Skratch Bastid

Skratch Bastid is a Juno-nominated turntablist, producer, and party rocker from Canada. A highly skilled DJ with an eclectic range incorporating hip-hop, funk, reggae, pop, and even classical, he has received viral attention for his scratch routine videos and tutorials, and has remained an in-demand performer since his breakout during the early 2000s. He won the Scribble Jam DJ competition three times, and regularly collaborates with major Canadian hip-hop figures like Shad, Pip Skid, and Buck 65. He hosts the popular Bastid's BBQ parties held in various cities every year. He collaborated with Afiara String Quartet for the classical crossover release Spin Cycle in 2015. He issued the single "Stepchild" with Nick Bike in 2020, and has continued streaming videos and uploading DJ mixes. Paul Murphy, better known as Skratch Bastid, was born and raised in Bedford, Nova Scotia. He played euphonium in high school and started competing in DJ battles in the late '90s. He earned attention for a routine in which he scratched the "Imperial March" from Star Wars during the 2001 Scribble Jam competition. He later won the competition in 2003, 2004, and 2007. He released several mix CDs of his skillful and inventive blends, and scratched on records by hip-hop acts like Pip Skid, Knowself, and Josh Martinez. He produced tracks by emcees Johnny Hardcore and Roosevelt Tharpa, and formed the group Taking Care of Business with John Smith and Pip Skid, releasing a self-titled album in 2005. He also became associated with the underground rap collective 1200 Hobos. Skratch Bastid produced Buck 65's 2007 full-length Situation and became the first DJ to be nominated for the Juno Award for Producer of the Year, for his work on the album. He began hosting the annual Bastid's BBQ block party-style events in 2010, and later launched a series of hot sauces. He also became a judge for Red Bull's annual Thre3style DJ competition. In 2013, Skratch Bastid and Shad released the EP The Spring Up, which featured collaborations with DJ Jazzy Jeff and Cadence Weapon. Skratch Bastid and Afiara String Quartet worked together to produce Spin Cycle, an album of contemporary compositions as well as remixes and responses to each other's work. The effort appeared in 2015 and was nominated for the Juno Award for Instrumental Album of the Year. Skratch Bastid performed with the quartet at the 2016 award ceremony. He released the single "Limoncello" with Shad that year, and "Stepchild" with Nick Bike in 2020. He's since made appearances on recordings by Tachichi, Super Duty Tough Work, and old friends like Shad and Buck 65, and remains popular for his videos and performances.
© Paul Simpson /TiVo