For over a decade, Stretch Armstrong has been regarded in DJ culture as a ground-breaking act. Back in the ‘90s, his Columbia University radio show was notorious for launching rappers’ careers, including those of Biggie Smalls, Nas, and Wu-Tang Clan, who all came on to freestyle. Now, Stretch can be seen and heard DJing around the world, and every Wednesday night at NYC mega-club Marquee. 

But these days, you won’t spot him lugging around four cases of vinyl in the trunks of taxis. Serato Scratch Live software and his new Ferrari Red 250cc Vespa Scooter have changed everything. All he has to do is jump on, computer in hand, and he’s off to play anywhere within the five boroughs. Having recently started a band called Alister Doomington, Stretch can also take his bass guitar to band practice at a moment’s notice. Best of all, though, is the visual: A lanky, 6-foot-5 fella straddling a racy-red scooter and riding it like a banshee though the city’s streets. Here, the road warrior takes a minute out to discuss the benefits of owning one:

Tell us about your whip.
“It’s the Granturismo – it’s a ‘touring Vespa’. The wheels are bigger. Engine-wise, it’s the biggest, fastest and most powerful Vespa. I’ve had it up to almost 95mph on a flat decline.” 

Why did you get it?
“I’ve always wanted to have a motorcycle and I’m an aggressive driver, but I don’t want to die. I think getting a motorcycle would be a foolish thing, plus it’d give my mother a heart attack and make my Dad sleepless, which is not an easy feat. When I was in Europe, I was admiring the Vespas. Then they came out with the 250cc fuel-injected ones. About a week later I bought one.”

Any white-knuckle experiences thus far?
“I had to get to the studio in Allentown, Pennsylvania, because I’d promised the rest of the band I’d be there. So I said to myself, ‘I’m going to take the Vespa [from New York City]…why not? Let’s do it.’ So, I did it! Man, that shit was a fucking workout! Let me tell you something, when I got there, I was shivering! This was a warm day too. I was so weather-beaten from having 80mph winds going through me for two hours. It’s rough. You’ve got to wear a lot of shit; layers of gloves and leather jacket. When I went, I had on a leather jacket, a T-shirt underneath, nothing around my neck and no gloves. But I was into it, man! I was passing cars; I was drafting tractor trailers! I got there in under two hours, but when I arrived I had to de-thaw.”

What’s the best thing about your Vespa?
“I can get so much more stuff done during the day. It’s not a pain-in-the-ass to take meetings and do errands. I get ten times as much stuff done with my Vespa than my truck.”

Your truck?
“It was a complete gas-guzzler. That’s just wrong on so many levels. Parking was a bitch and I’d get tickets. Yet, I loved the freedom of going anywhere I wanted at any time. I used it as ‘a get my records to the club/party truck.’ It was fun. Then I gave it up.”

So it seems the Vespa’s given you more freedom.
“It’s really exciting driving through neighborhoods and not being in a car. Being able to move through them and check them out! It’s a totally different vantage point. You can stop and if you see something you want to check out or see someone you know…stop…talk to them. It makes getting around, doing the things we have to do everyday, which might not be that fun, more enjoyable.”

~Jessica McMenamin

Get One:

Vespa Granturismo, around $5,800, vespausa.com

Hear Stretch’s band: myspace.com/alisterdoomington