Wave Twisters (2001)

DJ-scratch cartoon musical that’s blowing minds—and weirdly into teeth

TLDR: Wave Twisters, a 2001 animated musical built from DJ Q-Bert’s scratch wizardry, is being rediscovered as the first turntable-driven cartoon opera. Commenters are wowed by its creativity, split over the film’s tooth-obsessed visuals, and comparing its wild collage energy to The Avalanches’ Frontier Psychiatrist—must-see weirdness.

The cult classic is back in the chat, and commenters are losing it. Wave Twisters, the 2001 animated fever dream spun from DJ Q-Bert’s album, is being hailed as the first DJ turntable musical—translation: records are scratched like instruments—and it mashes live-action, computer graphics, and hand-drawn animation into one neon brain-melt. Fans are raving about the creativity, with one stunned viewer admitting some sequences are “so smooth and creative that it makes me angry.” That’s not just praise—that’s performance art.

But the thread’s true obsession? Teeth. A top comment asks, “what’s with the strange dental fixation?” and suddenly the crowd splits into Team “It’s a goofy running gag” vs. Team “This is deep visual lore, open your mind.” Cue jokes about flossing to the beat and “the greatest dentist commercial never made.” Is it a tooth fairy fever dream or just turntable mischief? The debate is downright bitey—and everyone’s smiling through it.

Music nerds, meanwhile, are drawing lines to other collage-crazed classics. One commenter drops the perfect comparison: it’s got that madcap, sample-slap vibe of The Avalanches’ Frontier Psychiatrist. And then there’s the minimalist fan-poem that captured the room: “Q!” Short, loud, and suddenly a rallying cry. Bottom line: Wave Twisters is back, and the comments are flossing each other with hot takes.

Key Points

  • Wave Twisters is a 2001 American animated film.
  • It was directed by Eric Henry and Syd Garon.
  • The film is based on DJ Q-Bert’s album of the same name.
  • It is recognized as the first turntablism-based musical.
  • The production blends live-action, computer graphics, and cel animation.

Hottest takes

"so smooth and creative that it makes me angry." — Slow_Hand
"Reminds me a bit of The Avalanches - in particular, Frontier Psychiatrist." — johnfn
"Q!" — 4b11b4
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