Greg Keelor sent him flowers, Kanye’s taken time out from self love to give him props on his blog, he’s toured the US, Canada and Europe, he can make Buck 65 sound like Darth Vader, He lives in Montreal and speaks French if he feels like it, meet DJ and Producer Skratch Bastid.

A few years back, let’s say 2003, I was at a party where a bunch of people crowded around the TV to watch the Skribble Jam DVD. This particular item got played about 100 times in a row (now, Bastid devotees may sigh and cry, “seen it!” But please, others need to be educated…and you know you want to see it again).

(Oh…and he can also make your boyfriend dance to JT).

Since 2003 I’ve come across the Bastid every so often, generally in email form linking to Youtube with headers like “FW: FW: FW: Check this out!” and again, watching snippets of battle sets on DVD’s. Obviously the guy was working his ass off, while bits and pieces of his routines were creeping into Melbourne lounge rooms, he was busy being nominated for Juno awards, working with Buck 65, winning trophies for awesome rap-mixing* and sharing the stage with Nas, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Ludacris, Mix Master Mike, Ice-T, and DJ Premier – that’s not all, the list could go on.

On arriving in Vancouver last year, I was jet-lagged as hell but managed to haul my dazed, sleep deprived ass to a Skratch Bastid show. It was fucking amazing, everything from hip hop to funk to rock all played in style and mixed to party perfection, every track was met with audible crowd appreciation. We made sure we left with Get Up in hand – the CD was on heavy rotation for the entire trip.

The new mix Satisfaction Guaranteed dropped late last year and it’s super tasty so buy it, or else. I’m not usually one to push shit, but seriously, it’s worth a listen and is probably the best CD you’ve heard in ages.

Anyway, blah blah blah. In short Skratch Bastid is your new favourite DJ. Get used to it.

Let’s get this out of the way first – when was the last time you got the wig out?

On my last tour through Canada in November, I got the itch. I was playing in the isolated town of Prince George, BC, and when I pulled up to the venue I saw that Helix was playing the next night and I thought to myself: “This city needs the wig”. It was a hit.

What have you been doing lately?

I’ve been working on a bunch of mixes. Satisfaction Guaranteed was my last big mix, but I’ve got 2 other projects on the go. I’m working on a live project with a visual artist and an actor where all of the music and cues are set off by the DJ, scratched up, juggled and mixed. It’s a new approach, but I’m having fun with the new possibilities. My homie Rhek and I are working on a mix to coincide with a t-shirt release at Sharks + Hammers, too. I’ve also been stretching and flossing more, staying true to my New Year’s Resolutions.

Is there anything you can’t make sound good?

Yes, I’m sure, but there’s an angle for almost anything so I’m up for the challenge. Try me. I once took on the task of remixing the local Halifax news theme for “Live at 5″ in 20 minutes. It was successful, but I’m not sure I’ll ever ‘play it out’, per se.

Top 5 in your crate/HD at the minute:

Raekwon, Ghostface & Method Man – “Wu Ooh”; Mr. Scruff & Alice Russell – “Music Takes Me Up (Album Version)”; UGK – “Da Game Been Good To Me”; Santogold & Project Pat “Shove It (Remix); Scarface “Emeritus” (Album).

What if, God forbid, someone isn’t satisfied with your mix?

I say that it’s a money-back scenario to anyone I sell it to at shows. So far, no refunds have been issued. For internet complaints, you can reach me at my website and we can duke it out on e-mail.

You make nachos with love, a piece of cheese, guacamole and salsa on each chip. How do you make poutine?

As a post-New-Year’s New Year’s Resolution, I’ve sworn off poutine. That shit gives you a worse hangover than alcohol. Nachos are so much safer. But those fries, curds and gravy taste so damn good. I live one block from the greatest poutine in Quebec, and therefore the world, so I’ve never felt the need to give it a go myself. They’ve got over 15 different combinations of ingredients to turn the day-after into a gym day. I can’t compete with that.

What’s in your rider?

12 Heneikens, vodka, fruit, cashews, hummus & pita, and a bag of Skittles.

Can’t leave home without:

My M.O.P. “Ante Up” 12″. It looks like it’s been through 2 wars. It’s kind of a good luck charm, and definitely the song that I’ve played the most at my shows to this date.

Shout outs to:

Mayoress for letting me speak my piece then slide like grease, Rhek and Brand (through whom I linked with these cats), Brittany, my manager Mike D, Gordski, Pip Skid, Skittles, Noreaga (best vlogger on the internet), Bates, my recreational basketball team, my piano teacher, winter (GTFOH), and everyone out there on the internet reading this.

More Bastid here

*Yes, the internet allows me to make up my own words. Rap-mixing goes quite nicely along with rap-singing, rap-dancing and rap-painting.