So I’ve been meaning to post this up for a while now, but every time I go to do it I get distracted watching the entire Illmatic performance from Nas’ SXSW set. I’ve gone with his AZ joint venture here, but you’ll have to head over to YouTube and battle with that VEVO thing to watch the rest.
Things to note from this:
1. PREMO is on the decks!
2. AZ spits like it’s 1995 all over and I’m salivating for a potential new collab on either his or Nas’ upcoming LP.
3. The crowd is horrible. Like horrible. I feel bad for Nas. I mean, there he is performing the best hip hop album of all time. Live. With AZ. With Premo. And nothing.
This has that distinct Premo/Nas flavour, but yet still leaves me with a disappointing taste in my mouth. I haven’t listened to the album yet (which is out tomorrow, you can pick that up over here.) but from the several leaks we’ve heard, I’m yet to hear anything groundbreaking from your favourite producer’s favourite producer.
The reason I say this isn’t because the video is particularly great, it’s because of the exposure it will help give this record and the LP in general. For me, this track was the middle finger to anyone who thought Premo was falling off. It’s also the track which proves Torae as one of the nicest in the underground, as he effortlessly rides over the perfect boom-bap concoction.
Lifted from Show & A.G.’s upcoming Mugshot Music, we’ve got the Show-produced, Premo-scratched In Trouble.
This emanates that classic Show/A.G. sound which underground heads will clamour for. Those punchy horns so characteristic of Showbiz’s production down the years gives this the feel it wouldn’t be out of place on the duo’s albums of yesteryear.
I’m a little (a lot) late on posting this up, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been killing my iTunes for the last month. Easily the best Premo beat of the year is matched lyrically by the heavy-hitter Brooklynite Torae who rides over Premo’s feel-good boom-bap.
Without doubt the standout track from Torae’s latest offering, but notable mentions go to collaborations featuring Pete Rock and Large Pro who each bring their own unique formula to the project. Definitely one for the heads.
I must admit I slept on this track a little bit when it dropped a few weeks ago. But oh how I was wrong.
The visuals immeasurably add to the epicness of this track and paint a vivid picture of Premo’s journey in creating this envelope-pushing piece of history. After brief shots of Premo learning how to compose, the visual cuts back between the symphony hall and Preem’s studio equipped with Nas spitting his infectious poetry. I know this wasn’t supposed to be about Nas, but I just wished there was another verse floating around out there somewhere. We can only wait and hope.
Follow DJ Premier, Mark Ronson, Skrillex, Pretty Lights and The Crystal Method as they remix, recreate and re-imagine five traditional styles of music. Our five distinctive DJs collaborate with some of today’s biggest musicians to discover how our musical past is influencing the future.
An incredible blend of styles here, as Preemo and Nas reunite over an excellent classical production. Dramatic strings swing the track across a variety of moods to open with, before focusing into a driven, uplifting style to back Nas’ ever-replayable raps. The orchestral work once again excellently shifts moods, whilst Preemo laces the symphony with some trademark scratches, enhancing that excellent crossover feel. Interestingly, ‘of all the takes, the one you hear is the “wild” version (which means they recorded it without the metronome in their headphones) and DJ Premier conducted himself’. Genuinely excellent, and a superb slice of eclecticism.
This one is for those Premo doubters out there claiming the G.O.A.T. fell off. Premo let this one loose on his Twitter yesterday and boy does it deliver with those characteristic piano chords and rolling drum loops. This was the first time I’d checked for Mac Miller and I found myself pleasantly surprised how he comfortably rides Premo’s instrumental, even showing the ability to switch things up half-way through. In fact, I’ll be surprised if you’re still reading this and haven’t hit the download yet.
EDIT: Apparently this isn’t even going to make his album; Premo states they were ‘just kidding around’ at 6am.
