gang starr Archives

Finding The GOAT Producer: DJ Premier vs. Rick Rubin. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer,” the third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more

February 14, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Act 2 Of DJ Premier & Miguel’s Collabo Is For The Love (Video)

March 13 UPDATE: The video has been released to "2 Lovin U" by Miguel & DJ Premier: Original February 21 post: Just over one week ago, Miguel was nominated for two Grammy Awards for his 2015 Wildheart album, and its corresponding single "Coffee." That ByStorm/RCA Records LP featured Tha Dogg... Read more

February 13, 2017 Audio, Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: The Sweet 16 Has Been Determined

Last night (February 5), Round 1 voting closed for "Finding The GOAT Producer." That round, launched in early January, began with 32 producers (including two Wild Card inductees into the bracket). As of today's tiebreaker between Organized Noize vs. Erick Sermon (which was within less than 1% when the polls closed),... Read more

February 6, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Blahzay Blahzay Still Sounds Great From The East…To The West (Video)

In 1996, Hip-Hop was in the middle of a shift, especially in New York City. The rugged, construction boot days were yielding to the shiny suits. Just as the Big Apple's reigning Rap star The Notorious B.I.G. had transformed from an "Unbelievable" entrance to a "Get Money" mantra involving Cristal,... Read more

February 2, 2017 Do Remember

This Throwback Playlist Celebrates The Hip-Hop That Is Never Played-Out. (Audio)

What is classic never goes out of style. In its 44th year, Hip-Hop music has plenty of that. There are records in five different decades that Rap music fans keep in rotation, no matter the medium (vinyl, CD, cassette, or digital). For those who are about the flows, beats, and... Read more

January 13, 2017 Audio, Throwback

Finding The GOAT Producer: DJ Premier vs. Large Professor. Who Is Better? (Audio)

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. The third installment of Ambrosia For Heads' annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and 2 slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to insure no deserving... Read more

January 9, 2017 Finding the GOAT

MC Eiht Reveals Why His Album With DJ Premier Is A Return To Quality Over Quantity (Video)

In the dozen years between 1994 and 2006, MC Eiht released more than 17 albums of new music. The Compton's Most Wanted front man focused on his solo career (while still doing collaborations with C.M.W., Spice 1, Brotha Lynch Hung and others) and did so at a wildly prolific rate.... Read more

December 15, 2016 Video

No More Mr. Nice Guy. DJ Premier Tells MCs & NYC DJs To Step Their Games Up (Video)

DJ Premier is known for being one of Hip-Hop's gap-bridgers. The Gang Starr producer/DJ has been a sonic leader in Hip-Hop for nearly 30 years. He has worked with artists who released records before him like Rakim and Just-Ice as well as 2010s breakouts such as Joey Bada$$ and King... Read more

December 8, 2016 Video

An Official Mix Traces The Evolution Of Freddie Foxxx Into Bumpy Knuckles & It Punches.

On Gang Starr's 1998 single "The Militia," Freddie Foxxx rapped, "When you speak of who's the dopest MCs, I don't come up / But when you speak about who's the livest MC, I stay one up." In the midst of a career transformation, the Long Island, New York veteran knew... Read more

December 7, 2016 Audio, Mixes, Throwback, Throwback

Rakim & DJ Premier’s Song Has A Message Of Wisdom, Strength & Moving Forward (Audio)

In 1999, the world was gearing up for Y2K with great angst and uncertainty. Going by the numbers this week, approximately half of the American voters are feeling angst and uncertainty in an upcoming change of offices, from the White House, to Congress, and at state levels. In a week... Read more

November 10, 2016 Do Remember

DJ Premier & Prince Paul Discuss Hip-Hop’s Generation Gap & Why We All Need Perspective (Video)

DJ Premier and Prince Paul are two legendary producers in Hip-Hop (and beyond) with discographies that span back to the 1980s. Back then, Preemo joined Guru to launch the album-making years of Gang Starr. In the very same 1989 that No More Mr. Nice Guy released, Paul celebrated strong accolades... Read more

