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Mix Master Mike
Mix Master Mike
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Key Information

Michael Schwartz (born April 4, 1970), known professionally as Mix Master Mike (also known as Mixmaster), is an American record producer and DJ. He is considered one of the greatest hip hop DJs of all time. He was a contributing and touring member of the hip hop group Beastie Boys, and a three-time DMC World DJ Champion.

Life and career

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Born in San Francisco, California, Mix Master Mike is of German and Filipino descent.[1] Mix Master Mike 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 ever to do so. In the same year Mix Master Mike won the DMC World DJ Championships as a member of the turntablism collective Rock Steady DJs with DJ Qbert and DJ Apollo, establishing Mix Master Mike as one of the pre-eminent DJs in the industry. This success was followed by triumph in the 1993 DMC Championships, this time as part of the duo Dream Team with DJ Qbert.[2]

Mix Master Mike, DJ Qbert, and DJ Apollo were the founding members of the turntablist group Invisibl Skratch Piklz.[3]

In 1994 it was rumored that Mix Master Mike and Q-Bert were asked to retire from further competition, so as to avoid monopolizing the title.[3][4] This claim is disputed by the DMC World Championship Website[citation needed]. After retiring from the world of competitive turntablism, Mix Master Mike and Qbert became judges for the 1995 DMC Championships.

Mike has also helped fellow DJs produce their own albums, most notably, Wave Twisters, by DJ Q-bert.

In 1995, he was honored with The Grand Wizzard Theodore lifetime achievement award from the International Turntablist Federation. He has collaborated with Ozzy Osbourne, Tommy Lee, Rob Zombie, Fela Kuti and Joss Stone, and a number of other artists[citation needed].

Mix Master Mike's most high-profile work has been with hip-hop group the Beastie Boys. Mix Master Mike worked with the band on Hello Nasty (1998), To The 5 Boroughs (2004), and Hot Sauce Committee Part Two (2011). He also appears on the Beastie Boys single "Alive", which was released in 1999 in support of The Sounds of Science retrospective anthology. From the studio to world tours, Mix Master Mike is now effectively the Beastie Boys' resident DJ, having replaced DJ Hurricane, who was preceded by Doctor Dré (not to be confused with Dr. Dre) who replaced Rick Rubin known as DJ Double R.

Mix Master Mike is known for his heavy-hitting bass and intricate scratch routines. His solo album Eye of the Cyklops won best electronic album in 2000 at the California music awards. In 2001 he released the album Spin Psychle.[5]

In 2002, Mix Master Mike contributed two tracks to Red Hot + Riot, a compilation CD created by the Red Hot Organization in tribute to the music and work of Nigerian musician, Fela Kuti, that raised money for various charities devoted to raising AIDS awareness and fighting the disease and featured many other contemporary hip-hop and R&B artists. He remade classic Fela Kuti songs, "Interlude: Gimme Shit" and "Water No Get Enemy."

Mix Master Mike is often credited with inventing the Tweak Scratch. The scratch is performed by moving the record back and forth while the platter motor is stopped. The inertia of the platter causes the sounds to slow and drop in pitch in an unusual manner. He is also well known for the unusual technique of using a wah-wah pedal, an effect most commonly used by guitarists, with his turntables.

Mix Master Mike is featured as a secret character that can be obtained through a cheat code in the 2002 snowboarding game SSX Tricky. He also contributed the song "Patrol Knob" to the soundtrack of the NTSC and PAL versions of the 2000 game Jet Grind Radio.

Mix Master Mike is one of 9 artists who participated in thetruth.com's Remix Project, in which he remixed the Sunny Side song "Tough Love".

On March 9, 2010 Mix Master Mike was a guest on the Cool Tricks segment of Yo Gabba Gabba. In December, Mix Master Mike provided scratches for a cover of Frank Zappa's "Willie the Pimp", which appeared on the iTunes compilation The Frank Zappa AAAFNRAAAA Birthday Bundle 2010, featuring rappers Darryl McDaniels and Talib Kweli and singing by Zappa's son, Ahmet Zappa. On Dec 2nd 2010, Skullcandy and Mix Master Mike launched the official Mix Master Mike headphones, released in all major marketplaces including Apple stores, worldwide.