Oh God. I think a little bit of wee just came out. What a day for hip-hop. So, this was always going to be the headline track from Ap’s upcoming Honkey Kong LP (August 23rd) and boy it doesn’t half deliver. Premo drops an old-school flavoured beat which sounds lifted from Gang Starr’s classic 1991 Step In The Arena. Apathy proves why he’s one of the hottest underground spitters out right now, and hearing Celph over old-school boom-bap brings me right back to last year’s superb Nineteen Ninety Nowwith Buckwild. Oh and apparently Apathy mixed the record which is the first time Premo has ever let an artist do that. How’s that for a co-sign.
Yesterday marks what would have been Keith Elam’s 50th birthday. Long-time collaborator (and one of Gang Starr’s forming members) Big Shug teams up with the-legend-behind-the-boards DJ Premier for a Guru dedication track.
The track itself isn’t much to write home about but it’s the sentiments which are undeniably important here. And more than anything gives us a moment to reminisce upon the life and times of Guru. Essential Guru here.
In support of their latest drop Monumental (cop here) Pete Rock and Cocoa Brovaz drop by with Vlad TV for a quick interview.
Here we have the threesome discussing the somewhat problematic question (in some people’s eyes; not mine I hasten to add) of who is a better producer: Dr. Dre or DJ Premier.
I think Rock covers it perfectly by stating how it’s difficult to compare the different New York gritty yet funky samples of Premo versus Dre’s famous laid back G-Funk.
From Royce’s upcoming Success Is Certain LP out July 26th. The D spitter teams up with long-time collaborator DJ Premier for this heater. Royce does his thing with this, jam-packing it full of quotables (which no doubt will be scratched into numerous choruses for years to come) although I was a little disappointed with how Premo came through on this one. I guess I just hold the man with such high standards. Oh, a few seconds of Premo tags at the start. Sorry.
Premo beats at the moment seem to be a bit like buses you know?
Anyway here’s some new Wais P for you produced by the Gang Starr beatmaker himself. This joint will feature on Wais’ upcoming EP Game & Claim. It’s always good getting visuals for a track because not only does it raise the track’s profile somewhat, but it also holds the placebo effect with me in that I seem to find the music itself much more enjoyable.
This falls perfectly into that category. Lyrically and production wise it’s nothing to blow the industry apart, yet the video ties everything together nicely and is a welcome addition to any iTunes library for those avid Premo collectors like me.
Visuals for female emcee Dynasty spitting over DJ Premier chords.
Always nice to get female emcees coming through in a genre dominated by men. I mean sure we’ve got Jean Grae, Bahamadia, Lauren Hill, *ahem* Nicki Minaj etc, but you can’t hate on new cats coming up. Especially when doing their thing over Premo beats.
This cut is from Premo’s Year Round Records: Get Used To Us which you can buy here.
I got pretty excited when I heard this yesterday so it’s only right that you have the opportunity that I had too.
Heads, you already know what hip-hop stalwart Edo G has to offer the mic, but let’s be honest here; this is all about the Premo boardwork. The greatest producer of all time comes through with his characteristic, smooth and delicate piano keys in-tact with KRS-One, Guru and M.O.P. scratches creating that signature Premo sound. It might not be his best ever beat, but it’s classic DJ Premier and deserves your attention on that basis alone.
Edo G’s A Face In The Crowd can be sampled here and copped on 17th May.
This came out of nowhere. In light of comments made by Premo a few days back, where he said Bis was the most difficult artist to work with, Bis responds with a 7 minute track aimed towards the legendary producer.
You can hear Premo’s original interview to the left and download Canibus’ response below. Looks like Golden Terra Of Rap may be their last collaboration…
The elusive Jeru The Damaja has confirmed in a recent interview that he has a new album coming with production from Large Professor, JuJu from the Beatnuts, Pete Rock and hopefully DJ Premier!
Jeru also speaks some wisdom as always on the current state of hip-hop and on receiving a shout-out from Gucci Mane. Jeru recently visited Toronto for a Guru tribute show with Canibus and R.A. The Rugged Man. Damn. Hip-hop lives. Watch the full video here.