October 26, 2016 Video

Jeru The Damaja, Big Shug & Afu-Ra Stand Tall On The Gang Starr Foundation (Video)

Tragically, at the time of Guru's 2010 death, Gang Starr had not been a unit in more than five years. Guru and DJ Premier had pursued solo ventures, putting their legendary Hip-Hop group indefinitely on hiatus. At that same time, it had been years since the attached Gang Starr Foundation... Read more

October 25, 2016 Video

Biggie, Method Man & Redman Are 3 Eternal Rap Phenomenons (Audio)

In the life and times of The Notorious B.I.G., outside of his Bad Boy and Junior M.A.F.I.A. families, two close associates were Method Man and Redman. Long before album plans existed from the members of Wu-Tang Clan and Def Squad, respectively, they were rolling with Biggie Smalls to concerts and... Read more

October 13, 2016 Do Remember

MC Eiht’s Upcoming Album Includes This DJ Premier Remix (Audio)

MC Eiht and Compton's Most Wanted have a long history with DJ Premier and Gang Starr. In 1992, Preemo remixed "Def Wish II" from the critically-acclaimed Music To Driveby album. Two years later, Eiht dropped a "Geah!" on Premier's answering machine for Hard To Earn's "Aiight Chill" interlude. Even though... Read more

October 11, 2016 Audio

Moment Of Truth: Luke Cage’s Gang Starr Episode Titles Revealed (Video)

Today (September 30), marks the premiere of the much anticipated Luke Cage, an episodic series following the Marvel superhero of the same name and starring Mike Colter, Mahershala Ali, Alfre Woodard, and others. For all the waves its making in the world of comic-book fandom, the show has been getting... Read more

September 30, 2016 Video

9th Wonder Makes A Powerful Case For Tolerance Between Generations In Hip-Hop

In recent weeks, there have been several incidents, primarily on social media, that suggest a generational divide within Hip-Hop. Three of the biggest breakout stars of the last year ran into isolated incidents, and collided with some of Rap's veterans. Beyond simply music, age played a factor in the conflicts... Read more

September 14, 2016 Food for Thought

Method Man & Ali Shaheed Muhammad Talk Luke Cage’s Full Clip Of Hip-Hop Music (Video)

Less than one month from today (September 30), the "Luke Cage" series will reach fans. Perhaps more than any other comic superhero in history, the character of "Luke Cage" is a product of the Hip-Hop Generation. The Marvel Studios series episodes all take their name from Gang Starr songs, and... Read more

August 31, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Episodes Of Marvel’s Luke Cage Series Will Be Named After Gang Starr Songs

For a run lasting more than 14 years, Gang Starr cast a profound impact on Hip-Hop music. The duo of Guru and DJ Premier released six albums together, along with gold-certified compilation, Full Clip: A Decade Of Gang Starr. The group participated in legendary tours, introduced a host of enduring... Read more

July 29, 2016 TV

This 1998 Ma$e & Guru Freestyle Brings 2 Different Sides Of Hip-Hop Together (Audio)

Six months from each other Ma$e and Gang Starr moved the Hip-Hop needle in 1997-1998. To some, that needle went in two directions. Released on October 28, 1997, Ma$e's Grammy-nominated, quadruple-platinum debut Harlem World certified the newest Bad Boy Records superstar. On March 31, 1991, Gang Starr released its first... Read more

July 28, 2016 Audio, Throwback, Throwback

DJ Khaled May Be The Key Reason Big Pun & Fat Joe’s Twinz (Deep Cover 98) Became A Hit (Video)

In 2004, the Terror Squad released #1 single "Lean Back." With verses by Fat Joe and Remy Ma, T.S. shouted out DJ Khaled. Outside of Miami, Florida, the DJ, radio personality, and producer (of the alias "Beat Novacane") was not a known name in the mainstream. In 2016, Khaled Mohamed... Read more

