X-Act DJ

The survey says DJ X-Acto rocks. He also blends, cuts, scratches, spins and juggles -- beats. Meet the IU student who literally creates the party every time he steps behind the turntables. \nDJ X-Acto is Scott Rappaport, a junior. Rappaport thought of the name DJ X-Acto in high school, in reference to the precision involved in spinning. He studies telecommunications, business and music. Originally from Los Angeles, Rappaport has music in his blood. He says his father, a music lover and former radio personality in Chicago and L.A., has always been a source of motivation for him. \nThe junior Rappaport got into DJ'ing in ninth grade. After playing around on friends' equipment, Rappaport decided he needed his own tools. \n"I started with one of my dad's old turntables and a discman," he says. He has since upgraded to Technicks SL1200 turntables and a Vestax 07Pro mixer.\nHis professional career began later in high school. He worked huge parties, kickin' tunes for hundreds of people. He says he first started DJ'ing parties because he doesn't dance. \n"I first started doing it for fun," Rappaport says. \nHis music of choice is hip hop, but Rappaport says he's also into funk and jazz and likes all types of music. While working the tables, Rappaport would prefer to spin underground hip hop or old-school rap, but he realizes that's not what everyone grooves to. \n"I now play to the audience," he says. "I didn't used to do that. I just played what I want."\nComing into his freshman year at IU, Rappaport says he stopped DJ'ing for a while, because he was pledging at Acacia fraternity and was often busy. But he now averages roughly a party a weekend. \nRappaport says one of his biggest culture shocks about the Midwest was the differences in music tastes. L.A. has one of the most competitive DJ communities on the West Coast. \n"Clubs at home appreciate real DJ'ing," he says. \nHere, Rappaport says party DJs are the most sought after. \n"As a party DJ, you have to be able to play the right songs at the right time," he says. "It's the most important thing to know." \nRappaport usually plays popular hip hop like Nelly, Jay-Z and Big Tymers at parties. He tries to occasionally slip in some of his favorites; songs that he believes people wouldn't necessarily relate to, but might like if they gave them a chance. \n"For parties here, nice blends and smooth transitions are important," he says.\nMost times, Rappaport works throughout the Greek community, predominantly DJ'ing fraternity parties and socials. He has also DJ'ed at Kilroy's for Greek crush dances and at Vertigo Live Music Venue. He says that in order to be successful, promotion is key. Rappaport has a banner, business cards and a Web site, www.djxacto.com. \nRappaport cites DJ Babu, the DJ for Dialated Peoples, as his biggest influence and greatly admires his beat juggling technique. He says he prefers DJ Babu because he reminds him of himself.\nDJ X-Acto attributes much of his success to dedication and practice. He says while most of his friends play video games, he would much rather be practicing on his turntables. \n"I look back at myself three years ago and can see so much improvement," he says. \nHe advises that a DJ should never play a song twice or waste all of his or her good music at the beginning of the party. \n"A DJ does so many things to make the party happen," he says. "Whenever I do a good blend, I get the chills"