It was during Double Trouble Jam #5, an event dedicated to graffiti, DJing and beatmaking, last July in Offenburg, I met Mirko Machine for the first time. He is a supa heavy digger and the precision of his cuts are unequivocal. So we decided to do a special first meeting interview with a legend of the German hip-hop movement. A look back at several decades of activism.

Was your first encounter with the hip-hop movement through graffiti or DJing?

I Started as a B-Boy in 1983 after I see the video “I.O.U” of Freeez.

Your first vinyl, when did you become a vinyl addict?

My first record that I bought was “Back in Black” of AC/DC, in 1980, at the drop. I was 11years old and I asked my father to drive me to the record store.

Your first piece in a yard? Can you describe the first time you saw a train rolling with a painting of you? 

My first piece I did in 1985 in a parking and my first train I did was with Speedy in 1991. I was always hyped up when I saw a train. Absolutley great feeling, but my first train I never see rolling.

Your first whole car?

My first try was in 1993; I can't finish it but two years later with Iron I helped a bit (smile).

Your first time being arrested for graffiti? 

I've never been arrested

Your first meeting with Lady Pink, I think in 1991?

Yes I was there in Biel, there was a big Jam and I took a picture with her. That’s it.

Your first meeting with a sampler? 

We started making beats in 1990 with some friends. I have my first sampler in 92 or 93, I think it was an Akai S2000.

Your first mix tape? 

Hmm, I think it was in 1989.

Your first tour?

Klasse von 94 with MC René, Main Concept and Absolute Beginner. We were also in Paris…

Do you remember the feeling of holding your first vinyl in your hands?

Oh yeah. I recorded my first scratches in 1995 on “The Real Deal” by Der Lange & Funky Chris. It was super great to have the vinyl when it came out in 1996. (Der Lange is an MC known under the alias Atom for his remarkable work as a graffiti writer – editor’s note).

Your first exhibition as a writer?

Never did this.

Your first DJ battle? 

In 1989 for the DMC Germany, I was eliminated by David Fascher who then became the World Champion in 1990, in Hamburg.

Your first encounter with the “flare” cut?

1994 but I did not know what they did. I started practising this in 1996, I think.

Your first time to spin with Phase?

Two years ago, it works well.

Your first Flavor of the Month?

This was a monthly boom bap party, I did where I covered famous Hip Hop Lp covers. You can check it via http://www.mirkomachine.de

Your first encounter with Double Trouble Jam?

This summer, It was great! All these great people there, feels like back in the days.

Your first time to spin with CDJ player?

No, I have tried till today.

Are you still diggin’ vinyl? What kind of music are you obsessed with?

Everything that touches me. I am still diggin for loops and samples used and unused iam always happy if I find something that i didn't expect. Bboy breaks and old hip hop records that I don't have, or the records I like and have played them so much that I try to find a new and better copy.

Interviewed and header photo by El Coshmar