A Hip-Hop remix of Abdel-Majeed Abdallah's (عبدالمجيد عبدالله) Martah (مرتاح) by Haroon Al-Qahtani. The a high quality MP3 can be downloaded here: http://homepage.mac.com/alqahtani/.Public/martah.mp3 For more beats and mixes visit: http://homepage.mac.com/alqahtani/

In continuation of my last demo with the Handy Trax demonstrating scratching and mixing, here is a demo showing some basic juggling with Otis Redding's "Tramp" and Sly and the Family Stone's "Sing a Simple Song." Enjoy!

A Hip-Hop remix of Isaac Hayes' "Theme from Shaft" strictly for the B-Boys. The video includes classic footage from Wattstax, Shaft, Wild Style and other classics paying tribute to Mr. Hayes' contributions to Hip-Hop culture. This remix is the introduction to a mix entitled "A Hip-Hop Tribute to Isaac Hayes," that can be downloaded in full at the following link: http://homepage.mac.com/alqahtani/.Public/tribute-to-isaac-hayes.mp3 The remix featured in this video by itself can be downloaded at the following link: http://homepage.mac.com/alqahtani/.Public/shaft-bboy-remix.mp3 For other videos, mixtapes, beats, remixes, and mode visit: http://homepage.mac.com/alqahtani/

Getting busy on the vintage and cheesy Casio VL-1 with the esteemed Oberheim DX on drums. You don't need the latest and greatest to make a tight groove. No MIDI here (though a CV to MIDI converter for the DX would be a very nice addition!) For more information about each unit visit the following links: http://www.vintagesynth.com/casio/vl1.shtml http://www.vintagesynth.com/oberheim/dx.shtml For more beats, videos, mixtapes, and more visit: http://homepage.mac.com/alqahtani/

My house remix of RZA's "U Can't Stop Me Now" synced with the original video. Download the full remix, with both verses at the following address: http://homepage.mac.com/alqahtani/.Public/web/u-cant-stop-me-now.mp3 For more beats, videos, and mixtapes visit: http://homepage.mac.com/alqahtani/

This is a short demo of what the MPC-500 can do. I bought the MPC so I can try out ideas while listening to vinyl without playing around with software such as Recycle and Reason. I do virtually all my beats on the MPC now after getting accustomed to it. For more beats, videos, mixes, and more visit: http://homepage.mac.com/alqahtani/

The following is a demo of a circuit bent Casio RZ-1. The Casio RZ-1 was an early sampling drum machine released in 1986, around the same time as the venerable SP12. Like the SP12, the RZ-1 samples in low-fi quality, giving it a distinct, crunchy sound. The RZ-1 has a total of 0.8 seconds sampling time, which can be divided into 4 0.2 second banks, two 0.4 second banks, or one 0.8 bank. Banks 1/2 and 3/4 have their own faders and outputs respectively. Each built-in drum sound also has a designated fader and output (some, such as the closed and open hi-hat share the same output/fader). This particular RZ-1 was circuit bent by Diabolical Devices. While it's not a feature I use often as a primarily Hip-Hop producer, it's always nice to have options. For more information about the RZ-1 visit this link: http://www.vintagesynth.com/casio/rz1.shtml For more examples of circuit bent devices visit: http://circuit-bent.com/ For more of my own beats, mixes, videos, and more visit: http://homepage.mac.com/alqahtani/

Dr. Abdel-Moniem El-Ganayni was a nuclear physicist employed by Bettis Laborites between 1990 and 2008. In 2007 Dr. El-Ganayni's security clearance was revoked due to his political statements and religious commitment. Dr. El-Ganayni has resided in the United States for almost 30 years, and helped to establish one of the area's largest Muslim institutions, the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh. For more information regarding Dr. El-Ganayni's case please visit: http://www.aclu.org/freespeech/gen/35789prs20080626.html The above footage is from WXPI evening news.

Dr. Abdel-Moniem El-Ganayni was a nuclear physicist employed by Bettis Laborites between 1990 and 2008. In 2007 Dr. El-Ganayni's security clearance was revoked due to his political statements and religious commitment. Dr. El-Ganayni has resided in the United States for almost 30 years, and helped to establish one of the area's largest Muslim institutions, the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh. For more information regarding Dr. El-Ganayni's case please visit: http://www.aclu.org/freespeech/gen/35789prs20080626.html This footage was captured from the KDKA evening news.

Next to Roland's TR-808, the Oberheim DX and DMX are classic Hip-Hop drum machines. The Oberheim DX differed from the 808 in that it used actual drum samples rather than synthetic sounds. Released in 1984, the DX has found its way into too many tracks to mention in hip-hop, dance, rock, and pop music. The machine's bigger brother, the DMX, provided the moniker for old school producer Davy DMX (not to be confused with rapper DMX, who claims his acronym stands for "Dark Man X.") If you're from the old school you know these sounds, and you love them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap_Uk5HalEE

The Vestax Handy Trax is a battery or AC powered portable turntable designed primarily for digging in the crates. At first glance one might not think it's capable of being used for scratching or mixing though. In this video you'll see that this $139 plastic turntable with a 7" platter is actually no slouch. Hey, it's better than the Gemini turntables I had almost 15 years ago! While I bought this primary for digging at locations with no listening booths, my space is limited. I oftentimes need a second turntable but just don't have room for one. I can stow away the Handy Trax in the corner and pull it out whenever needed.

