Forgotten Treasure: The X-Ecutioners “The Turntablist Anthem” (1997)

That super familiar line, “Hey DJ won’t you play that song” has a source, and the other night I had a moment while watching a classic music video that took me back to an X-Ecutioners track. In my high school days, I remember adoring this track; played it on repeat all the time because I loved the vocals so much and can firmly say that it does not get old – it’s a classic.

Started as an 11 person Hip Hop group and with their first release of X-Pressions in 1997 (Asphodel Records) was reduced to four members: Rob Swift, Roc Raida (R.I.P), Total Eclipse and Mista Sinista. To me, they were part of my Hip Hop Scratch DJing phase of my youth and The Turntablist Anthem will always be one of my favorite tracks by them.

One thing I love about music is finding out where the samples come from. I love to hear the originals and I love the process of discovery. On that note, here is the inspiration behind The Turntablist Anthem, encapsulated in this classic video by The World Famous Supreme Team.

The World Famous Supreme Team’s Hey DJ jam was released in 1984 on Island Records, and it has been sampled by many (full list below). Most will recognized Mariah Carrey’s Honey, but my weirdo musical brain lead me to this forgotten treasure by The X-Ecutioners.

Ohhh and while we’re at it… here is the also classic revision of “Hey DJ” by forgotten 90’s group Lighter Shade of Brown.

Full list of songs that sample “Hey DJ”

Here We Go Again (Malcom Mix) by Def Jef (1991)
Rollin’ Wit Umdada by Masta Ace Incorporated (1993)
Hey DJ by A Lighter Shade of Brown (1994)
Slide and Rock On by Redman (1994)
U Can Get With Discs or U Can Get With D.A.T. by Z-Trip (1995)
Tell Me Your Name (Clark Kent Remix) by Shades (1996)
Honey by Mariah Carey (1997)
The Turntablist Anthem by X-Ecutioners (1997)
Hey AZ by AZ feat. SWV (1997)
Hey DJ (Play That Song) by N-Tyce (1997)
Sound of the Culture by DJ Munja (1998)
Hey DJ (Play That Song) by Tony Touch feat. B-Real and Nina Sky (2005)
I’m in the House by Da Dysfunkshunal Familee (2009)
Hey DJ by Maybach Dice feat. Mann (2012)

Devon Eve

Montrealer, born and raised, Devon Eve is a disco boogie junkie with much love for the golden era of dance music.