“Reks’ third offering in the shape of Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme delivers to the underground fan with a range of subject matter, on-point rhymes, lyrical dexterity and Reks’ best selection of beats to date.”
The artist:
Born Corey Isaiah Christie in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Reks dropped out of college to pursue his dream in hip-hop. After taking the Boston underground scene by storm, Reks landed a deal with Landspeed Records who delivered his now decade-old debut Along Came The Chosen in 2001. The success which followed gave touring opportunities alongside respected emcees including Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Redman, De La Soul and his idol KRS-One. Reks’ second effort Grey Hairs (2008) is frequently cited as a classic amongst underground heads spearheaded by the impeccable Say Goodnightwith legendary producer DJ Premier.
And with this video Reks cements his DJ Premier-produced cut as the lead single to his upcoming R.E.K.S (Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme) album due to drop March 8th!
Producers include Premier himself, Pete Rock, Hi Tek, Alchemist, Nottz, Sha Money XL, Sean C & LV, Fizzy Womack and the ever-present Statik Selektah.
Oh, and this is ill as shit. Audio over at iTunes.
First off, this is just a radio rip. But this is too insane to withhold from you good people.
Assuming this is from Reks’ upcoming album R.E.K.S. and yes this was the one track I was most looking forward to. You can listen for yourself below, but where Premo usually steals the limelight on anything he touches, Reks kills this. F*ck a Nas/Premo collaboration album, this is where it’s at.
Discovered this whilst putting together my ultimate DJ Premier collection (yes, I’m still doing that) and have been meaning to post it for a while.
Take a step back to 2000 when the BEP were merely a twinkle in their mainstream father’s eye and Fergie was still a drug-crazed, sex-maniac (*rolls tongue back in*). The track itself is pure irony, but their quirky sense of humour is evident even back then in the visuals. Definitely worth a watch.
I mark my return with an hour-long sit down with two of hip-hop’s greatest ever producers: DJ Premier and Pete Rock. Such an enthralling interview and it’s fantastic to see the chemistry between the two friends and competitors as they discuss the career-defining records for not only themselves, but the artists they crafted them for.
Another mixtape for you spoiled folks, this time from rising star Diggy Simmons. With DJ Premier of all people hosting, mixing and mastering this mixtape, expect this to raise a few eyebrows.
Recent freestyles over some legendary beats (like this one, oh and this one too) showcase how good this kid is – and you’d be a fool to sleep on him. Again, I’ve not had time to listen to this just yet (too busy getting it out there for you guys!) but I’m absolutely positive that this will be well received by your ears.
First single from Premo’s Year Round Records Presents: Get Used To Us which can be copped over at iTunes right now.
As expected, Premo comes in with his trusty formula which, as we’ve seen this year with the fantastic Bun B Let ‘Em Know and Fat Joe’s I’m Gone, still sounds current twenty years on. This, however painful to admit, is a fairly forgettable effort on production and as Krs is in my overrated MC’s list, this won’t be one I revisit much.
I still hold high hopes for the album though (for God’s sake people, it’s Premo we’re talking about here!) so hit the jump and you can stream the entire album before you purchase. A try before you buy if you will.
I’m in my living room, watching Coronation Street with my Mum (hey, if you don’t know where you’ve come from, how can you possibly know where you’re headed?!) so haven’t had time to watch this.
Pretty exciting stuff though. The video has DJ Premier talking about his upcoming project for imprint Year Round Records.
Artwork isn’t too inspiring however but the features certainly are: Styles P, Royce Da 5’9″, Joell Ortiz, Saigon, Krs One, Papoose and many more…
Indi’s been raving about Battle Cry from this EP (I’ve not heard it yet so can’t comment!), and mere minutes ago Joell let the entire project loose. Tracklist and download link below.
1. Intro produced by Frequency
2. Murder produced by Statik Selektah
3. Battle Cry produced by The Audible Doctor
4. Sing Like Bilal ft. Sheek Louch, produced by DJ Premier
5. So Wrong ft. Talib Kweli, Brother Ali and Jean Grae, produced by Frank Dukes
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