From hustle mentality to healthier one
A stroke forced DJ Shortkut to start again from scratch
It was supposed to be the cap to a great day in hip-hop. Jonathan Cruz — aka DJ Shortkut of the pioneering San Francisco DJ crew Invisibl Skratch Piklz — had rocked two sets at the Roots Picnic Experience, a golden-era hip-hop gathering at the Hollywood Bowl on June 29. But something wasn’t right.
Photos: Estefany Gonzalez Text:Todd Inoue
For The San Francisco Chronicle
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Wilson Du, 43, right, helps Jonathan Cruz, best known by his stage name DJ Shortkut, adjust a barbell during a physical therapy session at The Mission HQ gym in Alameda, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. The SF DJ, also a member of Invisibl Skratch Piklz, suffered a stroke in July 2024 that left him with partial paralysis and cognitive impairment.
Jonathan Cruz, left, best known by his stage name DJ Shortkut, does a back row exercise on a TRX suspension trainer during a physical therapy session with Wilson Du, 43, founder of The Mission HQ, at The Mission HQ gym in Alameda, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. The SF DJ, also a member of Invisibl Skratch Piklz, suffered a stroke in July 2024 that left him with partial paralysis and cognitive impairment.
Jonathan Cruz, left, best known by his stage name DJ Shortkut, watches Wilson Du, 43, founder of The Mission HQ, demonstrate an exercise with a resistance band during a physical therapy session at The Mission HQ gym in Alameda, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. The SF DJ, also a member of Invisibl Skratch Piklz, suffered a stroke in July 2024 that left him with partial paralysis and cognitive impairment.
Jonathan Cruz, right, best known by his stage name DJ Shortkut, does an exercise with a resistance band during a physical therapy session with Wilson Du, 43, founder of The Mission HQ, at The Mission HQ gym in Alameda, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. The SF DJ, also a member of Invisibl Skratch Piklz, suffered a stroke in July 2024 that left him with partial paralysis and cognitive impairment.
Jonathan Cruz, left, best known by his stage name DJ Shortkut, does a push-up on a plyometric box during a physical therapy session with Wilson Du, 43, founder of The Mission HQ, at The Mission HQ gym in Alameda, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. The SF DJ, also a member of Invisibl Skratch Piklz, suffered a stroke in July 2024 that left him with partial paralysis and cognitive impairment.
Dozens of people gather to watch DJ Shortkut perform at Ciel Creative Space in Berkeley, Calif. Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2024.
DJ Shortkut performs at Ciel Creative Space in Berkeley, Calif. Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2024. SF DJ Jonathan Cruz, also known as DJ Shortkut and a member of the pioneering DJ crew Invisibl Skratch Piklz, suffered a stroke in July 2024 that affected the left side of his body, causing partial paralysis and cognitive impairment. Now, after months of physical therapy, he is performing again.
DJ Shortkut stands with his DJ equipment at Ciel Creative Space in Berkeley, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2024. The SF DJ, also known for his work as a member of Invisibl Skratch Piklz, suffered a stroke in July 2024 that left him with partial paralysis and cognitive impairment. After months of physical therapy, he is performing again.
DJ Shortkut stands next to a wall of records displayed along the wall at Ciel Creative Space in Berkeley, Calif., on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2024. The SF DJ, also known for his work as a member of Invisibl Skratch Piklz, suffered a stroke in July 2024 that left him with partial paralysis and cognitive impairment. After months of physical therapy, he is performing again.