Richard Quitevis, better known as DJ QBert to fans throughout the
world, has attracted attention since 1985 when audiences realized his
skills on the turntables were beyond comprehension. Through years of
creativity, imagination, practice, and dedication he developed the art of
using the turntable as a musical instrument by inventing unimaginable
styles and creating unique systems of skratching. Today turntablism
continues to advance and branch out into diversified directions. History
established that QBert, currently a member of the Invisibl Skratch Piklz
(ISP), heralded a new era in the DJ/turntablist community, and helped
raise this art to its new form.
Heavily influenced by the styles of world-renowned jazz musician Miles Davis, famous electric guitarists Jimmy Hendrix and Les Paul, pianist
Thelonious Monk, and original and innovative DJs throughout the world,
QBert interprets their compositions to create sounds and styles that
continue to generate a worldwide following.
In the early 90's, QBert dominated the DJ scene with his talent and
skills. After claiming the titles of the Disco Mixing Club (DMC) 1991 USA
Champion and the 1992-1994 DMC World Champion, he was asked by
the DMC founders to judge the 1995 DMC Championships instead of
actually competing. In June 1998, QBert, along with another member of
ISP, MixMaster Mike, received the DMC DJ Hall of Fame award for
outstanding contributions to the competition and more importantly, the
industry.
The most documented DJ in the world, QBert has been featured in
numerous local and national publications including Details, XXL, Spin,
Jazziz, and the Bay Area Magazine (BAM), as well as international
magazines and newspapers. In January 1998, QBert and the ISP crew
graced the cover of the highly circulated URB magazine.
Also in 1998 QBert appeared in two international movies: Hang The DJ
and Modulations. Both films appeared in highly respected film festivals.
The former was shown at the Cannes Film Festival held in Cannes, France, and the latter emerged at the Sundance Festival in Colorado.
The documentary Hang The DJ, featured QBert and his unbelievable
techniques. His impact on the world DJ culture and the industry has
influenced artists not only in the hip-hop genre, but in all music
categories. Modulations, a film documenting the history and culture of
electronic music highlighted QBert and his skills on the turntable.
In November 1998, QBert released his solo debut album Wave Twisters. This concept album, presents a story about an entire civilization
residing in inner space, and the only form of communication is through
the sounds of skratching. It will be followed by a full-length animated
film, which is expected to premier in the summer of 2000. This film is the
world's first hip-hop concept-album cartoon, which adds to the
uniqueness and superiority of QBert's album Wave Twisters.