In an exclusive conversation with HipHopDX, the freshly minted Grandmaster Scratch went into further detail about his very insightful #2016WrapUp Instagram post (read it below) and the true reason for creating it.

“There was so much more than just the EPMD stuff,” Scratch explained to DX. “But the reason I said what I said is to keep my reputation strong with promoters who constantly hit my phone upset that I wasn’t at various EPMD shows. So this way, no one will be confused as to what my standing with the group is because there isn’t one.”

As for any potential back-and-forth saga with this particular deal, Scratch is confident that neither Erick or Parrish will offer any rebuttals to his Instagram post, because of that old age saying, “the truth will set you free.”

Moving forward, Scratch says he wants fans to get excited about his 2017 endeavors including his ScratchVision App that features his new speciality mix, Fifty Shades of 45’s, created from hand-selected 45’s.

(The following post was published on January 2, 2017 at 3:32PM)

New Year’s resolutions are supposed to be all about leaving the past 365 days behind and looking forward to a brighter future. Longtime EPMD DJ/collaborator DJ Scratch did just that to ring in 2017, but not before dousing Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith with gallons of ether over what he says was shady business.

The Brooklyn-bred producer, who’s just as renowned for his work with Busta Rhymes as EPMD, kicks off his “#2016WrapUp” by looking back at the close of his 2015, which he says was the end of his interactions with the legendary Hip Hop duo.

“A year ago tonight was the last show I did with my former group,” he began. “I was tired of the lies, the money stealing & the sneaking around doing shows without me to keep more bread in their pockets meanwhile RUINING the brand!! So here’s my 2016 Wrap Up: Rite after I left the group I upgraded & relaunched ScratchVision.com, went on a world tour of my own. Then was the opening act for Beyonce’s tour. Signed a endorsement deal with Monster Energy, then went on the Monster Energy tour (Still on tour). Launched my own App, then I was knighted a Grandmaster by Kool Herc. Then did the scratches on the album of the year (A Tribe Called Quest) & to top it all off I am now the special guest tour DJ with ATCQ. I left a group who couldn’t afford to pay one DJ & joined a group who can afford to pay 2 DJ’s. So for now on I’ll stick with the group that makes $100,000 minimum per show instead of the group that makes $6,000 maximum per show. For 2017 remove the toxic energy out of your life & watch how many blessings you’ll receive. Happy New Year!!! Never get bitter, just get better!! They thought they buried me, but they forgot I was a seed!!”

Scratch started working with EPMD back on the Long Island duo’s 1989 sophomore album, Unfinished Business and also contributed to Business as Usual, Business Never Personal and more.

To say his revelation is the end of an era would be an understatement, but his upcoming 2017 with ATCQ should prove to be alright. Q-Tip recently stated that the group intends to continue making music in the wake of Phife Dawg’s passing and their celebrated comeback LP, We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service.

See DJ Scratch’s Instagram post blasting EPMD below.

#2016WrapUp A year ago tonight was the last show I did with my former group. I was tired of the lies, the money stealing & the sneaking around doing shows without me to keep more bread in their pockets meanwhile RUINING the brand!! So here's my 2016 Wrap Up: Rite after I left the group I upgraded & relaunched ScratchVision.com, went on a world tour of my own. Then was the opening act for Beyonce's tour. Signed a endorsement deal with Monster Energy, then went on the Monster Energy tour (Still on tour). Launched my own App, then I was knighted a Grandmaster by Kool Herc. Then did the scratches on the album of the year (A Tribe Called Quest) & to top it all off I am now the special guest tour DJ with ATCQ. I left a group who couldn't afford to pay one DJ & joined a group who can afford to pay 2 DJ's. So for now on I'll stick with the group that makes $100,000 minimum per show instead of the group that makes $6,000 maximum per show. For 2017 remove the toxic energy out of your life & watch how many blessings you'll receive. Happy New Year!!! Never get bitter, just get better!! They thought they buried me, but they forgot I was a seed!!!

A photo posted by Turntable Whisperer (@djscratch) on