July 27, 2016 Video

Jeru The Damaja, Afu-Ra & Big Shug Show the Gang Starr Foundation Is Solid (Audio)

It has been more than five years since Gang Starr's Keith "Guru" Elam passed away. Today (July 17) would have been the MC's 54th birthday. While DJ Premier continues to wave the Gang Starr flag in his recent work with affiliates such as Bumpy Knuckles, D.I.T.C., and Dilated Peoples, the... Read more

July 17, 2016 Audio

DJ Premier & Dilated Peoples Reunite To Bring Torii Wolf Into The Mix (Audio)

Nearly 15 years ago, Dilated Peoples and DJ Premier crossed paths on their sophomore album, Expansion Team. The trio from Los Angeles, California did just that, on an LP that also featured production from Questlove, The Beatnuts, and Da Beatminerz. Preemo's Gang Starr brother Guru would also appear on the... Read more

June 7, 2016 Audio

DJ Premier’s 1st Fully-Produced Album Since PRhyme Is A Radical Departure. Meet Torii Wolf (Video)

Over the course of his 30 years in music, DJ Premier has been one of the most respected names in Hip-Hop. The iconic DJ and producer has worked with countless revered artists, including Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., Jay Z, Kanye West, Common, Mos Def, Dr. Dre and more, always adding... Read more

May 17, 2016 Video

Bahamadia Speaks On Artistic Integrity & Hip-Hop Womanhood, 20 Years After Kollage (Interview)

On April 2, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC known as Bahamadia celebrated the 20th anniversary of her debut album, Kollage. From her early success on radio to arriving where she is now, Bahamadia carries along with her the observations made along the way. However, the major milestones in her career are... Read more

April 4, 2016 Food for Thought

Bahamadia Speaks On Artistic Integrity & Hip-Hop Womanhood, 20 Years After Kollage (Interview)

On April 2, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC known as Bahamadia celebrated the 20th anniversary of her debut album, Kollage. From her early success on radio to arriving where she is now, Bahamadia carries along with her the observations made along the way. However, the major milestones in her career are not always... Read more

March 31, 2016 Food for Thought

DJ Premier Remixes Kanye West & Makes Him Sound Like The Old Kanye (Audio)

Throughout the last decade, DJ Premier and Kanye West have worked together several times. Whether "Classic," "Everything I Am," or Common's "The Game," Preemo has been a reigning affiliate of the G.O.O.D. Music family, and one of West's influences. Thereby, the Gang Starr member takes it upon himself to remix... Read more

February 25, 2016 Audio

Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) vs. Gang Starr’s Moment Of Truth. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

February 22, 2016 Finding the GOAT

DJ Premier Does For Yuna What He Did For D’Angelo. Made A Soul Classic (Audio)

Yuna has enjoyed an extensive career over the last decade, crossing over from Malaysian Pop into a flagship artist at the storied Verve Records imprint. She has worked with The Neptunes (both Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, individually), and Sa-Ra Creative Partners' Om'Mas Keith. On her new single "Places To... Read more

February 19, 2016 Audio

QBert, DJ Premier, Jazzy Jeff Speak On Evolution & Pressures Of DJs In Doc Trailer (Video)

Films like 2001's Scratch have covered the role of DJs in Hip-Hop music's genesis. However, the artist who uses turntables and mixers to create, alter, and present music live spans across genre. Soundtrack: The Story of the DJ is a forthcoming film that examines the mix-master. The film, made by... Read more

February 12, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Press Play On Jeru The Damaja’s 1991-1992 Guru-Produced Demo (Audio)

Jeru The Damaja emerged as one of—if not the biggest star of the Gang Starr Foundation. The Brooklyn, New York MC would sign with Guru's Ill Kid Records in the early 1990s, before releasing acclaimed DJ Premier-produced albums The Sun Rises In The East and Wrath Of The Math. Both... Read more

February 3, 2016 Throwback

Bumpy Knuckles & DJ Premier Make That BOOM BAP That Gets Heads Emotional (Audio)

