“Banks, Scratch: Two Turntables and a Storytelling Tradition” Discussion Question - Laila Franklin

1. According to Banks‘ introductory chapter “Scratch,” how do DJ’s constitute “organic intellectuals,” “digital griots,” and how does the use of/term “scratch” act as an intervention in the realm of the digital? Map this definition onto the current work of DJ Nice’s quarantine dance parties. 

In this introductory chapter, Banks constitutes DJ’s as “organic intellectuals” and “digital griots”, citing the ways they have provided the outline for African American rhetorical practices and traditions. Banks’ contends that DJ’s “[hold] the crowd in the palm of [their] hands”, serving in a role that calls for them to know their community and audiences deeply (3). Not only do they provide what they know the audience or community wants and or needs, but they are also on the cusp on ingenuity, constantly sourcing materials or crafting breaks that provide new and fresh experiences for their communities and audiences. The “scratch” acts as an intervention in the digital as its interruptions allow for the insertion of other voices and as a redirection of attention. When the DJ employs the “scratch”, they are calling listeners to new ways of listening and experiencing sound, sourcing from moments that may be considered disruptive or even mistakes. 

In consideration of DJ Nice’s quarantine dance parties, “Club Quarantine” and “Home School”, the above definition is in an application through his use of Instagram Live to present full 1-hour sets during current COVID-19 lockdowns. The platform allows the community to give limited feedback through a comment feature but relies heavily on D-Nice's own cultivated knowledge of his community and audience. The performative-affective state is heightened through the lag in and limited nature of feedback, but given the outstanding numbers of viewers present and, we assume, actively participating, it is a testament to his mastery of tradition and critical ingenuity and improvisatory skills and techniques required of the craft.