Brooklyn’s Astronomical Force – The Eclipse You’ll Never Miss!!

Brooklyn’s Astronomical Force – The Eclipse You’ll Never Miss!!

It’s 2002, I paint my toenails and watch which ever clip ABC’s “Rage” demands of me. I contemplate switching channels but the remote is an all too far forearm extension away. Instead, I turn my attention to a bag of chips and dip and in my momentary distraction (the entire bag), find my head bopping, my toes tapping. “What is this track?”

“It’s Going Down” by the X-Ecutioners featuring Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park), didn’t take long to become a favourite. In fact, it even inspired some rather rigorous dance sessions in my bedroom so it’s not overly surprising that when I heard they were touring Australia in October 2008 I bought a ticket and dragged my best-friend. Now, I’m neither the most responsible of people nor the most logical. Some might say that purchasing a ticket to see a group you know nothing about based on the love of one track you heard six years prior might be a daft move and let’s face it… it is.

Ironically it was quite the opposite in this case. It was genius actually, so now in 2010 I feel nothing but compelled to tell you a little about DJ Total Eclipse of the X-Ecutioners since he’s currently here in Oz.

The very first International Turntablist Federation (ITF) Champion in 1996, Total Eclipse can blame the never ending demand of his talents on his highly entertaining sets that not only showcase his advanced skills through his innovation and creativity but allow you to experience the music you already love in a myriad of ways. With the passion he displays on the decks, it’s really no wonder he still rocks crowds the world over on tour, at clubs, festivals and corporate parties for the likes of Maxim, Nike, MTV and BET.

Wait… there’s more.

As an original member of one of the most revered and accomplished DJ groups in history (X-Men/X-Ecutioners) and now a member of ILL INSANITY, the last two decades have credited Total Eclipse with helping to create and shape the future of Turntablism. Like that wasn’t enough, he collaborated over this period with heavily esteemed artists like Mike Patton (Faith No More), Miri Ben-Ari, Jay-Z, Organised Konfusion, Cypress Hill and Kool G Rap and consequently forged a career so respected that he is now synonymous with Turntablism.

Total Eclipse is not just a DJ. He is an artist dedicated to elevating his craft. Now that you know a bit about what he does and who he is, you can pay to see this man with the confidence of a porn star taking a pubescent boy’s virginity and lose yourself in an underrated art-form via one of its most renowned artists.

Below is a sneak peek into the mind of an international legend and guess what? He loves us!!

 
GO: You’ve been here a few times now. What do you love about the Urban scene in Australia?
 
I love the Urban scene in Australia because they are very supportive about what I do and my accomplishments as a delegator in Turntablism and as a well rounded DJ. This makes me very proud and I feel honoured as it keeps me inspired to keep pushing the gas pedal for greatness for the X-Ecutioners to represent as one of the forefronts of the element we represent in Hip Hop.
 
GO: Being a Turntablist is hard work. How do you stay motivated?
 
Doin’ shows, spinning in clubs, being around fans and talking about different types of music they like from not only my sets but from other DJ’s. Hip Hop is a melting pot of various genres of music from the past and present whether it would be from Rock to Reggae which I love to incorporate when I play on stage or in a club giving the people what they wanna hear and adding my signature style to it.
 
GO: What is your view on the current state of Hip Hop?
 
It’s very exciting at the moment because of all the different styles and the market that is developing at this current day. Being that we are going into a new decade, it’s the perfect time for Hip Hop to take a more conscious approach creatively but still have fun representing an art-form to its full capacity and potential.
 
GO: Your career brings satisfaction in many forms. What’s your favourite part of what you do?
 
The creative steps I take from having an idea, being influenced by not only other Turntablists but also by other MC’s, B-Boys or any sort of poetry or creative form that I really admire which helps me work harder at what I do to let the audience decide and appreciate which keeps my hunger and desire alive to help me realize I was built for this. 
 

GO: Who/what can we thank as being your main influences?
 
Hmmm, the local homies from my neighbourhood in Brooklyn, New York that were great at what they did and very popular as DJs, MCs, Basketball players...and Handball players. That really helped me enter various DJ battles in my local city for me to gain recognition towards people who I looked up to, like my partner Rob Swift. I initially met him in my first DJ battle which I won in so many ways; by being the best DJ of the night, and developing a friendship with one of my favourite pioneers. This gave me opportunities to reach a level I never would have thought I could accomplish by being around such great talent as Roc Raida (R.I.P), Mista Sinista, Precision and Boogie Blind.