DJ Qbert @ Monarch Theatre

In the hands of most DJs, a pair of turntables is the place to put colored Serato Control records. When wielded by the expert hands of Richard Quitevis, known in the music world as DJ Qbert, a pair of Technics 1200s will reach transcendence, becoming a true musical instrument or even a beat-generating, scratch-spitting beast that's alive with sound. A true turntablist in every sense of the word, the San Francisco native began spinning vinyl on a Fisher-Price record player at 15 and has been on an epic trajectory that's taken him to the heights of the DJ world. His accomplishments are the stuff of legend: Qbert not only partnered with the equally esteemeed Mix Master Mike (of Beastie Boys fame) to form the highly influential Invisibl Skratch Piklz DJ crew and help redefine turntable culture in the early 1990s, he also was an early member of the legendary Rock Steady DJs. During that era, Qbert and Mix Master Mike also completely dominated the DMC World Championships for three straight years and broke the streak only after organizers reportedly asked them to step away and allow someone else to win for once. He's shown off his skills in a slew of underground videos and in the noted 2001 documentary Scratch, and he has earned the respect of thousands of selectas worldwide. As one YouTube user pointed out in the comment section of a video featuring the artist killing it at the 1991 DMCs: "This was like 20 years ago . . . most of the shit you rock on the turntables wether [sic] you realize it or not is from Q." In other words, if you attend Qbert's performance at The Monarch Theatre, 122 East Washington Street, on Saturday, November 3, prepare to genuflect to one of the true gods of the DJ world. Local old school scratch fiends Radar, M2, and Akshen open the gig, which starts at 10 p.m. Admission is $15 pre-sale, $20 at the door. Visit djqbertphx.eventbrite.com.