Mr. Dibbs
Encyclopedia
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Brad Forste, better known as Mr. Dibbs, is a DJ
and hip hop producer
. The founder of the turntablist
collective 1200 Hobos, he has also appeared on numerous underground hip hop
records as producer or DJ as well as releasing a number of solo works.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio
, Forste was introduced to DJing around 1985, when he saw Grandmaster Flash
performing on the syndicated light news/entertainment
show PM Magazine
, but "didn't really understand what he did". After watching an MTV
broadcast of Grand Mixer DXT
performing with Herbie Hancock
on the latter's 1980 single "Rockit
", he learned the hand motions and began to learn scratching himself. He estimates that he spent six months "getting the hang of" scratching, subsequently spending two years "cutting and scratching to whatever was on TV" to practice.
Dibbs formed his own turntablist crew, the 1200 Hobos, in the early 1990s. The crew's rotating line-up has included Buck 65
, Adeem
, Sixtoo
, Doseone
, Jel
, DJ Abilities
, Adverse
, and DJ Signify among others, and at its largest numbered 23 members. They have released two mixtapes.
In addition to the 1200 Hobos, Mr. Dibbs has also been on-off touring DJ for Minneapolis hip hop group Atmosphere
(though never an official member) and, with anticon.'s Doseone and Jel, a member of the group Presage, who released one album, Outer Perimeter
, in 1998.
Mr. Dibbs' "Turntable Hardcore" series of releases was notable for its genre
-straddling approach, blending a wide variety of styles along with more usual hip hop turnablism.
In 1996, Forste teamed up with graffiti
magazine Scribble to put on the first Scribble Jam
event as a promotion for the magazine's launch. The event has since become America's largest hip hop festival, with separate competitions for rapping
, DJing
, graffiti, b-boying and beatboxing
; its past participants and guests have included such names as Eminem
, Big Daddy Kane
, Masta Ace
, Juice
, Prince Paul
, Hi-Tek
, Rhymefest
, Sage Francis
, El-P
, Cage
, Doseone, Atmosphere
, Buck 65, Skratch Bastid
and Mr. Dibbs himself.
Mr. Dibbs is the founder and owner of his own label
, Self Core Records.
Mr. Dibbs is now the tour DJ for rapper El-P.
Brad Forste, better known as Mr. Dibbs, is a DJ
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
and hip hop producer
Hip hop production
Hip hop production is the creation of hip hop music. Though the term encompasses all aspects of hip hop music, it's most commonly used to refer to the instrumental, non-lyrical aspects of hip hop. This means that hip hop producers are the instrumentalists involved in a work...
. The founder of the turntablist
Turntablism
Turntablism is the art of manipulating sounds and creating music using phonograph turntables and a DJ mixer.The word 'turntablist' was coined in 1995 by DJ Babu to describe the difference between a DJ who just plays records, and one who performs by touching and moving the records, stylus and mixer...
collective 1200 Hobos, he has also appeared on numerous underground hip hop
Underground hip hop
Underground hip hop is an umbrella term for hip hop music outside the general commercial canon. It is typically associated with independent artists, signed toindependent labels or no label at all....
records as producer or DJ as well as releasing a number of solo works.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, Forste was introduced to DJing around 1985, when he saw Grandmaster Flash
Grandmaster Flash
Joseph Saddler better known as King Grandmaster Flash, is an American hip hop musician and DJ; one of the pioneers of hip-hop DJing, cutting, and mixing....
performing on the syndicated light news/entertainment
Light entertainment
Light entertainment is a term used to describe a broad range of usually televisual performances. These include comedies, variety shows, quiz/game shows, sketch shows and people/surprise shows.-Light entertainment in Britain:...
show PM Magazine
PM Magazine
PM/Evening Magazine was a television series with a news and entertainment format. It was syndicated to stations throughout the United States...
, but "didn't really understand what he did". After watching an MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
broadcast of Grand Mixer DXT
Grand Mixer DXT
Grand Mixer DXT is an American turntablist. He was formely known as Grand Mixer D.ST. "D.ST" is a reference to Manhattan, New York City's Delancey Street on the Lower East Side...
performing with Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock
Herbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock is an American pianist, bandleader and composer. As part of Miles Davis's "second great quintet," Hancock helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section and was one of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound...
on the latter's 1980 single "Rockit
Rockit
"Rockit" is a song recorded by Herbie Hancock. It was released as a single from his 1983 album Future Shock. The song was written by Hancock, bass guitarist Bill Laswell, and synthesizer/drum machine programmer Michael Beinhorn.-History:...
