September 18, 2007
SCRATCH: Is This The End?
Yep, the rumors are true. Issue #20 will be the final issue of Scratch. But don’t mourn us—remember the good times, rap nerds!
Now check out what’s in the final issue, which will drop by the end of September. We’re going out with a bang!:
-Timbaland explains why “pop is the new hip-hop,” why he’s still homies with Scott Storch and why he’s had trouble working with Jay-Z and Missy Elliott.
-50 Cent discusses working with no-name producers, getting creative with Timbaland and why other big name beatmakers like The Neptunes and Kanye didn’t make the final cut on Curtis.
-RZA breaks down each track on the Wu-Tang reunion album 8 Diagrams.
-Irv Gotti on plotting Ja Rule’s comeback, his new reality show and how 50 Cent affected his career.
-An introduction to the producers behind Soulja Boy’s “Crank Dat (Soulja Boy),” 50 Cent’s “I Get Money,” Playaz Circle & Lil Wayne’s “Duffle Bag Boy,” Nelly’s “Wadsyaname” and Gucci Mane’s “Freaky Gurl.”
-David Banner explains how he came out of his depression and why he has a hard time rapping on his own beats.
-Without Little Brother by his side, 9th Wonder talks about begining his new movement in North Carolina.
-A detailed break-down of the infamous MP3 Ripping Groups that supply us with the illegal music we love.
-Chicago producers Cuzo and Xcel go inside the world of juke house music with their new hip-hop fusion.
-The Alchemist breaks down his beat-making process from the ground-up.
-Just Blaze tests out the Roland V-Synth GT and remembers his most influential pieces of gear.
-DJ Envy rates hip-hop’s greatest DJ/MC duos.
-Stones Throw’s Egon goes shopping for Turkish vinyl.
-DJ Toomp remembers the creation of his 5 best beats.
-A day in the life of Cali’s biggest DJ, Felli Fel.
-DJ Camilo tests out Traktor Scratch digital DJ system.
-Zion I’s Amp Live gives a tour of Oakland’s hip-hop scene.
-Hot 97’s underground hip-hop savior Peter Rosenberg remembers his most influential albums.
PLUS A HELLUVALOT MORE!
Now pour one out!
76 Responses to "SCRATCH: Is This The End?"
Sep.18 at 11:46 am
Nick Cicero says:
why scratch why?
Sep.18 at 12:15 pm
Phil says:
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Man, I know a lot of people are just going to throw salt on you guys for not catering to their every indulgent whim with this mag, but I will say it now and forever: SCRATCH was everything I ever wanted in a producer-oriented publication. I STILL want to write for you guys! I could see the growth coming and I liked the ways the magazine was expanding its repetoire while still being Hip-Hop driven at its core. Is there ANYONE out there making any bids for pub, the name, the SCRATCH crew? Maybe y’all could go overseas with it? Damn, I’m gonna miss y’all.
Sep.18 at 12:17 pm
Phil says:
And now these guys won’t ever get a cover: Pete Rock
Erick Sermon
Diamond D
Showbiz
Battlecat
Organized Noize (great article, but they deserve a cover)
DILLA!
…too many pioneers to name.
Sep.18 at 12:30 pm
Riesgo says:
That Fuckin Blows your Mag is the only Mag that I Buy consistently. I have every single mag you put out except the first issue. Since you guys are leaving us do you think I can get a print of the first Issue or at least Buy it from you?
Sep.18 at 12:49 pm
Peter says:
What happens with us that are subscribers of Scratch? are we getting XXL instead of scratch or our money back? I’m going to miss my scratch mag.
Sep.18 at 1:00 pm
Charlie Beatz says:
What the hell em I suppose to read now! I just sent you’ll my demo for the “Listen to my Demo” section. This has got to be the worst day ever. I need that constructive criticism. You are f***ing kidding me right. Na, seriously what’s the plan? All these other mags out here are garbage.