In 2011, Mix Master Mike has joined Travis Barker for a few performances promoting Travis' debut album Give the Drummer Some - On February 10, 2011, performing "Can a Drummer Get Some?" on Jimmy Kimmel Live! with Travis Barker, Game and Swizz Beatz, and On March 7, 2011, performing "Saturday Night" on Conan with Travis Barker, Transplants and Elvis Cortez. It was then confirmed that Mix Master Mike will be performing with Barker again, joining Barker on his I Am Music Tour supporting Lil Wayne, through March–April 2011.

In June 2011 it was announced that he was to present a Saturday night show on the alternative radio network Xfm from 6pm-7pm for an initial 13-week period commencing July 9. In May 2012 Beastie boys along with Mix Master Mike were inducted into the Rock n roll Hall of fame in Cleveland Ohio. In December 2013 Mix Master Mike became the first turntablist to perform at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for The Kennedy Center Honors in honor of Herbie Hancock, performing "Rockit"

In 2018, it was announced by BReal of Cypress Hill that Mix Master Mike would be joining Cypress Hill.

In 2019, Mix Master Mike performed alongside Cypress Hill at a free concert in Vancouver, British Columbia at Vancouver's 420 Cannabis Festival to a crowd of 60,000 people despite efforts by the Vancouver Parks board to cancel the show.[6]

Discography

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Albums

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  • Juko (1991)
  • Anti-Theft Device (1998)
  • Eye of the Cyklops (2000)
  • Spin Psycle (2001)
  • Return of the Cyklops (2002)
  • Bangzilla (2004)
  • NaPALM ROCKETS (DubStep) (2010)
  • The Magma Chamber (2015)
  • Conquest (2019)
  • Beat Odyssey 2020 (2020)

EPs, singles, and Mixtapes

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  • Neck Thrust One
  • Rescue 916
  • Terrorwrist Delivery Service
  • Memoirs of a Serial Wax Killer
  • Mixmasterpiece: Muzik's Worst Nightmare (1996)
  • Surprise Packidge (1999)
  • 30 Minute Massacre (2001)
  • Plazma Ryfle (2015)
  • Live! Beatdown volume 1 (2006)
  • The Bolt-117 (2012)

Awards and credentials

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  • DMC World Champion 1992 - Rock Steady DJs (Apollo, Qbert, and MixMaster Mike)[2]
  • DMC World Champion 1993/1994 - Dreamteam (Mixmaster Mike and Qbert)[2]
  • Featured in Hang the DJ by Marco & Mauro La Villa

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Michael Schwartz (born April 4, 1970), better known by his stage name Mix Master Mike, is an American turntablist, DJ, and record producer renowned for his pioneering contributions to techniques and his role as the official DJ for the . Of Ashkenazi Jewish and Filipino descent, he was born and raised in the , where he began developing his skills in the late 1980s as part of the local hip-hop scene. Mix Master Mike first gained international prominence in 1992 as the inaugural West Coast winner of the New Music Seminar DJ Battle for World Supremacy in , marking a breakthrough for on the national stage. He achieved further acclaim through three consecutive DMC World DJ Championship titles, solidifying his status as one of the era's top scratch DJs, often collaborating with fellow Bay Area artists like in crews such as the and Rock Steady DJs. In 1998, he joined the , contributing scratches and production to their album , which won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album in 1999; the single "Intergalactic" from the album earned the Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group that year and helped elevate 's mainstream visibility. Beyond his championship pedigree, Mix Master Mike remixed the theme song for the Cartoon Network series Teen Titans Go!, while performing at high-profile events including the 2010 Winter Olympics and the 2016 . His solo work includes the 1998 album Anti-Theft Device, and he has collaborated with artists such as and , contributing to Grammy-nominated projects. He performed at the 2012 Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the and, as of 2025, continues to innovate in DJing, VR experiences, and live , including recent benefit shows and tours, maintaining influence in hip-hop and electronic music.