", he learned the hand motions and began to learn scratching himself. He estimates that he spent six months "getting the hang of" scratching, subsequently spending two years "cutting and scratching to whatever was on TV" to practice.
Dibbs formed his own turntablist crew, the 1200 Hobos, in the early 1990s. The crew's rotating line-up has included Buck 65
Buck 65
Richard Terfry , who uses the stage name Buck 65, is a Canadian experimental artist, MC and turntablist. Underpinned by an extensive background in abstract hip hop, his more recent music has extensively incorporated blues, country, rock, folk and avant garde influences.Terfry is also a radio host,...
, Adeem
Adeem
-Given name:* Adeem Hashmi , Pakistani poet* Abdul-Adeem Karjimi, Moroccan footballer*Adeem, American hip-hop artist-See also:* Abdul Azim, the second part Azim can also be spelled Adeem...
, Sixtoo
Sixtoo
Sixtoo was the main project of a Canadian hip hop DJ, MC and producer Vaughn Robert Squire between 1996-2007. He has since retired the Sixtoo name pursuing other directions in electronic music, with a large genre shift from experimental hip hop to deeper club sounds of various temposSquire rose to...
, Doseone
Doseone
Adam Drucker, better known as Doseone , is an American MC, artist, and poet from Idaho. Dose is known for his nasal, high pitched, fast polyrhythmic rapping style and abstract lyrics. He often simultaneously performs synth, sampler, or keyboard on stage. His words tend to express upon topics of...
, Jel
Jel
Jel is a hip hop producer and rapper for the Anticon label. He is a part of the hip hop duo Themselves and is also heavily involved in the bands Subtle and 13 & God.-Style:...
, DJ Abilities
DJ Abilities
DJ Abilities is a Minnesota-based hip-hop DJ affiliated with Rhymesayers Entertainment. With his emcee partner, the late Eyedea, he formed the group known as Eyedea & Abilities, also known as E&A...
, Adverse
Adverse (Hip hop artist)
Adverse is an American hip hop artist known for his intellectually challenging lyrics and complex rhyme-schemes, syllabic placement and on-stage antics. A former debate-champion, his music is often informed and witty...
, and DJ Signify among others, and at its largest numbered 23 members. They have released two mixtapes.
In addition to the 1200 Hobos, Mr. Dibbs has also been on-off touring DJ for Minneapolis hip hop group Atmosphere
Atmosphere (music group)
Atmosphere is an American hip hop group from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The group is composed of rapper Slug and DJ/Producer Ant...
(though never an official member) and, with anticon.'s Doseone and Jel, a member of the group Presage, who released one album, Outer Perimeter
Outer Perimeter
The Outer Perimeter was an expressway originally planned to encircle Atlanta about 20 to 25 miles farther away from the city than the existing Perimeter Highway .-Planning:...
, in 1998.
Mr. Dibbs' "Turntable Hardcore" series of releases was notable for its genre
Music genre
A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other types of music...
-straddling approach, blending a wide variety of styles along with more usual hip hop turnablism.
In 1996, Forste teamed up with graffiti
Graffiti
Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property....
magazine Scribble to put on the first Scribble Jam
Scribble Jam
Scribble Jam was an annual hip hop music festival hosted in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dubbed "America's largest hip hop festival", it was co-founded in 1996 by "Fat" Nick Accurso, and Jason Brunson, founders of graffiti magazine Scribble, and DJ Mr Dibbs, in the parking lot of a local nightclub...
event as a promotion for the magazine's launch. The event has since become America's largest hip hop festival, with separate competitions for rapping
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
, DJing
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
, graffiti, b-boying and beatboxing
Beatboxing
Beatboxing is a form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one's mouth, lips, tongue, and voice. It may also involve singing, vocal imitation of turntablism, and the simulation of horns, strings, and other musical instruments...
; its past participants and guests have included such names as Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
, Big Daddy Kane
Big Daddy Kane
Antonio Hardy better known by his stage name Big Daddy Kane, is an American rapper who started his career in 1986 as a member of the rap group the Juice Crew. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential and skilled MC's in Hip Hop...