Sep.18 at 1:16 pm
Lennox says:
Yo WTF? Dammit!! This is tha only magazine in HIP-HOP I read!! Tha complete package, everything I need in a mag, I sit impatiently for two months waitin’ for that scratch to come out…and read that shit that same day!!..SHIT…Man I don’t even know what to do now? Hip-Hop is fuckin’ weak now, ain’t shit goin’ on now..all these wack ass rappers, fake ass mags, stereotypical videos etc. And now one of tha only things I can get my hands on to keep me interested is gone?? I study this shit man…fuck..I’m sincerely and thoroughly pissed by this shitty ass news…This is by far tha worst entertainment news I’ve heard this year in my world…FUCK! I gotta go clear my head….R.I.P. Scratch.
Sep.18 at 1:31 pm
CMoney says:
You mean to tell me XXL don’t got enough money to keep this magazine running? :-/
Sep.18 at 1:40 pm
Tuch Money says:
Whoa! Hold the F!@ck up! Last issue!? That’s crazy! How can you deprive the aspiring producer of Scratch Magazine?! Scratch is the one magazine that I truly look forward to reading because It keeps me in tune with the music world from a poducers prospective. and that is a hard thing to accomplish for dudes like us who only come up for air every once in a blue moon. XXL is cool, but it’s not enough for the aspiring producer. Don’t shut us out. We need that publication!!!!!!!!!
Sep.18 at 1:43 pm
DJ YS says:
Riesgo If I get time I can scan my copy of the first issue, maybe we can put a site up for scratch fans w/ PDF’s of every issue. I have web space so I’m down.
hit me up on myspace
myspace.com/djysmusic
Sep.18 at 1:58 pm
tha future says:
whyyyyy….this was one of the best magazine i ever read and now they wanna take out of publication…why!!! www.myspace.com/djtriumph38
Sep.18 at 2:07 pm
rrr says:
man this sucks, i never got a subscription but i bought every issue since the dr dre issue, the first one, RIP… I felt lately that the magazine was kinda selling out with its covers (exp: the runners, dj khaled 2covers, will i am) and the format of the magazine changed like every issue. But the content of the magazine was always dope. You should continue SCRATCH online
Sep.18 at 3:12 pm
DJ YS says:
For real guys this mag had a big impact on my teenage years and my music career (as small as it is), hit me up and lets get this site going on to keeps its legacy a live and provide its wealth of info for those never able to experience it. Hit me up and lets do this!!
Sep.18 at 7:05 pm
KDubz says:
Say it ain’t so. This is the only hip hop magazine that I have purchased religiously. I have every issue and this terrible news makes no sense at all. There is no other magazine that fills this important niche (hip hop production). This is a sad day. Hopefully someone picks up where they left off soon and begins publising a new mag that is dedicated to the beats.
www.myspace.com/dizzubz
Sep.18 at 7:15 pm
Scratch Magazine shuts its doors... last issue coming up. - Crate Kings Hip-Hop Production, Beat Making, and Record Digging Forums says:
[…] Scratch Magazine shuts its doors… last issue coming up. Scratch mag is actually shutting its doors and will be gone for good. Scratch Magazine | The Blueprint of Hip-Hop | » SCRATCH: Is This The End? […]
Sep.18 at 7:53 pm
TWEEZY says:
WWHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?
Sep.18 at 8:55 pm
CROP DIGGIE says:
THIS REALLY SUCKS YOU GIVE PRODUCERS A MAG THAT GIVES THEM THE SPOTLIGHT AND NOW YOU TAKE IT AWAY, TAKE AWAY XXL THAT SHIT SUCKS, DISPLAY WACK ASS RAPPERS WITH NO FLOW AND VERY SELDOM DOES XXL DISPLAY ANYTHING ABOUT PRODUCERS. YOU GAVE US HOPE AND SOMETHING TO STRIVE FOR LIKE DUDE SAID A FEW BACK-I TO WAIT TWO MONTHS FOR THE MAG TO COME OUT AND READ IT FROM FRONT TO BACK-YOU CANT TAKE THE MAG AWAY FROM US THAT FUCKING SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sep.18 at 10:57 pm
Rich Nice says:
wow!!! So’ll I’ll never get to grace the pages of my favorite magazine!! This is a major loss for producers nationwide. I’m saying…y’all are bi-monthly. It’s bad enough we had to wait like we did, now this?!?!? Scrap the Hip Hop Soul mag but leave the Scratch. It’s a dark day. You young hustlas need to get your skills up and get the next magazine started just don’t mourn the loss, be a force for change. One.