Drum machines and synths such as the Korg Kaossilator and the Boss DR-202 can be useful for impromptu scratch routines or practice. They can also come in handy during mix sets for transitions or during periods where one cannot, or does not want to play a song. In this video a late model Boss drum machine is used in unison with a Kaossilator. The DR-202 provides the bass and drums, while the Kaossilator plays the piano keys. The following equipment was used in this demo: Boss DR-202 Drum Machine Korg Kaossilator Synthesizer Vestax PMC-05 Pro III Mixer Stanton T60X /w Shure M44-7 Cartridge The DR-202's strength in my opinion is its ability to emulate some of Roland's classic drum machines, such as the TR-808 and 909. It can also produce some 303-like basslines. Although it's no longer in production it can be obtained used from about $75-150.

This is a quick demo I put together of Korg's Kaossilator that shows how it can be used as a DJ tool. My primary use for it is to add some cool sound effects into my DJ sets, but it's also nice for pounding out a quick beat when you want to just scratch a bit, but are tired of the same old loops and instrumentals. In about a minute you can have something ready just by turning a dial and pressing the touchpad a few times. Equipment in use during demo: Korg Kaossilator Stanton T60X /w Shure M44-7 cartridge Vestax PMC-05 Pro III Boss Space Echo RE-20 Enjoy!

This is part two of my Stanton c314 demo, which adds a Stanton t60x into the mix (no pun intended). I decided to do another demo because of the enormous amount of feedback I've received from the first. I've upgraded the SMX-201 with a Vestax PMC-05 Pro III; the SMX's crossfader was far too noisy and did not take abuse well, nor did the mixer have a curve adjust, limiting my ability some. I've also upgraded my Shure M25C cart to an M44-7 and added a Roland RE-20 Space Echo. I would have gone with a higher end Stanton mixer but none of them had effects send/receive. Those who do need outboard effects would probably be satisfied with a Stanton SA-3. For an MP3 version of the performance visit: http://homepage.mac.com/alqahtani/.Public/c314-t60-demo-pt2.mp3 Sorry that the levels get a bit hot in some places. For more beats, mixes, and mashups visit: http://homepage.mac.com/alqahtani/

Does one *really* need the venerable Technics 1200 anymore? A lot has changed in ten years, and my answer is no. The Stanton t60 and t60x are identical turntables (the former comes with a cart while the other does not). In this video I demo the t60, and also pit it against Stanton's c314 CD deck. See how the two perform in scratching. I am using a Shure M25C cartridge, Shure's entry level cart that goes for about $30.

If you've listened to any of my mixtapes I've always made it clear that Hip-Hop is about how something is packaged, not necessarily a finite genre. Here is another example. A live mix, with one turntable, of Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, and Pink Floyd, with special appearances by Richard Pryor and Fab Five Freddy. Equipment present: 2 Stanton c314 CD decks, 1 Stanton T60X turntable with Shure M25C cartridge, Stanton SMX201 mixer. Enjoy! The Stanton T60X has just replaced the wretched Gemini XL-DD50II I /was/ using. An MP3 of this performance can be downloaded here: http://homepage.mac.com/alqahtani/.Public/classic-rock-mix.mp3

A live megamix of 60s classics: Otis Redding's "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay," Ben E. King's "Stand by Me," Aretha Franklin's "Respect," Four Tops' "Baby I Need Your Lovin'," and finally "The Flesh Failures (Let the Sunshine In)" by Rado, Kellogg, Moore and Company. Remember these records were made with live drummers, who may go from 115 BPM to 118 BPM in one song. Imagine how tough early DJs had it to spin all night, especially in the disco era! Equipment present: two Stanton c314 CD decks, one Gemini XL-DD50II turntable (this will be replaced soon!), and a Stanton smx201 mixer. An MP3 of the performance can be downloaded here: http://homepage.mac.com/alqahtani/.Public/60s-mix.mp3 I started DJing again after a 10 year break a little over a month ago. Luckily, it seems to be like riding a bike for me.

My cat, which was never given a name, shows how she gets busy on the turntables. Introducing the cat scratch.

Mustafa Hassain, founder of the Nation of Islam in Pittsburgh speaks about his early relationship with boxer Muhammad Ali. This is omitted footage from the documentary entitled "An Oral History of Islam in Pittsburgh."

Part two of this documentary looks at the Nation of Islam's relationship in Pittsburgh, including frequent visits by Malcolm X, and the nation's evolution toward a more traditional Islam. Finally, the film moves to the 70's and early 80's, when immigrant Muslims began to intermingle with indigenous Muslims and form their own communities. Also, time is spent to look at Muslims' current situation in Pittsburgh and search for solutions to improve the Muslim community.