Being new to the team allows me to review some albums and provide a helping hand to Kev, but moreover, it allows me to share my hip hop knowledge with all of you Nottinghammers. I will bring you a 5 set compilation of the Best of DJ Premier with explanations as to why I chose the tracks I did and any extra tidbits that you readers might find interesting. DJ Premier is my God, without a doubt. He is the reason I am buried in hip hop and the reason why I have loved it for so many years. Without a doubt, he is the best producer in hip hop, the King of Boom Bap and the Sultan of dopeness. Take into consideration his versatility, his ability to even let the worst of rappers sound tolerable, his creativity and imagination, as well as his signature sound that always remains fresh. Take into account that he represents the New York sound that every producer wants to have (and he ain’t even from NY), and lastly, take into account the wide variety of ears that he applies to. Some producers only attend to a particular audience, but it is safe to say that DJ Premier is a man for all seasons.

* Note… for these mixes there were some rules and regulations, more so for the freelance mixes but I tried including tunes you wouldn’t normally hear as well as his best material. So I eventually did have to limit myself.

1. “Just to Get A Rep” by Gang Starr (Step Into the Arena)
   • This was a no brainer to start things off. The synergy of sounds that Premier uses to allow Guru do his thing on this is perfect, not to mention the timely addition of the Greg Nice vocal: “Stick up kids is out to taaax”.
2. “Come Clean” by Jeru Da Damaja (Sun Rises in the East)
   • Without a doubt, this is IMO DJ Premier’s best beat. The water drops first of all, second of all the harrrrd boom bap drums and it helps how beautiful Jeru flows on this. It is most certainly one of the most complete songs hip hop has produced.
3. “Livin Proof” by Group Home (Livin Proof)
   • My producer (Remot) did an interview with DJ Premier and Preem stated that he was not happy that Dap and Melachi were the ones getting some of his best product. This is certainly one of his best beats as well; take your pick of the C.R.E.A.M scratched hook, the very subtle Marvin Gaye sample usage, the drums…man. What a joint.
4. “BLVD” by Afu-Ra feat. Guru (Life Force Radio)
   • I needed some Afu, specifically to fulfill the whole rule thing I made. He’s sort of a member, enough of a member that he passes for the Gang Starr Foundation. It’s a great beat, the horns thump in similar to that of Pete Rock, and he has those little points of silence that just jump the track off more.
5. “½ & ½” by Gang Starr feat. MOP (Blade Soundtrack)
   • Wow. There’s a war going on in this track. The strings, the xylophone, the drums, the scratches, the Mash Out Posse. Damn! I always enjoyed MOP on Premier production because MOP is about as hardcore as it gets. Grimey and raw, and of course they only add that extra ‘umph’ to the track.
6. “Me or the Papes” by Jeru Da Damaja (Wrath of the Math)
   • I left this off the original mix, but felt like I needed to add it. It shows Preem in a more delicate state doesn’t it? It’s soft with a beautiful piano loop as Jeru tells a pretty intriguing story. Not every producer can go from “1/2 and ½” to this.
7. “On The Record” by Big Shug (Who’s Hard?)
   • So one thing I’ve loved about Premier is his diverse use of sounds. On this, he makes great use of an electric guitar and if you can get over the fact that Shug is a very mediocre emcee, this is another great track.
8. “Speak Ya Clout” by Gang Starr feat. Jeru Da Damaja & Lil Dap (Hard to Earn)
   • <Preemo made it his ‘thing’ to do the beat switch up regularly. SYC has Jeru on a vicious, fast paced, horn blaring beat. Lil Dap rhymes over a more mellow beat and then Guru has a blend of both it seems. Essentially, all 3 sounds blend and its freaking genius.
9. “The Lah” by Freddie Foxx (Fat Beats Volume 1)
   • A song you might not find many places is a personal favourite for me and a huge pump up track. The dark side piano and the horror movie theme music make this track great. Add on the immensely underappreciated skills of Bumpy Knuckles and this is a huge track all around.
