GrandWizzard Theodore was the featured guest at Mile High DJ Supply Master Class series just outside of Denver, Colorado last month. Tucked away in the corner of an Arvada strip mall, the pioneering turntablist answered questions from the audience, showed off some of his techniques — including his famous needle drop — and told colorful stories about his storied career.

The 59-year-old inventor of the scratch spoke about Hip Hop culture as passionately as if he’d just discovered it, making his love for all elements that much more apparent. Speaking to HipHopDX following the event, GrandWizzard Theodore explained why mentorship is such an integral part of the culture.

“Everybody’s going through something and everybody needs to find something that’s going to take them to that place where they can figure out what to do with their life,” he said. “I’m going through this, I’m going through that, I need something to help me keep both feet planted on the ground and not just let myself just lose myself. Because music is medicine. You can be feeling down about something and you hear your favorite song, you’re like, ‘Yeah.’

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