Over the last 20 years, Bumpy Knuckles and DJ Premier have made numerous powerful collaborations. From the work on O.C.'s Jewelz that was one of the earliest transitions of Freddie Foxxx to Bumpy Knuckles, to Gang Starr hit "The Militia," to Underground Hip-Hop anthem "Part Of My Life," this pair... Read more

February 2, 2016 Audio

A Never Released DJ Premier Interview About “Step In The Arena” Surfaces For Its 25th Anniversary

Gang Starr's second album, Step In The Arena, was released 25 years ago. The album was one of transition for the late Guru (Keith Elam) and his partner DJ Premier (Christopher Martin). The LP was the collective's first of the 1990s, a decade they would massively influence on the musical... Read more

January 15, 2016 Throwback

DJ Babu’s Latest Throwback Mix Celebrates Gang Starr, Def Squad & Wu-Tang Clan

In the last few weeks, Dilated Peoples/Beat Junkies member DJ Babu laid out his sophomore Barbershop Mix. The only thing this throwback, free download, hour-plus mix has in common with a barber is the fresh cuts. The Southern California vet goes into his crates to extract gems by Def Squad,... Read more

December 3, 2015 Mixes, Throwback

Rick Ross & Nas Refuse To Lose In A “Black Market” Showdown (Audio)

Next month (December 4), Rick Ross will release his eighth studio solo album, Black Market. Just over one year removed from Hood Billionaire, Ricky Rozay's latest LP aims to restore the MC's status as a consistent #1 seller (five of his seven efforts have achieved this feat). Today (November 16),... Read more

November 16, 2015 Audio

DJ Premier Recreates Gang Starr’s “Who’s Gonna Take The Weight”…On The Spot (Video)

Earlier this month, DJ Premier joined Royce Da 5'9" and Adrian Younge for the first concert with all three PRhyme members. The October 13 Gramercy Theatre event also marked PRhyme's first public New York City show. AFH was in the building to catch the historic moment, which also included Younge's... Read more

October 27, 2015 Exclusive, Video

A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders vs. Gang Starr’s Hard To Earn. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

October 26, 2015 Finding the GOAT

DJ Premier Remixes A Termanology Standout, Featuring Sean Price, Lil Fame & More (Audio)

Termanology has released a new EP, Term Brady. The Lawrence, Massachusetts native has released a combined 11 LPs and EPs in the last nine years, including collaborative work with 1982 partner Statik Selektah, as well as a celebrated project with M.O.P.'s Lil Fame. There have been 12 more mixtapes in... Read more

October 13, 2015 Audio

DJ Premier Made Others’ Albums Great. Now Nas, Snoop & Dre Are There For Preemo. (Video)

In January of this year, it was revealed that Gang Starr's DJ Premier would step to the front with his solo debut, Last Session @ 320. The forthcoming LP's title serves as an homage to the West 37th Street address of Midtown Manhattan's HeadQCourterz Studios—Premier's resident studio since the early... Read more

October 10, 2015 News, Video

DJ Premier Introduces A D.I.T.C. MC…With Scratches of DMX & Grand Puba on the Hook (Audio)

Over the last 25-plus years, DJ Premier may be one of Hip-Hop's most meaningful introducers of new artists. From Nas to Mobb Deep, Jeru The Damaja to Royce Da 5'9", Preemo's music finds the greatness in many MCs. Fisher is the latest D.I.T.C.-backed artist. Showbiz and company have yet another... Read more

September 30, 2015 Audio

DJ Premier Releases The First Single With His Band, The BADDER (Video)

2015 began with an announcement that Hip-Hop turntablist/production legend DJ Premier was heading up a new band. Soon after, the collective did a stint of dates in Asia, followed by some American appearances. After just rehearsal footage, Preemo shares the first video single from the crew (known as The BADDER).... Read more

September 8, 2015 Video

Gang Starr Hit Yo! MTV Raps Amidst Their 1994 Mass Appeal, With A Freestyle (Video)

