Turntablism is becoming a lost art. Over the years, vinyl records have been replaced by CDJs and the only thing you need to get that “scratch” sound on a track is a computer program. It’s hard not to wonder what happened to legendary DJ crews like the X-ecutioners (including the late Grandmaster Roc Raida and Rob Swift), The Beat Junkies or The Rock Steady Crew that were able to construct entire conversations with their turntables. Thankfully, the DMC Battles are still happening, but the art of turntablism is no longer at the forefront of hip-hop culture like it was during the Golden Era. Witnessing Omaha-native DJ CMB on the wheels of steel is as close as it gets to the real thing. He’s been honing his craft for decades. The Warped Wax series at House of Loom provides the perfect platform for CMB and other like-minded DJs to showcase their incredible skills.
Warped Wax with DJ CMB, January 4, at House of Loom, 1012 S. 10th St., 9 p.m. Admission is free. Visit www.houseofloom.com for more information.