Sep.18 at 11:52 pm
Gerald says:
my major client was interested in opening an ad account, and I told them the Bad news; they did not believe me. www.rawdoggtv.com
Sep.19 at 1:47 am
Q says:
this is bull shit, i buy all these mags from the store, this mag kept me in touch with things going on that producers, djs and beat makers attend, this is bull, yall should have stay indie, yall go to XXL and now it’s over, Thats bull shit, go back indie we need this mag….
Sep.19 at 2:03 am
ostrange says:
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PETE ROCK ANWSERS FOR ALL THE QUESTIONS I DONT SEE HIS NAME ANYWHERE ON THE COVER AND WHY ARE 50 & TIM ON THE COVER.PETE ROCK IS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE COVER IM GONNA BE VERY DISSAPOINTED IF THE PETE ROCK SECTION WAS SCRAPED
Sep.19 at 4:08 am
JEM says:
WHAT IS THE DEAL HERE??!!, IS IT BECAUSE YOU DON’T HAVE ANY BOOTY BOUNCIN’ IN THERE? I NOTICED YOU STARTED ADDING BACK COPIES OF KING MAGAZINE..WAS THAT TO INDUCE SALES OR WHAT?…IT’S A SAD SAD DAY FOR HIP. SCRATCH WAS WITHOUT DOUBT A MAGAZINE WAS ONE OF THE ONLY MAGAZINES NOT CATERING TO THE MINSTREL SHOW…DAMN!.WE WILL MOURN.
Sep.19 at 6:48 am
ABLAZE DA ARCHITEK says:
YO MAN, MY DREAM WAS TO GET A FEATURE IN THIS MAGAZINE! I JUST GOT A PLACEMENT ON HELL RELL’S NEW ALBUM “PAPERBOY” I COULD SEE EACH ISSUE GETTING FUTURE AWAY FROM WHAT YOU GUYS CREATED, BUT DAMN NOBODY WILLING TO PUT IN THE WORK? THIS SHIT IS SAD. HIP HOP IS BEING KILLED BY THE SAME PEOPLE WHO INVENTED IT. EVERYBODY BACKING OUT, CUZ IT’S NOT AS HYPE AS IT ONCE WUZ. GUESS THAT’S HOW THE GAME
GO.
Sep.19 at 7:40 am
Adam says:
I have never got any magizines untill i found out about this one this year. And now its gone. Now how am i gonna find out about cool equipment and what producers did for tracks….this magizine was the best
Sep.19 at 8:39 am
RazLDN says:
Scratch is the mag which has always inspired young producers as well as experienced. Will be sad to see it disappear. I would say, it is one of the most influential hip-hop publications to bless the mainstream.
Sep.19 at 9:50 am
illest says:
fuck scratch
they started out as something decent then succumbed to the pressure
Sep.19 at 10:21 am
Crillz Beatz says:
Say it ain’t so. This has been the only consistent outlet for all producers. Many up and coming producers have been inspired by this mag. Come on scratch and xxl, what do u need to keep the move alive. Holla @ me, www.myspace.com/crillzbeatz
Sep.19 at 3:56 pm
Orazio Del Core says:
R.I.P scratch magazine!!! Im going to miss You damme it!! I have all the issues except 4 the 10th issue with RZA on the cover But I won’t miss the last one thats for shure!! Peace / Orazio
Sep.19 at 7:03 pm
grand ave says:
dam, i dont even have all of the issues…. and it was your fault.. u failed to send me like three issues worth. never received them.. now you’re going out of business. just up the price of the subscription, we’ll pay. please?
