DJ Shortkut: Continuously Magnifying His Skills On The Turntables
May 24, 1999 (Press Release)

Contact: Tiffany Deang
Invisibl Skratch Piklz (650) 878-9944

DJ SHORTKUT: CONTINUOUSLY MAGNIFYING HIS SKILLS ON THE TURNTABLES

Since 1987, Jonathan Cruz, known internationally as DJ Shortkut, has thrilled all DJ, turntablist, and hip-hop audiences worldwide. Known for his unbelievable beat juggling and percussion techniques and routines, Shortkut has expanded these skills to directions that cannot be defined.

As an explosive member of the Invisibl Skratch Piklz (ISP), he continues to stir the imaginations of audiences, and leaves them captivated with his phenomenal music. His classic compositions provide an experience that is incomparable to any other music adventures.

Shortkut began his DJ career in 1987 with Just 2 Hype!, a DJ crew based out of Daly City, California. In 1994, the legendary Invisibl Skratch Piklz came into action, and Shortkut was one of the original members of this team.

Heavily influenced by legends of yesterday and today, he has studied the composition and music styles of jazz icon Miles Davis, electric guitarist Jimi Hendrix, Rob Swift of the X-ecutioners, a DJ crew based out of New York, and DJ QBert, an accomplished member of the Invisibl Skratch Piklz that is credited with creating a new era in the DJ/turntablist community by taking the art of turntablism to new heights. Shortkut incorporated the styles of these pioneers into his musical creations and began composing his own music, which became well respected and celebrated.

Shortkut claimed numerous titles including the 1994 and 1998 West Coast Disco Mixing Club (DMC) Champion, and the 1996 Zulu Nation International Champion. He was also featured in acclaimed national and international publications including Rolling Stone, Details, Spin, and Blaze. In January 1998, Shortkut and the ISP crew graced the cover of the highly circulated URB magazine. His talent has taken him to almost every continent, and has allowed him to visit exciting countries including Denmark, Japan, Italy, Switzerland, England, Sweden, France, Germany, Belgium, and Holland.

Shortkut's current project with ISP is his mix tape entitled Rekonstrukted Elements. The concept Shortkut used when creating this tape was to cover famous hip-hop compositions by reconstructing them his own unique way, and presenting the audience with a medley of break beats, inventive music bits, and the art form of skratching. The tape features a skratch session between Shortkut and QBert; a piece by the 1997 and 1998 International Turntablist Federation (ITF) Champion, Vinroc of 5th Platoon; and a musical segment by the 1998 Vestax World Champion, Swift Rock of the Supernatural Turntable Artists. This recording does not only cater to DJs or turntablists, but to all people that appreciate beats and soul.

The Invisibl Skratch Piklz continue to amaze audiences around the world. They are the leaders in the turntablist industry, combining the skills of the best to create skratch compositions that cannot be imitated.

For more information or bookings contact ISP at (650) 878-9944 or visit ISP on the Internet at http://www.skratchpiklz.com.

Related
DJ QBert: A Legend In His Own Time May 24, 1999 (Press Release)
The Invisibl Skratchpiklz - Corporate Profile (1999 Press Release)