10. “Mass Appeal” by Gang Starr (Hard To Earn)
    • Really? One of his signature beats? No explanation needed, you all know the track.
11. “D. Original” by Jeru Da Damaja (Sun Rises In The East)
    • The 5 off beat drums lead into the broken piano and it couldn’t be more perfect. The trademark drums lace the back beat and Jeru once again goes nuts on it. Many feel this is the best track on Sun Rises, and I wouldn’t disagree.
12. “Ain’t The Devil Happy” by Jeru Da Damaja (Sun Rises In The East)
    • It’s safe to say ‘Rises’ is one of the best produced hip hop albums ever. No one denies that, but there are times that Jeru fails as an MC. He does NOT do this tremendous beat justice and he falls flat on his face on a very orchestral beat. The laughter of Rza provides for the chorus and it is wicked how Preem incorporates it.
13. “DWYCK” by Gang Starr feat. Nice & Smooth (Hard To Earn)
    • “Lemonade is a popular drink and it still is” may be the most popular thing from this song, but let’s not overlook the beat. All 3 rappers sound so natural on it, which is pretty much what Preemo has made a trademark of his.
14. “Zonin” by Gang Starr (The Ownerz)
    • Another one of my rules was to include a variety of Gangstarr sounds from different albums. “Zonin” is a great beat, great all around track with Guru being perfect on it too. The scratching on the hook is perfect and it really is a track where you kind of zone out and just listen.
15. “Ya Playin Yaself” by Jeru Da Damaja (Wrath of the Math)
    • This is an example of the genius of Preemo, who does so much with so little. The back beat, some bass guitar and other sounds that only he could use melodically all help deliver a very simple and affective track from Jeru.
16. “Equality” by Afu-Ra feat. Ky Mani (Body of the Life Force)
    • This beat is jam packed with a bunch of beautiful melodies that synergize so perfectly. The placement of sounds and instruments on this track impress me the most because there is a lot going on, but at all the right times.
17. “All 4 the Ca$h” by Gang Starr (Full Clip)
    • I dare you to not hum or dum-dum-dum this piano loop. I did it for about a year.
18. “Part of My Life” by Freddie Foxx (Industry Shakedown)
    • Another Preemo and Freddie collabo that works out beautifully (if you haven’t checked out Industry Shakedown, I REALLY suggest that you do). The sounds are orgasmic on it. There’s a lot going on and once again it seems so perfect.
19. “Up Against The Wall (Getaway Car Remix)” by Group Home (Livin Proof)
    • It really was a toss up between this and Supa Star, I had to limit it and this won barely. The timing is amazing on this. If you are a producer, you know the importance of timing in beats and it could really make or break the beat pending on where you put particular samples. Everything about this track screams hip hop.
20. “Do Ya” by Big Shug (Who’s Hard)
    • The horns, damn. People commend Pete Rock for his horns, but Preemo ain’t no slouch either. The trumpets kick in, followed by flutes of the same type of melody…I picture him leading an orchestra doing this beat. It’s so bloody good.
21. “Above the Clouds” by Gang Starr feat. Inspectah Deck (Moment of Truth)
    • Another no brainer. The Rebel INS drops one of his best verses and everything about this beat is perfect. The sample placements and the subtle bits of static throughout the track to really make it seem above the clouds.
22. “You Know My Steez (Three Men & A Lady Remix)” by Gang Starr feat. Kurupt & Lady of Rage (Full Clip)
    • We’ve all heard the original, so this tidbit was added on “Full Clip” and wow at how he flipped the original. The original beat is classic, but then what do you call this? It’s kind of ridiculous how he can make a great beat…greater.

If I had a chance to re-do this (I did it a few months ago), I’d try my best to include “Supa Star” or “Baby Pa” by Group Home. I’d also try my best to include SOMETHING off of Daily Operation…funny enough, I feel like Daily Op is their best all around album. Tracks like “Soliloquy of Chaos”, “BYS”, or “I’m The Man” can all qualify. “Take It Personal” was on an original copy as well. I hope you guys enjoy this and get ready for more Preemo. –Peace

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