Sep.19 at 11:31 pm
ThingAlec says:
So long Scratch! I am overcome with sadness at this. But you’ve had a hell of a run. And hopefully one day there will be another magazine that will do it as good as y’all did. Peace out guys. I’ll miss ya!
Sep.20 at 12:40 am
K.Dose says:
That has got to be the saddest fuckin news since Stack Bundles death. Really guys, i just hope that whole thing is a fuckin joke.
You mean to tell me that we just have to swallow that shit like that. Its kinna too late to backup guyz. Producers worldwide need you!!!
Sep.20 at 8:27 am
Dupes says:
Ok this OFFICIALLY SUCKS man I can’t even put it in words talk about BITTERSWEET. Today I learn Kanye trounces Fiddy and now the ONLY HIP HOP MAGAZINE that i read is gone, nah this cant be man it just cant be. This issue better be a FAT FAT one and needs to come with a box a cleanex. Well I hope the site can at least live on our something there has to be a solution. Dupes from Saint Lucia West Indies Out
Sep.20 at 11:48 am
Jason Rigg says:
One word, WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!
Sep.20 at 1:20 pm
Pirate7x says:
Damn…y’all better keep an online presence. This mag really got into the depth and actually inspired me to produce. Big respects and continue on another level. Florida Evans: damn-Damn-DAMN!…
Sep.20 at 3:35 pm
Lenny says:
WAY’S TO SAVE SCRATCH 1.Give people a free CD of loop’s for producer’s like hi-hat’s,paino,synth etc that you cant get any where else
2.Start addin some sex and have it still be about the music but like have 9th wonder next to a big bootyd puerto rican girl or Just Blaze near some boobies but still bout the tune’s
3.Have every producer with a large feature do a thing called”..Favorite Thing’s”like
car
watch suit
but still keep the music just show image’s of other stuff or run it online but the mag is still bettter cuz theres an anticapation
Sep.20 at 4:09 pm
Spesh K says:
dayum,,, this is unfortunate, i just mailed off my new CD for review, ,,, if y'’all wanna check the new bpu902 album “Keys to the Studio” bpu902.com will take you to our myspace,,, Canada will miss Scratch, Spesh K
search me on youtube bitches.. peace
Sep.20 at 4:57 pm
Suffolk VA LKP says:
Thanks for the good times and you will be sorely miss. To really have a magazine exclusively for hip hop heads like me old to the new. with none of them extra pages of useless facts. Good run keep your head up
Sep.20 at 9:25 pm
Rock BANANAZ says:
THIS IS SOME ‘OL BULLSHIT!!! Producers get a little bit of shine and now it’s over!?!? I’ve got every issue of SCRATCH and every time I read one, I was inspired to keep trying to perfect my craft and dream of one day getting on. I’m sure you guys were canceled because the Nickelodean crowd didn’t pick up on it. I’ll miss you guys and the insperation yall gave to everybody whose ever converted an garage or spare bed room into a beat makiong factory. damn,Damn, DAMN!!!
Sep.20 at 11:16 pm
Ak-Nolij says:
^^ Ditto what they all said….. This was the ONLY Hip Hop mag around worth reading…
Sep.21 at 12:59 am
J.Figg says:
Thas fukd bruh! I first opened a scratch mag less than 6mth ago. Damn I wish I could of found out about scratch sooner. I nvr liked readin but scratch changed that 4 me. Now its done…like that? r they gon keep the website or sumthin? FUCK, what happened?
Sep.21 at 5:47 am
Philip "Philmac" McAdams says:
What happened? Not enough readers to cover the cost of publication? I just would love to know. Gonna miss Scratch!! I looked forward to every issue. This makes me sad beacue you guys were the first to do this and I know nobody else is coming with a producers mag. Damn…
Sep.21 at 12:00 pm
Cream says:
Damm!!!!!!!!!!!Why the final issue!You’re the best magazine I know.I hope you come back.
