Lots of stuff to peep out this week.. It's hard to know where to begin. First, lets start off by pay tribute to one of Hip Hop's greatest pioneers.. Grand Wizzard Theodore-the inventor of the scratch. This Sunday July 28th at SOB's [204 Varick St @W.Houston] in Manhattan, GW Theodore with dozens of other Hip Hop Legends will be on hand to honor Theodore as he celebrates his 27th Anniversary. It's hard to believe Hip Hop has been around this long.

For those who are unfamiliar, GW Theodore is the younger brother of pioneering Hip Hop DJs Mean Gene and Corey 'Cordio' Livingston. They were known as the L Brothers and in their crew was another DJ named Grand Master Flash. At that time [1974-75] Theodore was too young to go out and party with his older brothers. So he used to practice while at home. According to GM Flash, he taught Theodore some of the basics about deejaying.This was done in secret because Theodore's older brothers didn't want him playing with the equipment.

One day Theodore was playing around with the music when his mother came knocking on his room door. She wanted him to turn down the music as she spoke with him. Theodore turned the volume down but could still hear through his head phones. As he listened with one headphone off to his mother speaking, he could hear the scratching noise in the other ear as he held the record. The unique sound inspired him to experiment and soon Theodore developed what we know as the scratch.

Theodore eventually made his public debut at a block party at the young age of 11. He was so short that he had to stand on milk crates to be seen by the crowd which was shocked to see the younger brother of then then legendary Mean Gene do his thing, including scratch on the turn tables.

Theodore eventually became a part of the L brothers which at one point not only included GM Flash, but also included pioneering rapper Chief Rocker Busy B. He later broke off and formed his own group Grand Wizard Theodore and the Fantastic Five. The Fantastic Five was made up of original L Brother emcees, Kevvy Kev, Dot-A-Rock and Master Rob. Later a dou named Salt-N-Pepa joined the group. That dou consisted of Whipper Whip and Ruby Dee. The rest as they say is history.

I recall my first encounter with Grand Wizard Theodore was around '77 when I got this tape and heard this routine that sticks with me to this day and has been emulated by many including myself. He took the popular record 'Apache' which was dubbed the B-Boy anthem. He would play the beginning with the rolling drum beats and just as the guitar would kick in, Theodore would cut over to the beginning of another popular break record-'Children Growing'. The mixture of those two records just blew everyone away and was indicative of GW Theodore. He was always innovative.

Today Theodore can be found traveling the country lecturing about Hip Hop. He also still spins and has kept himself up to speed and competitive. He recently was featured in the Scratch Tour. He made a grand entrance and did not disappoint the crowd. We wish Theodore nothing but the best. Had it not been for him Hip Hop would not be what it is today-a vibrant artform that is embraced by folks from all over the world.

Here's the official rundown courtesy of Tools of War..

All Performances from 8 - 11 pm and legendary party rockers - straight up dancing from 11 pm til they make us leave! We are recreating an old school jam! Opening from 6:30 - 8pm: D'Vintage from the Last Generation spinning rare grooves, funk 45s, etc.