid, Celskiii, Winst-Oner, and Amerriica organized a free Wednesday monthly, DJ-centered party, at Sublounge off Third Street in San Francisco. Skratchpad, was an idea Deeandroid & Celskiii were inspired to create as an ode to Deco’s Beat Lounge, a 1990s party in the Tenderloin district. Beat Lounge was a weekly Tuesday night party, organized by Derrick D., with a full roster of resident DJs that included, Shortkut, D-Styles, Qbert, Apollo, Disk, Snayk Eyez, Vinroc, Spyder Monkey AG, Ill Bill, 2xJo, Profo, amongst many. It was a point of inspiration for Dee & Cel, being exposed to great music (original samples & rare grooves) and DJ skills,—all in the grimey basement setting of Deco. Dee & Cel felt the need for something similar to happen once again in the Bay Area, feeling that the Hip Hop community was missing a unique night life party. Skratchpad’s mission: To help preserve Hip Hop culture and elevate the art of DJing, keeping the music, culture, & people connected.
Skratchpad at Sublounge had 2 floors, a bar upstairs where Deeandroid, Amerriica, Winst-Oner, Celskiii, and Jus Jones would rotate. The grimey basement, had that Beat Lounge feel but with three set ups; a main one for mixing instrumentals & playing original breaks, and two separate ones for the open Q & A sessions. After 3 years of Skratchpad @ Sublounge, a small community of DJs & music connoisseurs connected, becoming somewhat of a monthly meeting and get down.
In January 2006, Skratchpad was held at both Sublounge & at Azul, in conjunction with Distortion 2 Static’s Saturday monthly Love Movement party. Skratchpad hosted the open turntables session in the back room while D2S DJs ran the party at the bar. But in May 2006, Sublounge went under new ownership, ending Skratchpad as a monthly Wednesday. The party continued with Distortion 2 Static’s Love Movement until August 2006. Skratchpad was once again, in search of a new home.
In 2008, Bizibeatz helped connect Skratchpad to The Cellar. So after the 2 & 1/2 year break, Skratchpad was revived in May 2009, becoming a first & third Tuesday party. This time around, Deeandroid & Celskiii, gathered a large roster of rotating DJs, a host, Johnny Krush, and a core of planners; Primo, Bizibeatz, Snayk Eyez, Mista B., Amerriica, & Chicken Skratch. The roster of rotating DJs includes: Deeandroid, Celskiii, Bizbeatz (Collab), Mista B (4Onefunk), Lady Fingaz (La Femme Deadly Venoms), Delrokz (All Mighty Fam), Jus Jones (Horse Power), BeatsMe, DnZ (Amazing Zoo Crew), Owlboogie, DJ Fooders (Zulu), Mr. MuddBird (Nod Factor Crew), Chungtech (Sweater Funk), PriMO, Jasper Johnson, Ruby Red I, Sir Tipp & Ant-1 (Wild n Crazy Kids/Risky Bizness), Amerriica (Skratchpad), Chicken Skratch, Jerm Nutt, Joonyer, DJ Brigidope, Am-Almighty, Zobe, Habit, DJ Verz, Shred One (RRS Feed/Sweater Funk), Junot (Mixtape Weds), Rod Roc, DJ Kwest, DJ Erock707, Wessyde, DJ Lonely, Gelo, Jerm Nutt, Snayk Eyez, Max Kane (4 ONE FUNK/F.A.M.E), Thatgirl (Peaches), & Teeko (4 ONE FUNK/F.A.M.E).
Since 2009, Skratchpad has gained sponsorship from Thud Rumble, Inno Fader, No Rival Clothing, Mighty 4, SF Zulu chapter, World of Stereo, & Native Instruments. These companies have donated records, gear, prizes for giveaways, as well as helped to promote our party.
Today, Skratchpad continues to be a FREE event, as well as being a group effort. DJs rotate each month in also bringing their turntables & mixers for the Cypher room (for the open tables) on the strength, being a communal event.
Skratchpad has also incorporated having different Hip Hop artists showcase each month, including DJs, BBoys & BGirls, Producers, and Emcees. Our party continues to be free, having the motto, “No Cover, Just Culture” (Johnny Krush). And besides the regular DJs that roll through each month, Renegade Rockers and Forever We Rock make up some of the B-Boys & B-Girls that are regulars. Today, we are no longer a bi-weekly Tuesday party, moved to a new location for May 2011 & beyond. SKRATCHPAD SF is a Second Thursdays monthly party in San Francisco at the ROCKIT ROOM 406 Clement Street San Francisco.
In 2010, Skratchpad has expanded to Skratchpad Sacramento, a 1st Thursday monthly, organized by Kodac Visualz (Asthma Funk/Fight Club), held at Sol Collective in downtown Sacramento.
In 2011, San Jose became the third city to host Skratchpad SJ, organized by the Freshmen Crew DJs Vex One, Traps, Benofficial, and Kurteek. It’s an every 4th Tuesdays party held at Freddie J’s. The first kick off party is on 4/26th. And of course, there’s No Cover, Just Culture.
Skratchpad L.A. is the 4th City to branch out, held on every 3rd Sundays at the Blue Monkey in Hollywood. It’s organized by DJ IQ and his crew, the Handroids, as well as the DJ community in L.A. No Cover, Just Culture. First one kicks off on May 15!
Skratchpad has a monthly radio show, hosted by Accepted Eclectic on Alldayplay.fm, every second Wednesday from 6-7pm. Skratchpad TV is in the works as well as a Skratchpad compilation! Stay Tuned!
Skratchpad SF Every 2nd Thursdays Rockit Room 406 Clement Street
San Francisco, CA 94118-2318
Skratchpad Sac Every 1st Thursdays Sol Collective 2574 21st Street Sacramento, CA 95818-2523
Skratchpad SJ Every 4th Tuesdays Freddie J’s 97 East Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Skratchpad L.A. Every 2nd Wednesdays Blu Monkey Lounge 5521 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
