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Rockmaster Russ (AKA The MP3 Genius) - Biography

 

Another true old schooler that’s no doubt, if you need a beat then Russ is your man! From 1982 onwards he has collected all things B Boy on the vinyl scene and has one of the most comprehensive list of beats available.

 

Originally inspired by the ruffer ‘Hobo Scratch’ side of Malcolm McLaren’s ‘Buffalo Gals’ had Russ intrigued, soon moving on to the classic ‘Streetsounds Electro’ compilations when he knew this was the music for him. Coming from a small town in the Midlands and only being 13 it was difficult to find the tunes or the cash... it was of course a mainly imported US sound. With the help of a job and ‘Streetscene Mag’ journeys were made to Birmingham and the beats were hunted down... the diggin began.

The scratchin started after hearing Dr Funkenstein’s ‘Scratching to the Funk’, an early DJ Cash Money tune. On the radio it was Mike Allen and Westwood on Capital and Dave Pearce fresh start to the week before aquring 1200’s in 1988. The Djing started when a local DJ pulled out of a Reggae evening and Russ and a mate stepped in and dropped some hip hop, the crowd loved it and Russ travelled the country under the name ‘Underground Science’. Playing regularly at spots in Cheltenham, Leicester, Nottingham and The Orb at The Eclipse in Coventry he developed his sound and skills.

With the help of a Commodore 64 and a 4 Track recorder Russ began editing his own cut n’paste mixes moving up to a PC in 1998 re-inspired him into the B Boy scene and he was pleasantly surprised to find how much interest there still was in the music he loved. New mixes were created under the guise of ‘MP3 Genius’ and originally became available through the Trakfinder compilations. When 33 Throwdown discovered Russ accidentally while purchasing an ‘Original Concept’ LP they couldn’t believe they’re luck. Here is a producer with amazing programming skills creating future cut n’paste classics.

Influences;- Latin Rascals / Marley Marl / Mastermind / DJ Cheese / DJ Cash Money / Coldcut / Double Dee & Steinski.

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