Sep.21 at 12:23 pm
Mason'00 says:
Scratch will be back with a monthly 150+ page magazine in ‘08.
Sep.21 at 12:30 pm
Rich says:
…uhmm what about my recently renewed subscription? yall just gonna hold that money? i doubt ill get a response so ill take it up with my card company
Sep.21 at 5:41 pm
hater hurter says:
fucked up why yall shittin on us?
Sep.21 at 6:37 pm
T-Money says:
wtf damn only magazine worth copping these days hope somebody buy the magazine out where all them super producers now swizzy or just blaze help!!!!!!!!!!!
Sep.21 at 6:51 pm
Cream says:
Yo,if you don’t come back,I quess The Source is gonna come something similar or better than Scratch.
Sep.22 at 10:22 am
FOURTY says:
I saw this one comin a long, long time ago. The moment they started puttin rappers on the covers it was a wrap. The 1st issue was THE best issue cuz it was Scratch magazine in it’s rawest form before sales numbers messed with the formula. The only thing I’m mad at is that when I get on, now I won’t be able to make the cover…. but said that, cats like Pete Rock didn’t make it so maybe I should jus chill!
Sep.23 at 10:12 am
FireMan says:
DAMN! I got er’1, from the first and I’m definitely gonna get the last. Best Mag ever!
Sep.25 at 8:55 am
Rightous Bassman says:
To all the editors and writers of Scratch: I hope you are reading the comments from all these people who were inspired by your mag. Do something about this for music!!!
Sep.27 at 7:19 pm
Dj MiL says:
Fuck the money! Fuck the politics! Do it cause u LOVE it!
Oct.9 at 7:05 am
Rigid says:
Dj Premier,Lord Finnesse,Pete Rock,Jazzy Jeff?
Oct.13 at 6:11 pm
Jezzy says:
No, please, dont do this. I need you scratch magazine.
Oct.13 at 6:21 pm
Jezzy says:
Why? for the love of God and Hop Hop.
Oct.17 at 7:32 pm
djwiz1 says:
We didn’t get to Howie Tee’s or Pete Rock’s labs yet. How about Eddie F., Teddy Riley? Damn it!
Oct.23 at 2:59 pm
Rigid says:
Yall do mean the last one of 07′right……If so brang 08′N with
an official cover!
Dec.13 at 3:13 pm
Frizzo says:
WTF!?!?! I’ve subscribed for over two years now. The longest magazine I’ve ever subscribed to. I found Scratch to be really informative and helpful as a producer and artist. This really sucks. Where the hell am I gonna go to now? No other mag does what you “did”…
Jan.27 at 11:31 pm
ROBlow says:
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hip-Hop no one really loves her, they just date, hit it and leave! Hears to the best mag that ever reped HIp-Hop producers!
Feb.10 at 9:14 pm
Stephen says:
Damn! One of the best magazines published for us aspiring producers strictly. Some of the best articles I’ve ever read. We need to right a petition to XXL explaining what Scratch meant to us and why the magazine should continue to be published. Scratch ain’t dead…ITS ALIVE!
Feb.15 at 4:58 pm
E-Moe says:
Man this is or was the best magazine I ever seen in a long time. I’m mad as hell to hear that this will be the last issue. I’ve been a magazine junky for years, and as a producer, SCRATCH is the best thing that ever happen to me. Well I guess this is a farewell, and I’m on the hunt for the last issue. It’s a must I have it. Maybe one day it’ll be worth alot. Have a good one.
Feb.16 at 12:52 pm
J-Reyn. says:
Man, what’s up with that???! This was the only mag I really sat down and read like a book. This mag. was a great help to all up and coming producers as well as seasond vets. I hope you can, no, you will bring it back. Peace.
