ARTIST INFO

 

Paul Bruce a.k.a. DJ First Rate first got introduced into scratching in 1984 by a close friend Jeremy Woszle, by showing him the 2&8 Break video. Totally being stoked by this video First Rate spent the next five- six years in his room scratching for up to 5 hours a day. Working part time to save up for his first turntable.

First Rate was addicted to scratching, in those hours he spent in his room he was creating a new style of scratching which no one yet had laid ears or eyes on. Within the 5 years of practicing he did not once do any shows, only recording with Kilos SIN Visual graphics Video, which enabled him to launch his beginning. The first English battle was with Cut Master swift, Pogo and DJ Business, alongside the Southeast mixing championship. Things began to happen and DJ First Rate then joined a crew called Scratch Perverts, which lead them and him to win numerous titles through out the world.

To the dismay of many Scratch Pervert fans they broke and First Rate joined up with Morcheeba on their Big Calm tour performing in front of 35000 people supporting Iggy Pop, Nina Cherry, and Republica, which he recalls being one of his finest moments. This was a massive transformation from doing small hip-hop gigs to doing large pop arenas. He also made several TV appearances, touring extensively around England and Europe. DJ First Rate can also be heard on their album.

After Morcheeba, First Rate got together with John Carter and Monkey Mafia touring for another 2 years supporting Massive attack. This time around they toured house festivals in England and Europe. He was also now doing numerous shows in his own right. First Rate kept on going. He then joined up with the jazz funk band US3 touring festivals in England, Europe and also making several TV appearances in England, Europe and Japan. This lasted 2 years with him then linking up with DJ Vadim. For the first time this took First Rate to America. Whilst touring with Vadim he made numerous TV appearances and then went on to play on the club circuits and festivals in England and in Europe. He is now currently touring with Blade of Mark B and Blade. Since His break from Scratch Perverts, First Rate has released two Battle Weapons, Laying Cables and Doin Da Dishes, which can be purchased on second to none records. He has also recorded on Morcheeba, US 3, Vadeem, Blades and Regular Fries albums. First Rate has been a guest numerous times on Radio 1, and he has also hit radio stations in America, Japan and Europe. He has more or less travelled the world opening many listeners’ eyes and ears to his unique and creative styles.

 

From 2005 onwards First Rate split up wit Morcheeba and is focusing on his future projects like  his new album "walky talky" on scenerio records, a limited sneaker edition and his freshest release in Summer 2007. But this has to be kept as a secret!!

 

History:

Titles: 1999 World DMC Team Champion, 1998 ITF European Scratching Champion, 1998 ITF Team Champion.
 
Singles/Albums/Remixes: Grand Master Flash - Adventures on the Wheels of Steel, Somatic - No. 9 (with Immortal), Loretta - Hypnotised (with Mr. Thing), Morcheeba - Fragments of Freedom, Regular Fries, Ben Braund's Placidhouse & US3.
 
Acts supported: Beastie Boys, Paul Weller, Massive Attack, Ben Braund's Placidhouse, Monkey Mafia, Bombay Monkey, Morcheeba, Run DMC, Most Def, De La Soul, MIx Master Mike, Roni Size, Jurassic 5 & US3.
 
Radio & TV: includes TFI Friday (Channel 4, UK), The Priory (BBC2, UK), Jools Holland (BBC 2, UK) & Trevor Nelson (BBC 2, UK).
 
Some gig highlights: Creamfields, Glastonbury, Homelands, Big Beat Boutique, Ministry of Sound, Gatecrasher, Fabric, Scratch, Brixton Academy, The Forum, Astoria, Crystal Palace, Manumission (Ibiza), Ham St. Ballroom (NYC), Raleigh Studios (LA), Paridisio (Amsterdam), Club 16 (Moscow), NYC Town Hall (NYC), Reality (Jo'burg), Zenith (Paris)...