Times have changed in the last few years for Scratcha DVA. At one point, he was a go to engineer for just about everyone in the grime scene. He was also one of the people along with producers such as Terror Danjah and DaVinChe who helped to foster the whole R&G sound which combined R&B style vocals with the grime sound not to mention, Scratcha is the comical voice that you hear hosting Rinse FM’s morning ‘Grimey Breakfast Show’. While grime emcees sprayed bars on his production, Scratcha began to find a new home for his unorthodox style of electronic beats that some what straddled a line of UK Funky, sometimes glitchy/broken UKG to intergalactic funk. These type of tracks were welcomed at the Hyperdub label. DVA soon found himself playing raves that were the complete opposite of those that housed grime emcees who clashed and spoke of road life. His new album “Pretty Ugly” is what has manifested. The sometimes chaotic electronic beats are surely visible but Scratcha has orchestrated them more into sophisticated pieces rather than just big tunes for the rave. The beats are at times reminscent of the old Broken Beat days but shows the progression of DVA as a producer. He’s also implemeted vocalists on many of the songs which brightens the tunes quite lovely.
It may appear that Scratcha DVA has left the grime scene but it could simply be that he’s expanded his palette.