Philly Icon DJ Jazzy Jeff Chooses Between Lil Uzi Vert & Meek Mill's City Anthems

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SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 09: DJ Jazzy Jeff performs during Peacock's new drama series "Bel-Air" Los Angeles Drive-Into Experience & Pull-up Premiere Screening at Barker Hangar on February 09, 2022 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for Peacock)
Between Uzi's "Just Wanna Rock" and Meek's "Dreams and Nightmares," Hip Hop legend DJ Jazzy Jeff makes his choice.

Philadelphia artists are being debated, and one of the city's icons, DJ Jazzy Jeff, is weighing in. The Rap legend began his career alongside his best friend Will Smith, and soon, the pair were a staple in the mainstream. They were teased about their propensity to avoid violent or sexually explicit lyrics. Instead, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince—their full stage name—gave us classics like "Parents Just Don't Understand," "Girls Ain't Nothin' But Trouble," and "Summertime."

Recently, fellow Philly artists Meek Mill and Lil Uzi Vert's names have been entangled in a debate. Fans have discussed whether Uzi's "Just Wanna Rock" or Meek's "Dreams and Nightmares" is the anthem for the City of Brotherly Love. HipHopDX caught up with Jeff and wanted him to share his thoughts as a native.

DJ Drama Lights The Fire

It was DJ Drama who first ignited this conversation. He was stopped by a TMZ cameraperson and offered the hot take. “I think it’s fair to say that ‘Just Wanna Rock’ has replaced — with all due respect — ‘Dreams and Nightmares’ as the new anthem of Philadelphia," he said. Of course, Uzi was one of Drama's artists so there may be a bias. "The new anthem of the Philadelphia Eagles this year. I’m looking forward to hearing that song many, many times Super Bowl weekend.”

The comments prompted Meek and Uzi to react. The latter honored his peer, calling Meek "the big homie." Uzi also acknowledged that it was far too early to compare his new track to Meek's classic. “That song like been around for a very long time," said Uzi. "And that song is still hitting exactly the same way. I’m just gonna have to see, you know, in a couple of years or a decade or whatever." Only time will tell.

DJ Jazzy Jeff Picks His Choice

UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1980: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (aka Jeff Townes and Will Smith). (Photo by David Corio/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

“I don’t think you could ever go against Meek Mill’s ‘Dreams and Nightmares,'” said the music and television great. “Lil Uzi’s ‘Just Wanna Rock’ is a dope song. Everybody loves it, but ‘Dreams and Nightmares’ took the city by storm. It took every sports team by storm. So, it’s going to be ‘Dreams and Nightmares’ for me.”

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About The Author
Erika Marie
Erika Marie is a seasoned journalist, editor, and ghostwriter who works predominantly in the fields of music, spirituality, mental health advocacy, and social activism. The Los Angeles editor, storyteller, and activist has been involved in the behind-the-scenes workings of the entertainment industry for nearly two decades. E.M. attempts to write stories that are compelling while remaining informative and respectful. She's an advocate of lyrical witticism & the power of the pen. Favorites: Motown, New Jack Swing, '90s R&B, Hip Hop, Indie Rock, & Punk; Funk, Soul, Harlem Renaissance Jazz greats, and artists who innovate, not simply replicate.
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