Re[2]: Origins of Rap

John Schauer (john_schauer@development.uchicago.edu)
Tue, 20 Feb 96 14:50:04 CST


Keith <kwillis@VMS1.GMU.EDU>,2/20/96 wrote:

>An interesting thing to add to this is the Jamaican djs used to have live
>instruments and percussion play along with their rhythm tracks and
>toasting. Also, from what I understand they also invented scratching. I
>think the early djs would be well worth checking out for most on the
>list. Check out Scottie, URoy, etc.
>Keith

Actually there are recordings of William S Burroughs doing what he called
"inching" from 1962-63. It was the same idea as scratching, but with tape
instead of records. Reel-to-reel tape was moved back and forth over the tape
head giving a sound similar to scratching with records. Burroughs never
developed the tape process any further and it almost certainly had no direct
connection to Jamaican or NY DJ practice.

I realize this is not a amateur history newsgroup and this is my last
bandwith-waster on the topic, Whoo-Ha!