, Masta Ace
Masta Ace
Duval Clear , known better by his stage name Masta Ace, is a rapper from Brownsville, Brooklyn. He appeared on the classic 1988 Juice Crew posse cut "The Symphony"...
, Juice
MC Juice
Terry Parker, better known by his stage name MC Juice or simply Juice, is an American freestyle rapper from Chicago, United States. He beat Eminem at Scribble Jam in 1997. He was regarded in 2004 as one of finest freestyle rappers ever produced by Chicago...
, Prince Paul
Prince Paul
Paul Huston, better known by the stage name Prince Paul, is an American disc jockey and hip-hop record producer. He was also a founding member of the Gravediggaz where he used the name The Undertaker.- Biography :...
, Hi-Tek
Hi-Tek
Tony Cottrell, better known as Hi-Tek, is an American record producer and rapper from Cincinnati, Ohio. He is best known for his work with Talib Kweli on his Reflection Eternal album and on Black Star...
, Rhymefest
Rhymefest
Che Smith , known by the stage name of Rhymefest, is an American hip hop artist from Chicago, Illinois whose first official album, Blue Collar, was released on July 11, 2006. He co-wrote Kanye West's "Jesus Walks", which won a Grammy at the 47th Grammy Awards. In October, 2010, Rhymefest announced...
, Sage Francis
Sage Francis
Paul "Sage" Francis is a hip-hop artist from Providence, Rhode Island.-Biography:Born Paul Francis in Miami, Florida, Sage Francis is a rapper/writer/performer from Providence, Rhode Island. He is the founder and CEO of the independent hip-hop record label Strange Famous Records...
, El-P
El-Producto
El-P is an American hip hop artist and entrepreneur from Brooklyn, New York City. Originally a member of Company Flow, El-P has been a major driving force in alternative hip hop for over a decade. He is the co-founder, owner and CEO of the Definitive Jux record label...
, Cage
Cage Kennylz
Chris Palko, better known by his stage name Cage, is an American rapper from New York City. He has released three studio albums and two extended plays. Cage is also the founder of the underground hip-hop supergroup called the Weathermen.-Early life:...
, Doseone, Atmosphere
Atmosphere
An atmosphere is a layer of gases that may surround a material body of sufficient mass, and that is held in place by the gravity of the body. An atmosphere may be retained for a longer duration, if the gravity is high and the atmosphere's temperature is low...
, Buck 65, Skratch Bastid
Skratch Bastid
Paul Murphy , known primarily by his stage name Skratch Bastid, is a Canadian hip hop DJ and Juno nominated record producer. His rise to prominence began with his 2003 Scribble Jam win, and his world class status was solidified with subsequent victories in 2004 and 2007...
and Mr. Dibbs himself.
Mr. Dibbs is the founder and owner of his own label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, Self Core Records.
Mr. Dibbs is now the tour DJ for rapper El-P.
Solo albums
- Eat Meat (2003)
- Eat Meat 2 (2007)
- Turntable Hardcore Volume 1
- Ugly and Proud Volume 1 (Parts 1 & 2)
- Ugly and Proud Volume 2 (Parts 3 & 4)
- Ugly and Proud Volume 3 (parts 5 & 6)
- Unearthed Volume 1
- Unearthed Volume 2
- Unearthed Volume 3
- Turntable Scientifics (1995, CDCompact DiscThe Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
reissue 1998) - Primitive Tracks (Cease and DesistNo RecordsNo Records was a record label and later record distributor that operated in Halifax, Nova Scotia from January 1993 to August 2004. The record label/distributor was started by Waye Mason who continues to play a key role in the operations of the Halifax Pop Explosion.Started during the beginning of...
, 2000) - Random, Vol. 1 (Puddles Frothingsquat Recordings, 2002)
- Random, Vol. 2 (Puddles Frothingsquat Recordings, 2002) limited to 2000 copies
- Random Vol. 3/Sad Clown Bad Dub 7Random Vol. 3/Sad Clown Bad Dub 7"Random Vol. 3/Sad Clown Bad Dub 7" is a two CD package that consists of a volume of Mr. Dibbs' "Random" series and a volume of Atmosphere's "Sad Clown" series. Disc one is a compilation of both live and studio recordings involving Mr. Dibbs' DJ and production work. Disc two consists of...
