DJ Swamp

DJ Swamp

DJ Swamp
Background information
Birth name Ronald K. Keys Jr.
Origin Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Genres Hip hop, electronica
Years active 1996–present
Labels Decadent Records
Associated acts Beck
The Crystal Method
Website http://www.djswamp.com/
Notable instruments
Technics SL-1200

Ronald K. Keys Jr. aka DJ Swamp is an American hip hop DJ/turntablist, producer and vocalist. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. He currently resides in Los Angeles, USA. In 1996, he won the title of US DMC Champion, his first year entering the tournament. Swamp toured with Beck for four years and later broke away into a solo career with his release "Never is Now" in 2001. Alternative Press gave "Never is Now" an 8/10 rating.[1]

His follow-up, a drum 'n' bass EP called "Instruments of Torture", was recorded with Jack Dangers of Meat Beat Manifesto. His current album "Vinyl Disciple" produced several music videos, including four 3D music videos. The music video for his song "The Leaders will Follow" is the first music video in history to incorporate 3D video scratching.[2] His music video for "Rock Rollin'" features Dave England of Jackass fame.

DJ Swamp has produced several DJ tools that are considered standards, including his infamous "skip-proof" records, which have the same sample repeated over and over so that if the needle is bumped it will land in the same sample.

DJ Swamp's scratch at the beginning of The Crystal Method track "Name of the Game" is one of his most recognizable scratches. The song is featured in several motion pictures, including "Tropic Thunder." [3]

1996 US DMC tournament

In 1996, as a first time entry, he won the DMC US DJ Championship. He ended his set using pitch manipulation to play Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water", followed by him smashing his records.[4]

Career with Beck

After winning the 1996 US DMC Championships, Swamp found himself still driving a street sweeper for a living in Ohio. He was making calls looking for gigs and a chance to break into the music scene full-time when he heard Beck was going to be in town. He formulated a plan to pose as a reporter and slip in a demo of him mixing and scratching Beck's tracks. He waited for Beck all day but never got to meet him. He did, however, give his demo tape to Beck's publicist. A few weeks later Beck called Swamp and he joined the tour as Beck's DJ. The two toured together for four years.[5]

Solo career

After years of touring with Beck, DJ Swamp released his first album, "Never is Now", which was supported by the successful single "Worship the Robots." The song featured Simple Text voice Fred as the rapper. The text application vocals were chopped up and manipulated to make it more like rap than just spoken text. Also on the album was "Disintegrator" which was featured in the movie "Orgazmo" and appeared on the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

As a solo artist DJ Swamp has opened for such artists as Daft Punk, The Prodigy, Bassnectar, Nero, The Crystal Method, Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, Mix Master Mike, Datsik, Diesel Boy, Outkast, Fuel, Method Man and Redman.

Swamp has built a loyal following around the world appearing in festivals, rock shows, hip-hop shows and even raves. His stage performance consists of him Mixing, Scratching, Magic Tricks and even Emceeing. Crowds are often overwhelmed by his stage presence, heavy bass sound, crowd interaction and give-a-ways.

DJ Swamp's scratching can be heard throughout the movie Thirteen which won an Academy Award and was the first movie for director Catherine Hardwicke of Twilight fame. He was featured in the DJ documentary Scratch and the motion picture Clockstoppers.

In 1996 DJ Swamp formed Decadent Records, which allowed him to distribute his scratch tools vinyl and digital releases. Under this label he invented several DJ tools that are considered standards, including his infamous "skip-proof scratch tool" records which have the same sample repeated over and over in a straight line so that if the needle is bumped it will land on the same sample. A technique that has been copied by most battle breaks and scratch records and are a staple in many turntablist sets.

Professional appearances

DJ Swamp has become the go to man for studio scratching in Los Angeles and has appeared on songs by Beck, The Crystal Method, Vanilla Ice, Katy Perry, Supreme Beings of Leisure, Ben Folds, Belinda, Oblivion Dust, Kid Rock, Twiztid, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Hanson, The Bloodhound Gang, Morcheeba, The Dandy Warhols, R. L. Burnside, Faithless, OPM, Devo, Save Ferris, Say Anything, Dust Brothers, Kool Keith, Sticky Fingaz, and Better Than Ezra.

Television appearances

ABC In Concert, The Grammy Awards, American Music Awards, Jools Holland, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, MuchMusic, Farmclub.com, MTV Awards, TFI Friday, ESPN's Summer X Games 2000, ESPN /ABC Winter X Games 2001, and Top of the Pops.

Featured in print

He has been featured in Rolling Stone, Spin, Subculture, Ray Gun, Mean, DJ Times, Keyboard, Mix, Los Angeles Times, and URB.

Discography

As a professional DJ he has been featured in songs for major artists.[6]

Releases

Remixes

Featured Scratching On

Production

Appears on

Other media appearances

References

[4][5][6][7][8][9]

  1. ↑ Review on CD Universe
  2. ↑ The Leaders will Follow on Youtube
  3. ↑ Swamp recording the "Calling all Freaks" scratch.
  4. 1 2 Youtube DJ Swamp DMC routine from 1996
  5. 1 2 Interview with Free Williamsburg 2002
  6. 1 2 DJ Swamp on Discogs
  7. ↑ DJ Swamp Official Webpage
  8. ↑ DJ Swamp Myspace
  9. ↑ Facebook Fan Page
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