DJ Clark Kent founded the Supermen DJs (DJ Scratch, Daddy Rich, Plastic Man, etc.) in the 1980s. At that time, they were the world’s most loved, envied, and, to a degree, hated DJ crew (not because they sucked but because they were so good). DJ culture was so different back then, though. You stuck to your inner circle and “to hell with everyone else.” It’s not like the way it is now, where dudes fake like you when they see you in person, asking to take a selfie with you and all, only to talk trash about you the minute you walk away. Nah, DJs knew who they were and were not cool with and we all respected those boundaries. The fun fact is that Steve Dee and Sean C formed the X-Men (later known as the X-Ecutioners) solely because we saw the Supermen as our rivals! We wanted to battle Clark and his crew with a passion. That healthy (and sometimes no-so-healthy, if I’m being honest) competition was what inspired me to come up with routines like my “Nobody Beats The Biz” because to be the best, you have to beat the best! Thank you, Clark. Thank you for teaching me how rivalry motivates me to be a better version of myself. The Supermen’s DJ skills helped the X-Men define who we are and how far we want to take our DJ careers. Each member of your crew’s standing within the DJ community kept my crew focused and committed to improving as DJs. The Supermen, led by DJ Clark Kent, were the first superheroes of turntablism, while the X-Men were their arch-enemies. Although it may not have always looked like it on the surface, our rivalry existed because we respected Clark and his crew, and I’m blessed that the energy that made us rivals ultimately transformed us into great friends. Rest in peace.