Releases by Mixer / D.J.
ROGER 'R.J. SCRATCH' JOHNSON
| Year | Release Title | Label | Mix Title | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 1985 04 Mixes | D.M.C. | 1985 CHAMPIONSHIP MIX | 00:09:10 |
| 1987 | Electro 18 | Street Sounds (Dance Music Ltd.) | HIP HOP 18 Side One | 00:21:51 |
| 1987 | Electro 18 | Street Sounds (Dance Music Ltd.) | HIP HOP 18 Side Two | 00:22:35 |
| 1987 | House Trax | Street Sounds (Dance Music Ltd.) | HOUSE TRAX 1 Side One | 00:21:33 |
| 1987 | House Trax | Street Sounds (Dance Music Ltd.) | HOUSE TRAX 1 Side Two | 00:19:47 |
| 1987 | Prince Buster Mega Mix | Spartan | PRINCE BUSTER Mega Mix | 00:04:21 |
| 1987 | The Best Of West Coast Hip Hop | Street Sounds (Dance Music Ltd.) | BEST OF WEST COAST HIP HOP Side One | 00:26:27 |
| 1987 | The Best Of West Coast Hip Hop | Street Sounds (Dance Music Ltd.) | BEST OF WEST COAST HIP HOP Side Two | 00:24:15 |
Information:
Below is a summarised biography created using Google Gemini in April 2026...
Roger Johnson (often known as RJ Scratch) represents the bridge between the technical foundations of hip-hop turntablism and the birth of the UK’s electronic rave culture. Sadly, he passed away in April 2024, but his legacy remains a cornerstone of British DJ history.
The First World Champion (1985)
Roger Johnson’s most significant claim to fame is becoming the first-ever DMC World DJ Champion in 1985.
The Moment: At The Hippodrome in London, Johnson performed a seminal nine-minute set that combined scratching and mixing over tracks by Kurtis Blow and James Brown.
Impact: This victory effectively "put the UK on the map" for turntablism. He proved that the art form, which originated in New York, had a world-class home in London. He was awarded a DMC Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 2024.
Shaping UK Radio (Late 1980s)
In the late 80s, Johnson was the technical backbone of Dave Pearce’s "Fresh Start to the Week" on Nite FM and later BBC Radio.
Live Performance: Known for his "Scratch Attack" segments, he performed live hip-hop mixes on-air, cutting and scratching vinyl in real-time.
Innovation: Journalists often cite these sessions as the first time many UK listeners heard "musical" scratching—where the turntable was treated as a lead instrument rather than just a playback device.
The Evolution into Rave and Jungle (1990s)
As the UK music scene shifted from hip-hop to electronic dance music, Johnson evolved with it.
Residencies: He held legendary residencies at early rave institutions like Labrynth and Desire.
Production: He became a key figure in the "bleep techno" and early jungle movements. His 1993 collaboration with DJ Peshay (released on 2000 AD Recordings) is cited by historians as a "missing link" where hardcore breakbeat began transitioning into what we now know as drum and bass.
Engineering for the Greats
Beyond the decks, Johnson was a highly respected sound engineer and producer:
Mute Records: He worked as an in-house engineer at the iconic Mute Records, working with artists like Photek and LTJ Bukem.
Touring with Moby: He spent five years touring the world with Moby as a programmer and engineer, further cementing his reputation as a master of the technical side of electronic music.