Early Years

Birth and Heritage

Michael Schwartz, known professionally as Mix Master Mike, was born on April 4, 1970, in the , . His ethnic heritage reflects a blend of German and Jewish ancestry from his father's side (of Ashkenazi Jewish descent) and Filipino from his mother's side, shaping a multicultural upbringing in the diverse Bay Area community. Growing up in a working-class in urban during the and , Schwartz was immersed in the vibrant sounds of the city's evolving music scene. His early exposure to music came through his uncle's record collection, particularly and vinyls that played frequently in the home, igniting his initial fascination with recorded sound and rhythms. This environment, combined with the street culture of San Francisco—including breakdancing crews and local gatherings—introduced him to the burgeoning hip-hop movement, further fueling his passion for music before he transitioned to hands-on DJing.

Introduction to Turntablism

Mix Master Mike, born Michael Schwartz in 1970 and raised in , discovered DJing around age 14 in 1984 through his involvement in the local b-boying and breaking scene, where school friends introduced him to hip-hop elements at neighborhood parties. This exposure ignited his interest, particularly after witnessing Grandmixer D.ST's groundbreaking performance on Herbie Hancock's "Rockit" during a television appearance on , which he later described as his "first introduction to this futuristic art of music manipulation called ." Initially self-taught, he began experimenting with pause mixing techniques using two Teac cassette decks to blend tracks at varying tempos, a method that allowed him to create seamless transitions without professional equipment. As his skills developed, he borrowed mismatched turntables—a Garrard and a JVC—along with a basic, faderless battery-powered mixer, practicing foundational scratching techniques such as baby scratches and chirps to build rhythm and control. His key influences included pioneering figures like Grand Wizzard Theodore, widely recognized as the inventor of scratching in 1975, whose innovations laid the groundwork for turntablism, as well as local Bay Area DJs from the vibrant mobile crews that dominated the region's hip-hop culture in the mid-1980s. By age 16, around 1986, Mix Master Mike transitioned to early performances, providing informal DJ sets at house parties, school events, and local gatherings in , where he honed his speed and precision amid the competitive energy of the Bay Area scene. These gigs, often in garage settings with peers, served as crucial training grounds, allowing him to refine his improvisational style and adapt to live audiences before advancing to more structured environments.

Career

1990s Breakthrough

Mix Master Mike gained national recognition in 1992 by winning the New Music Seminar DJ Battle for World Supremacy in , becoming the first West Coast DJ to claim the title and showcasing his innovative techniques in a high-stakes freestyle . This victory marked his entry into the professional scene, where he competed against top talents like in head-to-head battles that highlighted complex routines blending hip-hop beats with precise vinyl manipulation. Building on this momentum, Mix Master Mike achieved a historic at the , winning in 1992 as part of the Rock Steady DJs alongside DJ Q-Bert and DJ Apollo, and then in 1993 and 1994 as the duo Dream Team with DJ Q-Bert. At age 24 during the 1994 win, he solidified his status as one of the youngest multiple-time champions, with performances that pushed the boundaries of through synchronized and beat-juggling that influenced global DJ culture. These consecutive triumphs elevated his profile, leading organizers to request his retirement from competition to allow new talent to emerge. In 1989, Mix Master Mike co-formed the with DJ Q-Bert and DJ Apollo, a pioneering all-turntable crew dedicated to elevating as a through collaborative routines and battle performances. The group focused on innovative techniques like harmonic scratching and group , performing at such as the 1995 Technics World DJ Championships and contributing to the underground movement in the Bay Area. Their work emphasized creative composition over traditional mixing, inspiring a new generation of DJs to treat turntables as a band-like ensemble. Prior to these group efforts, Mix Master Mike released his debut mixtape Juko in , a pre-championship project that captured his early style of raw and blending on cassette, distributed locally in the Bay Area. By 1995, his contributions to projects included appearances on compilations like Return of the DJ, Vol. 1, where the crew's tracks demonstrated their evolving sound through all-scratch compositions.