Throughout the history of Gang Starr, there were a host of important albums and movements. In the late 1990s, Guru and DJ Premier went gold (with a Top 10) in Moment Of Truth, gathering the award tour of a much-deserved greatest hits look follow-up, Full Clip. A decade prior, it... Read more

September 6, 2015 Throwback

DJ Premier & DJ Eclipse Honor Sean Price With A 3 Hour Tribute (Mix)

It has been almost one week since Sean Price left a permanent hole in the Hip-Hop culture he loved. Those who knew Sean and his music can agree that nothing has been the same. However, the out-pour of love, remembrance, and attention to Boot Camp Clik enforcer's compound bars, dry... Read more

August 14, 2015 Mixes

DJ Premier Details the Inside Story on Working With Dr. Dre & Names His Top 5 Producers (Interview)

DJ Premier and Dr. Dre are widely considered to be two of Hip-Hip's greatest producers of all-time. While the two have worked on the same projects occasionally over the last two decades, and maintained a friendship along the way, they had not had released a full collaboration, until now. The... Read more

August 7, 2015 Food for Thought

King Magnetic Hops On DJ Premier Production To Prove Status Is Irrelevant (Audio)

King Magnetic may be a newer name to some, however the Allentown, Pennsylvania native has been active on the charts. The onetime Reef The Lost Cauze protege joined the East Coast Hardcore Rap collective Army Of The Pharaohs for 2010's The Unholy Terror and 2014's In Death Reborn, both of which... Read more

July 29, 2015 Audio

DJ Premier & Dr. Dre Are Clearly Up To Something, What Could It Be?

Nas' It Was Written. The 8 Mile Soundtrack. Game's The R.E.D. Album. Only a handful of times in their careers, combined spanning more than 50 years, have Dr. Dre and DJ Premier worked on the same album in a production capacity. There would have been several more of those times,... Read more

July 19, 2015 Fresh

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Mick Boogie Release Their Annual Summertime Mix (Download)

When it comes to music, there's nothing that says it's summertime quite like DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mick Boogie's annual mix. Perfect for BBQs, sitting by the pool or cruising down the streets, their Summertime series has provided a soundtrack for the season for the last 5 years. Now, the... Read more

July 4, 2015 Audio

Mass Appeal: This Gang Starr Mini-Documentary Is A Must Watch (Video)

Here's an amazing documentary detailing the history of Gang Starr. Though the film is ostensibly about the making of their hit song "Mass Appeal," from Hard to Earn, it begins with the stories of Guru and DJ Premier even before they met and chronicles the story of the duo's rise,... Read more

June 25, 2015 Throwback

DJ Premier & Jakk Frost Re-Team for Some Throwback Gangsta Rap (Audio)

Jakk Frost is one of many MCs that are currently crafting something big with DJ Premier. The West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania veteran showed something fresh in "Dope Boy Talk." Rooted in the tradition of Schoolly D (who is referenced lyrically and sonically in the song), this is Gangsta Rap that's anything... Read more

June 1, 2015 Audio

How Does DJ Premier Rock a Party in Russia? Like an OG…Watch His 90s Boiler Room Set (Video)

DJ Premier recently took his talents to Russia. While there, he produced a track with a local artist and rocked a Boiler Room party. For his hour-long DJ set, Preemo covered the full 90s Hip-Hop spectrum, spinning music by Biggie, Tha Luniz, Nas, Crooklyn Dodgers, Boogie Down Productions, Pete Rock... Read more

May 30, 2015 Video

DJ Premier Returned From Russia With A Joint That’s Universally Dope (Audio)

Last month, DJ Premier made a cool video of him navigating the streets of Moscow, Russia. While there, he crossed paths with St. Petersburg, Russia's BMB Spacekid. Holed up in the studio, Preemo, BMB, and Los Angeles, California funkateer Anderson Paak made "Til' It's Done." Pure collaboration, it's not even... Read more

May 28, 2015 Audio