Feb.19 at 10:23 am
Wil says:
Not much I can say that the above didnt already say before me. Just let me echo the fact that there were alot of folks that really really dug this publication and it will be missed
Feb.20 at 12:14 pm
Big E says:
Ive been looking for the new issue since the last one droped, and now i come to find out that was the last issue…thank u for fucking up my day…this was my favorite magazine ever…it still seems to be a little untrue…i purchased every copy i could get my hands on…
Feb.21 at 7:35 pm
strezs says:
thats f*$ked up man!Ive been looking for the mag since I moved out here to Minn and couldn’t find it! I C why!@#it done CHANGED!!!!
Feb.25 at 9:34 pm
gary d says:
Scratch was killin it the 1st year it came out! I was all about it. After that every issue got worse and worse!!! to the point where I couldn’t even read anything in an issue! Eventually the whole mag was straight garbage! F’in sell outs! thats what happens when you sell out, hot for a min. then you fall like the rest. I am not suprised this will be the last issue. Its about time they stopped printing this garbage!
Mar.7 at 10:41 pm
Halfkraze says:
Big deal!!!! I got more out of rap pages “so you wanna be a producer” article page than this mag entire volume. True Talks!!!
Mar.8 at 2:53 am
charlez bronsun says:
DAMN. It’z like YO!MTV RAPS all over again!!!!! Shit,….ya’ll held it down like CHAMPS though. More power to you ALL in whatever paths you take, and keep shit REAL. That’z what’z up wit it!!!!!!
Mar.8 at 11:02 am
Beat banger says:
man yall were starting to get weak anyway, putting half way artist on with with producer who cater to fads, come on yall should of known what was going soon as yall started putting that stupid xxl logo on next to scratch yall cursed yourselfs. Its a shame cause i really loved your magazine before all the bling.
Mar.9 at 3:17 pm
Scratch Magazine Is Dead! says:
[…] September 18, 2007Scratch Magazine Is Dead! Coming straight from the Scratch Magazine website… Issue #20 featuring 50 Cent & Timbaland will be the last ever published! […]
Mar.10 at 5:12 pm
rhmhntr says:
Not to take anything away fom these artists I love the music and will always support the music but food for thought why not make music with a gosple artist like Kirk Franklin we need JESUS not more gangstas the hood is full of them hungry, poor, and misguided peolw who think that after you get that money that you’ll care about where you come from! don’t just do things for children for spotlights. Try going into prision, and phisical rehabs to try and repair lives that Gangsta Rap has created We Need That not all that stupid foolishness abot watches, rings, bling and concepts we can’t grasp. Try building schools, or helters, hospitials , or creating crop so people can have employment instead of incarseration!!! rhmhntrd@yahoo.com
Mar.28 at 5:05 pm
Von says:
I just found out about the last magazine. Thats disappointing b/c Scratch is the realest hip-hop mag. It’s very educational for DJs and Producers, and it’s not trash like those other soft porn flooded hip hop magazins are. Bring Scratch back PLEASE!!!
Mar.30 at 10:40 pm
Mr. Ed says:
Now what am i gonna read. VIBE is boring and full of commercials….. SOURCE - i havent bought an issue since 2003……..
WHY! WHY DO THEY TAKE THE GOOD ONES AWY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Apr.1 at 1:43 pm
moses says:
I wanted to know if there was any way to get any issues that were already published? If so how would I go about that?
Apr.1 at 9:48 pm
SQUID says:
f*ck this sh*t, im moving to canada.
Apr.3 at 1:18 am
KurtCurt says:
On da Real, Ya need to stop playing with niggas emotions (lol). U know ur coming out with more issues. You cant just leave us like that!!!!
Apr.3 at 7:04 pm
D says:
WTF????? no wonder I couldn’t find a copy of Scratch after going to the book store 5 times in the past couple of months. Damn, didn’t think of checking the website until now. F*CK. You guys were great though. Man, just when I thought about subscribing.
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