(2003) - The 30th Song (Rhymesayers EntertainmentRhymesayers EntertainmentRhymesayers Entertainment is an independent hip hop record label based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, co-founded in 1995 by Sean Daley, Anthony Davis, Brent Sayers and Musab Saad....
, 2003)
Guest appearances
- El-PEl-ProductoEl-P is an American hip hop artist and entrepreneur from Brooklyn, New York City. Originally a member of Company Flow, El-P has been a major driving force in alternative hip hop for over a decade. He is the co-founder, owner and CEO of the Definitive Jux record label...
, I'll Sleep When You're DeadI'll Sleep When You're Dead-Credits:*Executive Producers: El-P and Amaechi Uzoigwe*Mastering: Michael Sarsfield*Mixing, engineering: Joey Raia*Layout and design: Brad Smith*Photography: Timothy Saccenti*Project Manager: Jesse Ferguson-External links:***...
(Definitive JuxDefinitive JuxDefinitive Jux is an independent record label based in New York City, United States. It was co-founded in 1999 by Jaime Meline and Amaechi Uzoigwe. The label was initially known simply as Def Jux, but in 2001, popular hip hop label Def Jam Recordings sued Def Jux over the name similarity...
, 2007) (cuts & scratches) - TerrorTerror (band)Terror is a hardcore punk band from Los Angeles, California. Their second album One with the Underdogs sold over 40,000 copies. They have also been on tours throughout Europe , Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Mexico and South America...
, "Dibbs And Murs Check In" from Always the Hard WayAlways the Hard WayAlways the Hard Way is an album by Californian band Terror, released on the Trustkill label in 2006 . The album also features a guest appearance by Mr. Dibbs and Murs Always the Hard Way is an album by Californian band Terror, released on the Trustkill label in 2006 (see 2006 in music). The album...
(Trustkill RecordsTrustkill RecordsTrustkill Records was an American record label that started as a hardcore punk fanzine in April 1993. It started releasing hardcore, metal and rock records and merchandise in 1994...
, 2006) (production) - Gym Class HeroesGym Class HeroesGym Class Heroes is an American hip hop rock band from Geneva, New York. They have collaborated with Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump on numerous occasions, notably for providing backing vocals on the song "Cupid's Chokehold." Stump also produced the majority of their album The Quilt.The group formed...
, "Papercuts (The Reason For The Lesions Remix by Mr. Dibbs)" from The Papercut ChroniclesThe Papercut ChroniclesThe Papercut Chronicles is the second album by Gym Class Heroes released in 2005 by Fueled by Ramen/Decaydance. A sequel, The Papercut Chronicles II, was released in 2011.- Track listing :# "Za Intro" – 1:40# "Papercuts" – 3:26...
(Fueled by RamenFueled by RamenFueled by Ramen is an American record label which operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records. The label, founded in Gainesville, Florida, is based in New York City...
/DecaydanceDecaydance RecordsDecaydance Records is a record label based in New York City. Originally founded as an imprint of Fueled by Ramen, it is now an independent record label owned by Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy and partners. The first band Wentz signed to the label was Panic! at the Disco...
, 2005) (remix) - Felt, Felt: A Tribute to Christina RicciFelt: A Tribute to Christina RicciFelt: A Tribute to Christina Ricci is the first album by Felt, a side project made up of Slug and Murs. It is entirely produced by Living Legends member The Grouch and it contains scratches provided by Mr. Dibbs. The album is dedicated to actress Christina Ricci because when the two first met they...
(Rhymesayers EntertainmentRhymesayers EntertainmentRhymesayers Entertainment is an independent hip hop record label based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, co-founded in 1995 by Sean Daley, Anthony Davis, Brent Sayers and Musab Saad....
, 2003) (scratches) - Sage FrancisSage FrancisPaul "Sage" Francis is a hip-hop artist from Providence, Rhode Island.-Biography:Born Paul Francis in Miami, Florida, Sage Francis is a rapper/writer/performer from Providence, Rhode Island. He is the founder and CEO of the independent hip-hop record label Strange Famous Records...
