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Mix Master Mike
Mix Master Mike

Birth name

Michael Schwartz

Born

4 April 1970 (age 45)

Origin

San Francisco, California, United States

Genres

Hip hop, turntablism

Occupation

Turntablist, DJ

Years active

1989-present

Labels

Grand Royal, Capitol

Associated acts

Beastie Boys, DJ QBert, Invisibl Skratch Piklz

Michael Schwartz (born 4 April 1970), better known by his stage name Mix Master Mike, is an American turntablist from San Francisco, California. He is best known for his work with the Beastie Boys and was their tour DJ from 1998 until their dissolution in 2012 after the death of member MCA.

Mix Master Mike first came to prominence upon winning the 1992 New Music Seminar/Supermen Inc. DJ Battle for World Supremacy in New York City, becoming the first West Coast DJ to ever do so. In the same year, his turntablism collective Rock Steady DJs won the DMC World DJ Championships, establishing Mix Master Mike as one of the most prominent DJs in the industry. This success was followed by triumph in the 1993 DMC Championships, this time as part of a duo with DJ QBert. Mix Master Mike and Qbert subsequently formed the turntablist group Invisibl Skratch Piklz with DJ Apollo.

Mike is known for his heavy-hitting bass and intricate scratch routines. He is credited with creating the tweak scratch, which is performed by moving the record back and forth while the platter motor is stopped. 

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