DJ Premier was born in Texas in 1966, before moving to New York City during his teenage years. It was there that he would become an integral part of hip hop's blossoming in the 80s and 90s. Along with Guru, he was half of the seminal duo Gang Starr. With Nas, he produced three of the tracks off Illmatic, one of the great classic records of the golden era.
Nowadays, he's crushing it with Royce Da 5'9" as PRhyme, and along the way he's worked with The Notorious B.I.G., Jay Z, D'Angelo, Big Daddy Kane, and so many more. He's become a legend through dedication and longevity, and is the subject of this week's Throwback Thursday. Take a trip down "Memory Lane" with a collection of DJ Premier's illest productions.
Gang Starr - "Jazz Thing"
Long before Kendrick brought jazz into hip hop, Gang Starr was doing it. This time, it was with the 1990 track "Jazz Thing," that was featured on the soundtrack for the Spike Lee film "Mo' Better Blues." Guru gives a history lesson over an instrumental that samples legends like Charlie Parker, Louis Armstrong, Thelonious Monk, and Duke Ellington.
Heavy D & the Boyz - "Here Comes The Heavster"
Primo took that same jazzy sound he used on "Jazz Thing" to lace Heavy D with the beat for "Here Comes The Heavster." The classic track landed on Heavy D & the Boyz' 1993 album Blue Funk, which is certified gold.
Big Daddy Kane - "Show & Prove" featuring Big Scoop, J.Z., Ol' Dirty Bastard, Sauce and Shyheim
Chances are you weren't around in 1994 when Big Daddy Kane dropped his album Daddy's Home, so you probably don't "remember" this all-star posse cut. Kane employed a whole gang of New York City rappers to murder this one, including a very young Jay Z (then listed as J.Z.). Baby-faced Hov also spits his verse in the music video, which is a beautiful snapshot into the culture that is early 90s hip hop.
Nas - "NY State of Mind"
It's safe to say that Primo's legacy wouldn't be what it is without his input on Illmatic. Producing three tracks off that record, helped Premier take his game to the next level with some all-time classic productions, including the hard beat he crafted in "NY State of Mind."
Nas - Represent
By manipulating a deep sample, DJ Premier developed one of the hottest beats of the 90s boom-bap period. This one still represents for the classic era of hip hop.
Jay Z - "D'Evils"
When you hear that sample-cutting chorus, you already know what it is. Primo has such a distinctive sound as a producer, that it's tough to ignore his craft when you're listening to one of his beats. "D'Evils," off the legendary debut Reasonable Doubt, is just another home run Premier hit in the 90s.
Nas - "Nas Is Like"
Since Illmatic was so dope, Nas' other albums are often overlooked. This one off Nas' third album I Am... is every bit as good as the legendary ish he was bringing on his debut, but with a polished sound and even more thorough production; it doesn't feel like it's stuck in the 90s quite as much. It also doesn't hurt that Nas spits some of his hardest bars ever on the beat...
"Freedom or jail, clip's inserted, a baby's being born
Same time a man is murdered, the beginning and end
As far as rap go, it's only natural I explain
My plateau, and also, what defines my name
First it was Nasty, but times have changed
Ask me now, I'm the artist, but hardcore, my science for pain
I spent time in the game, kept my mind on fame
Saw fiends shoot up and do lines of cocaine
Saw my close friends shot, flatline am I sane?"
The Notorious B.I.G - Ten Crack Commandments
As soon as anyone hears that count-up, it's on. It still moves a crowd like nothing else; it's insane. Primo's work with Biggie proves him to be one of the more successful collaborators of this era. He was literally able to work with all of New York's hottest MCs throughout the 90s, and to make it even better, he laced them all with classic joints.
Gang Starr - Moment Of Truth
There's nothing quite like Guru getting real on a track, and "Moment Of Truth" is one of his finest moments. Of course, the emotional strings are tugged even harder by the strings of Billy Paul, which are sampled throughout the track.
Mos Def - Mathematics
One of Mos Def's finest moments as an MC came on "Mathematics," when he details the broken system with numbers. The point was that much more powerful with an ace beat from our subject. You'll have to listen to this one for years before you catch every nook and cranny of Mos Def's message, but it's certainly worth it.