Beastie Boys Era

In 1998, Mix Master Mike was recruited by the to replace longtime , marking a shift toward a more innovative style in the group's sound. His entry into the fold came through persistent outreach to Adam "MCA" Yauch, whom he cold-called repeatedly, leaving elaborate answering machine messages featuring his scratching demos to showcase his skills. This unconventional audition process, bolstered by his reputation from prior , convinced the group of his fit, leading to his immediate integration as their official DJ. Mix Master Mike's contributions to the Beastie Boys' 1998 album Hello Nasty prominently featured his turntable work, including scratches on key tracks such as "Intergalactic" and "Remote Control," which helped define the record's energetic, experimental hip-hop vibe. The album, released that July, earned a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Intergalactic," with Mike's scratching integral to its production. His role extended beyond the studio, as he became the live DJ for the group's tours, emphasizing real-time scratching and improvisational sets that amplified the Beastie Boys' performances. Throughout the early 2000s, Mix Master Mike continued as the ' primary DJ on albums like (2004) and (2011), providing turntable elements that maintained the group's signature blend of rap, , and . His live scratching remained a tour staple, enhancing shows with dynamic, audience-engaging routines. In April 2012, he joined the for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a milestone shortly before MCA's death from cancer on May 4, 2012; Mike participated in final tribute performances honoring MCA amid the group's grief. Following the Beastie Boys' inactivity after MCA's passing, Mix Master Mike remained loosely affiliated with the surviving members but shifted focus to his solo projects and other collaborations.

2010s and Beyond

In the early , Mix Master Mike expanded his influence beyond music performance by collaborating with on a line of DJ designed specifically for turntablists, featuring ambidextrous audio inputs, one-touch mute functionality, and dual-channel cue control. This product launch in marked his entry into audio technology, blending professional DJ requirements with accessible design elements like 50mm drivers for balanced sound. Mix Master Mike continued to honor his Beastie Boys legacy through high-profile tributes, including a performance at the 2013 where he joined and jazz musicians like and to celebrate with a hip-hop infused rendition of "Rockit." His turntablism added a dynamic layer to the event, showcasing his ability to bridge genres in prestigious settings. By the late 2010s, Mix Master Mike deepened his ties to Cypress Hill, officially joining the group in 2018 as their DJ and turntablist. This collaboration culminated in notable live appearances, such as their set at the 2019 420 Vancouver concert, where he opened with a high-energy scratch routine fusing hip-hop classics before the band took the stage. During the 2020s, Mix Master Mike released Beat Odyssey 2020, an improvised album with drummer Steve Jordan that explored experimental beats through live turntable and percussion interplay, available on vinyl and digital platforms. The project highlighted his ongoing innovation in beat-making, with tracks like "The Gospel" dedicated to social movements. His touring schedule remained active, including a headline performance at Bastid's BBQ in Las Vegas on September 14, 2025, where he delivered a full-throttle set amid a lineup of DJs and artists. Later that year, he participated in an anti-homelessness benefit festival in Austin, Texas, in November 2025, performing alongside local musicians to support initiatives addressing the city's homelessness crisis. These events underscored his commitment to community causes through music. In November 2025, Mix Master Mike issued , a 7-inch battle record featuring specialized scratch breaks tailored for DJ competitions, released on Stokyo Records as a tool for turntablists. This vinyl emphasized his enduring role in advancing battle tools and scratch techniques. He also performed at Hellhouse 2025 in , on November 1, sharing the bill with DJ Craze in a Halloween-themed event at Old Forester's Paristown Hall. Throughout the decade, Mix Master Mike maintained select collaborations, including DJing at the 2014 MusiCares MAP Fund benefit honoring , where he spun tracks in tribute to the rock icon and late . His influence extended to gaming, with his likeness as a secret playable character in the 2001 video game —a DJ-themed snowboarder—continuing to inspire remakes and fan discussions into the .

Discography

Albums

Mix Master Mike's breakthrough solo release, Anti-Theft Device (1998, Asphodel Records), showcased his through instrumental hip-hop tracks with innovative and experimental elements. His next album, Eye of the Cyklops (2000, Asphodel Records), marked a significant evolution, blending electronic production with hip-hop rhythms through intricate and beat manipulation. The album's innovative fusion earned it the Best New Electronic Album award at the California Music Awards, praised for its playful yet technically sophisticated sound design. Spin Psycle (2001, Moonshine Music), a collaborative effort, brought together turntablists like DJ Q-Bert and vocalists such as , emphasizing dense overlays on hip-hop foundations for a high-energy, interactive production style. Return of the Cyklops (2002, Asphodel Records) expanded on his earlier work with more routines and electronic beats, including bonus tracks from previous EPs. Similarly, Bangzilla (2004, DreamWorks Records) delved into explosive instrumental hip-hop with layered turntable effects and futuristic themes, showcasing his mastery of complex audio manipulation. These works underscored his ongoing emphasis on scratching as a core compositional element, bridging traditional turntablism with broader electronic influences. In a later phase of his career, Beat Odyssey 2020 (2020, Jay-Vee Records) represented a contemporary return to improvised creativity, co-created with drummer Steve Jordan in fully live sessions that integrated digital tools for enhanced scratching layers and experimental beats, featuring guest contributions to expand its rhythmic scope. Opus X Magnum (2023), a recent solo album, continues his exploration of with high-energy scratches and beats.

