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D.J. CUT-UP'S & LIVE PERFORMANCES BY GRAND WIZARD THEODORE
Total Mixes: 13, Duration: 01:53:35


A summarised biography of Grand Wizard Theodore created using Google Gemini in January 2026 can be found at the bottom of this page

Click on the 'Release Title' to view the full details of each release


Release Category Release Title Label Catalogue # Year Mixer(s) Mix Title Length
D.J. Cut-Up - LegalWild Style SoundtrackAnimalCHR14531983Grand Wizard Theodore & Kevie Kev RockwellMILITARY CUT Scratch Mix00:03:36
D.J. Cut-Up - LegalWild Style SoundtrackAnimalCHR14531983Grand Wizard Theodore & Kevie Kev RockwellGANGBUSTERS SCRATCH MIX00:01:19
D.J. Cut-Up - LegalWild Style Soundtrack (2)Arrow FilmsFCD27612025Grand Wizard TheodoreSCRATCH MIX OUTTAKE 100:02:57
D.J. Cut-Up - LegalWild Style Soundtrack (2)Arrow FilmsFCD27612025Grand Wizard TheodoreSCRATCH MIX OUTTAKE 200:02:10
D.J. Cut-Up - LegalWild Style Soundtrack (2)Arrow FilmsFCD27612025Grand Wizard TheodoreSCRATCH MIX OUTTAKE 300:02:59
Live Old School Hip HopHip Hop/Funk/Dance Classics Volume 1Music Of LifeSPOCK31991Grand Wizard Theodore with The Fantastic Romantic 5THE BATTLE AT HARLEM WORLD 1981 Part 200:18:28
Live Old School Hip HopHip Hop/Funk/Dance Classics Volume 3Music Of LifeMOLLP0301993Grand Wizard Theodore with The Fantastic Romantic 5HIP HOP THROWDOWN Part 500:14:38
Live Old School Hip HopLive Convention '80Disc-O-WaxDW20032008Grand Wizard Theodore with The Fantastic Romantic 5 & Soul Sonic ForceLIVE CONVENTION '80 Ecstasy Garage Disco Side B00:20:11
Live Old School Hip HopLive Convention '82Disco WaxDW60321982Grand Wizard Theodore with Master Rob, Kevie Kev (Waterbed Kev) & Rubie DeeLIVE CONVENTION '82 Side A00:15:33
Live Old School Hip HopLive Convention '82Disco WaxDW60321982Grand Wizard Theodore with The Treacherous Three & Busy BeeLIVE CONVENTION '82 Side B00:10:52
Live Old School Hip HopLive M.C. Battle From Harlem World 1981Slammin'7125711998Grand Wizard Theodore with The Fantastic Romantic 5THE BATTLE AT HARLEM WORLD 198100:11:20
Live Old School Hip HopWild Style SoundtrackAnimalCHR14531983Grand Wizard Theodore with Busy Bee & Lil Rodney CeeM.C. BATTLE00:03:09
Live Old School Hip HopWild Style SoundtrackAnimalCHR14531983Grand Wizard Theodore & Kevie Kev Rockwell with The Fantastic FreaksAT THE DIXIE00:06:24


Grand Wizard Theodore (Theodore Livingston) is a legendary figure in hip-hop history, best known as the inventor of the scratching technique. His contributions in the late 1970s transformed the turntable from a playback device into a musical instrument. Here is a summary of his history and impact.

The Origin Story (1975)

The most famous lore in DJ culture is the "accidental" invention of the scratch. As a teenager in the Bronx, Theodore was practicing in his bedroom when his mother entered to tell him to turn the music down. To keep his place in the record while she spoke, he held the vinyl and moved it back and forth. He realized the rhythmic "rubbing" sound had a unique musical quality.

Key Contributions

The Scratch: While others may have manipulated vinyl, Theodore was the first to formalize "scratching" as a rhythmic technique used in a performance.

The Needle Drop: He pioneered the "needle drop" or "drop-in," where a DJ drops the needle exactly on the start of a beat or a specific sound without looking, relying on muscle memory and marking the vinyl.

Lyrical Five/Fantastic Five: He led the group Grandwizard Theodore & the Fantastic Five, known for their high-energy performances and the classic 1982 single "Can I Get A Soul Clap."

Legacy and Media

Theodore's skills were immortalized in the 1983 film "Wild Style," the first major motion picture focused on hip-hop culture. In the film, he plays himself, showcasing the scratching techniques that would eventually become a fundamental element of "turntablism."

"He didn't just play the records; he played the turntable like a guitar." - Common sentiment among hip-hop historians.