Spinning and Scratching: A Chance Meeting in Madagascar
by DJ Invisible, American Music Abroad
I have been spinning records since I was 18 years old. I went to college honed my craft spinning parties in dorm lobbies, frat houses, and student unions. Four years later, I began mastering my craft spinning in nightclubs and touring around the world with some of the biggest names in music. Years later nothing would prepare me for what would happen to me on an American Music Abroad tour date in Antananarivo, Madagascar 🇲🇬.
I got up in the morning, ate breakfast, then called my wife on the other side of the world to tell her goodnight. Afterwards, I met the rest of the Mahogany Jones band in the hotel lobby. Our tour manager Mickey briefed us on what our busy morning was going to look like and then we set off for a World AIDS Day event.
We arrived at a very lively outdoor event with music and lots of people. We met and spoke to groups of women and men who are putting together programs to counsel the residents of Antananarivo on social and health related issues. We even got a chance to speak to some people in the Peace Corps who had been living in a small village with no running water for months.
After a few speeches from the event organizers we prepared for an impromptu acoustic performance. While the band was setting up, I went over to the DJ booth to check on mics and make sure the vocals were clear. Following an amazing, energetic, and engaging performance from our group; I noticed a young DJ began rocking the crowd. I was very impressed, so I went over to introduce myself and give him his props on a good set.
I made by way to the DJ booth and began to communicate using hand gestures and music. I watched him mix and noticed that he had some recorded scratches that sounded familiar. He handed me the mic and we started rocking the party together. After a few minutes he asked our Department of State representative, Mr. Fidi to come over and translate. They exchanged a few words in Malagasy, then Mr. Fidi told me that this young DJ started DJ’ing because of me! He said he saw a clip of me online and modeled his style after mine.
At first I didn’t believe him. I thought that this might be one of those things that was lost in translation. Then he played a few songs and showed me some scratches. I almost teared up. I have spent my whole career spinning records and feel like the most blessed individual on earth to have a career that I love. I love to show people how to spin and teach people how to mix and scratch. I have had people tell me they really enjoy my music or even that they love hearing me mix, but it took a trip 9000+ miles from home to hear the ultimate honor “I DJ because of you!” I have always approached the stage with the attitude - one or one thousand give it your best. That chance meeting in Madagascar has furthered my belief that the world really is a small place and music does make a difference in people’s lives for the better!