EPs, Singles, and Mixtapes

Mix Master Mike has released several EPs, singles, and mixtapes that emphasize his expertise, often featuring battle-ready scratch patterns, instrumental beats, and limited-edition formats for DJ use. The Mix Masterpiece (Muzik's Worst Nightmare) EP (1996, Down To Earth), comprises early battle mixes showcasing rapid-fire and cut-up techniques over hip-hop beats. Notable singles include the "" remix for the , contributed to their 1998 album and featured on the 1999 single release, where his scratches add dynamic layers to the track. "Plazma Ryfle," a digital EP released in 2015, serves as a standalone piece available for free download, highlighting futuristic and . The 7" battle record, issued in 2020, provides five original beats on one side and a sample collection on the other, designed for DJ battles and limited to 1,000 orange vinyl copies. In compilations, Mix Master Mike contributed to the EP Constant Elevation (1996), focusing on scratch-focused tracks like group routines and limited-edition battle cuts that elevated standards.

Awards and Honors

DJ Championships

Mix Master Mike achieved his first major international victory at the 1992 held in , competing as part of the Rock Steady DJs alongside DJ Q-Bert and DJ Apollo; this marked the first time a U.S. team claimed the title, showcasing innovative routines that blended synchronized and beat manipulation to captivate the audience. Earlier that year, he also secured a win at the New Music Seminar DJ Battle for World Supremacy in , becoming the first West Coast DJ to take the honor and solidifying his rising prominence in the competitive scene. Building on this success, Mix Master Mike defended the DMC World title in 1993 and 1994 as part of the duo Dream Team with DJ Q-Bert, establishing a rare record in the competition's history through back-to-back victories that highlighted advanced . Their routines incorporated techniques such as transformer scratches—rapid forward-and-backward record manipulations creating chirping effects—and beat , where seamless switches between drum breaks demonstrated precision and creativity, influencing the evolution of DJ battle standards. These achievements culminated in him becoming the youngest three-time DMC world champion at age 24 in 1994, a feat that set benchmarks for technical innovation and helped propel from niche battles to a recognized global art form. Beyond the DMC, Mix Master Mike contributed to team successes with the , participating in the ITF World Team Championships in 1996, including a high-profile battle against the in 1996 that exemplified the crew's collective prowess in international .

Music and Industry Recognition

Mix Master Mike's innovative and have earned him prestigious accolades across the music industry, building on his foundational success in DJ championships. His contributions to the ' 1998 album garnered a Grammy Award in 1999 for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for the single "Intergalactic," recognizing his distinctive that elevated the track's production. In 2012, Mix Master Mike was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside the Beastie Boys, where he performed a medley of the group's hits during the ceremony, highlighting his integral role in their live and recorded sound. Additional honors include the International Turntablist Federation's Grandwizard Theodore Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999, presented for his advancements in DJ technique and culture. His 2000 EP Eye of the Cyklops received the California Music Award for Best New Electronic Album, affirming his solo artistry in blending hip-hop and experimental sounds. USA Today has acclaimed him as the world's greatest DJ, a testament to his pioneering influence. In 2023, Mix Master Mike received the DMC Legend Award, recognizing his lasting impact on DJ culture. In April 2024, he was presented with the Key to the City of Daly City, honoring his contributions to the Bay Area hip-hop scene as a native of the region. In a 2025 retrospective, SPIN magazine featured Mix Master Mike's account of his bold recruitment by the Beastie Boys, emphasizing his lasting contributions to hip-hop innovation.

References

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