Grandmaster Flash was almost beaten to death for changing music. Before hip hop had record deals or protection, Flash took apart turntables and learned how to control time. The culture that later celebrated him nearly killed him for it. In the late 1970s, Bronx DJ battles were territorial. Sound systems were property. Techniques were secrets. Embarrass the wrong crew, and violence followed. Flash wasn’t a showman. He was an engineer. He rebuilt mixers, modified crossfaders, and invented backspin

An Audio-Visual Guide to Grandmaster Flash