, "Kill Ya' Momz" from Personal JournalsPersonal JournalsPersonal Journals has received high reviews from critics. Allmusic gave the album four out of five stars. Pitchfork Media gave it a 8.7 out of 10 ratings. RapReviews.com gave the album a 9.5 out of 10. Robert Christgau gave it a "*" which means an honorable mention...
(anticon., 2002) (production) - cLOUDDEADCLOUDDEADClouddead was a musical group consisting of the experimental hip hop musicians Doseone , Why? , and Odd Nosdam . Generally Drucker and Wolf provide the group's vocals while Madson produces the music...
, "(cLOUDDEAD #5) Parts 1 & 2" from cLOUDDEAD (MushMush RecordsMush Records is an independent record label that has released albums for many independent artists and was started by Robert Curcio and Cindy Roché.Mush Records is an electronic based record label...
/Big DadaBig DadaBig Dada Recordings is the Hip Hop imprint of London-based independent record label, Ninja Tune. It is best known for being the home of prominent British hip hop artist Roots Manuva. It was started by reputed hip hop journalist Will Ashon in February 1997...
, 2001) (scratches) - Murs, "Dibbs Did This Shit (Interlude)" from The End of the BeginningThe End of the Beginning (MURS album)The End of the Beginning is the second studio album by Murs, an American rapper, that was released in 2003. This album is MURS' debut on the Definitive Jux label, and is hailed by critics as one of MURS' best albums...
(Definitive Jux, 2001) (production) - Peanut Butter WolfPeanut Butter WolfChris Manak, aka Peanut Butter Wolf, is a DJ, hip-hop producer and the founder of hip-hop label Stones Throw Records.A native of San Jose, California, He took on the name Peanut Butter Wolf in the late-80s when he realized that a girlfriend’s youngest brother feared the “peanut butter wolf monster”...
, "Mr. Dibbs" from My Vinyl Weighs a TonMy Vinyl Weighs A TonMy Vinyl Weighs a Ton is the first solo album by Californian hip hop DJ and producer Peanut Butter Wolf, released in 1999) on his own Stones Throw label in conjunction with Copasetik Records...
(Stones ThrowStones Throw RecordsStones Throw Records is an independent hip hop record label based in Los Angeles, California. It was started in 1996 by DJ/Producer Peanut Butter Wolf in part to release the music he made with Charizma who was killed at the age of 20....
, 1999) (phone callPrank callA prank call is a form of practical joke committed over the telephone. Prank phone calls began to gain an America-wide following over a period of many years, as they gradually became a staple of the obscure and amusing cassette tapes traded amongst musicians, sound engineers, and media traders...
) - ThemselvesThemselvesThemselves is an Oakland-based hip hop group, made up of rapper Doseone and producer Jel . Dax Pierson, from the affiliated group Subtle, has played keyboards for the group, though he is not considered an official member. To date, the group has released three full-length albums and two singles...
, "John Brown's Vaporizer" from Them (anticon., 1998) (co-production) - DoseoneDoseoneAdam Drucker, better known as Doseone , is an American MC, artist, and poet from Idaho. Dose is known for his nasal, high pitched, fast polyrhythmic rapping style and abstract lyrics. He often simultaneously performs synth, sampler, or keyboard on stage. His words tend to express upon topics of...
, "Bronchial Cleansing" & "Voluntary Passive Euthanasia" from Hemispheres (A Purple 100, 1998) (production) - Suffocate Faster, "Death Becomes Her/Grinder feat. Mr. Dibbs" from "Only Time Will Tell" (Broken Sounds, 2004) (co-production)
Soundtrack & compilation appearances
- "Divine Spirit", Suite for Weldon 12" EPExtended playAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
(Stones Throw, 2003) - "Skin Therapy", Tony Hawk's UndergroundTony Hawk's UndergroundTony Hawk's Underground, abbreviated to THUG, is a skateboarding video game, available for the PlayStation 2, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, and Xbox platforms released in 2003. A PC version was released exclusively in Australia as a budget release in 2005. This version was ported by Beenox. In 2004,...
(2003)
External links
- Mr. Dibbs' official website
- Self Core Records website, label owned by Mr. Dibbs
Interviews
- Radio Feature The Some Assembly RequiredSome Assembly RequiredSome Assembly Required is a sound collage radio program in the United States, produced in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the first radio show known to focus exclusively on works of sample based music, and appropriation in audio art...
Interview with Mr. Dibbs (2007).