DJ Premier Tells All: The Stories Behind His Classic Records
By Jaeki Cho | Feb 18, 2011 | 2:07 pm | Permalink
Without a doubt, DJ Premier is top-five dead-or-alive, one of the greatest hip-hop producers ever, and your favorite producer’s producer won’t tell you any different. The Houston, Texas native’s sound, which consists of chopped samples looped over crisply punched drums, and accented with a signature scratch chorus, hasn’t changed much, but still fits as the perfect hip-hop soundtrack for New York’s Timberland-boots-certified street aesthetic.
Even after 22 years in the game, reports about his production credits possibly surfacing on the upcoming albums of everyone from Drake to Immortal Technique keep fans on their toes. His continuous relevance asserts that East Coast boom-bap sound is still beloved by many, and upcoming projects like the collaboration album with Pete Rock will only maintain the flame.
With that said, to the jizzing joy of those who masturbate to MPC noises, we recently went to the legendary HeadQCourterz (formerly known as D&D Studios) in Manhattan, to hear the master craftsman share anecdotes behind some of his all-time classics as one-half of the legendary Gang Starr and also as a producer for all-time greats like Jay-Z, Nas, and Notorious B.I.G. Records certainly accumulate dust, but the resume of a legend never gets old.
As told to Jaeki Cho (@jaekicho).
Bobby W. February 18th, 2011 at 03:11 PM
Further proof that Canibus is a moron and has the worst ear for beats [#28].
BillyAndyIII February 19th, 2011 at 06:25 AM
For real. What the hell was THAT fool thinking? Canibus' ear for beats is highly flawed.
Tiggidy February 25th, 2011 at 09:58 PM
I think Canibus made the right decision.
triPAUD February 19th, 2011 at 10:50 PM
I don't know what you're referencing, but that bis has had one of the better primo beats in the last year or so.
rick February 22nd, 2011 at 12:21 PM
^^^hahah did you read teh D'Angelo primo track?
kidtruth April 18th, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Canibus has a sick Premiere beat on his newest album (track is called Golden Terra of Rap) which he kills. go check it out on Youtube. Maybe the dude is finally learning how to pick beats.
dmfslimm February 18th, 2011 at 04:07 PM
once again, thank you complex. and thank you preemo. @bobby w i know right. wtf was he thinking.
Harris February 18th, 2011 at 04:24 PM
Rah Digga really passed on It's All Real? God damn, that's one of Preme's hottest beats of the last decade.
Tiggidy February 25th, 2011 at 10:00 PM
That is hard to fathom.
Phillz February 18th, 2011 at 04:28 PM
Premo is KING. GREAT breakdowns. Legendary! Want EVERYBODY who LOVES HIPHOP to check out my ode to Premo & Guru. "World Premier...Now Premiering" Hosted By DJ OnPoint featured on Thisis50.com! http://www.thisis50.com/profiles/blogs/dj-on-point-amp-phillz-the-mc
yprichb February 18th, 2011 at 05:04 PM
Premier=G.O.A.T.
Rick February 18th, 2011 at 06:03 PM
If you look at Dailey Operation's track list. You'll see DWYCK is listed as one of the tracks.
Shawn Biggs February 18th, 2011 at 06:58 PM
Where's "Bring it On" with Jay-Z off Reasonable Doubt. I'm upset it aint make the cut lol -_- SOUNDCLOUD.COM/SHAWNBIGGS
JAJ February 18th, 2011 at 07:08 PM
i cant believe all these artists passing on these dope Premo beats , Royce's Hip hop beats is a straight up banger , how anyone can pass on this beat is beyond me. Canibus & Rah Digga passing on dope Premo beats , it is crazy. Premo is the Best hip hop producer ever hands down. Keep it up Premo as long as your doing beats hip hop is alive & well !
JAJ February 18th, 2011 at 07:16 PM
Rah Digga should just retire , you know how many mcs would kill for a Premo beat & she passing on & not using these classic beats. I know she is dope 4 a female mc but damn girl get your ish 2gether. Ya & big ups 2 complex 4 this dope ass interview , love when artists go back & talk about old albums & songs.
hudes February 18th, 2011 at 07:30 PM
wheres the FORMAT with AZ or the come up? but nonetheless nice fucking read