dj jazzy jeff ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Rakim & LL Cool J Perform A Boomin’ Tribute To Marley Marl

Earlier this month (October 3), the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards taped in Atlanta, Georgia. The awards show now aired tonight (October 10). Among its highlights was producer/DJ Marley Marl winning the coveted I Am Hip Hop Award in the culture's ceremonial 50th year. Marley Marl is the Queens, New... Read more

October 10, 2023 TV, TV/Film, Video

Hip-Hop Legends From The Last 50 Years Gave The Most Iconic Tribute Ever

Last night (February 5), the Grammy Awards celebrated Hip Hop's upcoming 50th birthday. LL Cool J, one of the culture's first superstars, introduced the special concert, in which he also performed. During the presentation, LL pointed to August 11, 1973, and the Bronx back-to-school jam at a rec center, made... Read more

February 6, 2023 Video

DJ Jazzy Jeff Says Will Smith Would Have Slapped Mike Tyson

In 1989, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince released the song "I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson," the Rocky-inspired lead video single from their aptly-titled And In This Corner... album. Iron Mike appeared in the Jive/Zomba music video, and according to Jeff some years back, was not above... Read more

June 29, 2022 Video

Jazzy Jeff Explains The Death Of DJs In Hip-Hop Groups

DJ Jazzy Jeff has served as a global ambassador of Hip-Hop culture for well over 35 years. Even before the Southwest Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native won a Grammy Award, he was a DMC champion mixmaster. The creator of Vinyl Destination and The Playlist Retreat has taken his skills (and a few... Read more

March 25, 2022 Video

Conway The Machine Collides With DJ Premier For Something That’s Nothin’ Less Than Dope

Last Friday (September 11), Conway The Machine released his third project of 2020. Following March's Alchemist-produced LULU and May's Ghost LTD-helmed No One Mourns The Wicked, the Buffalo, New Yorker steps forth with From A King To A God. In one of the busiest seasons in Hip-Hop history, Griselda continues the... Read more

September 14, 2020 Audio, Fresh

This 1998 Black Thought & Common Freestyle Is An Incredible Hip-Hop Moment In Time

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's own DJ Cosmo Baker is known worldwide for his connection to Hip-Hop and Neo-Soul, frequently creating classic party series such as The Rub and The Remedy. The latter, which he hosted alongside DJ Rich Medina, helped to spotlight artists such as The Roots, J Dilla, Jill Scott, and... Read more

November 23, 2019 Audio, Throwback, Throwback

DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK Heat It Up For The 10th Straight Summertime Mix (Audio)

The legendary DJ Jazzy Jeff gets together with noted mixtape DJ, MICK, annually to drop a definitive mix to welcome the hot weather of July and August. Their Summertime Mixtape Volume 10 marks a full decade that they have been knocking out these season specific collections of jams. So, of... Read more

July 5, 2019 Audio, Mixes

Jazzy Jeff & Will Smith Re-Create From Da South 25 Years Later & It Sounds FRESH

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince have been back in form lately. With some new music creeping out, Jeff and Will Smith have an unbreakable bond that goes back nearly 35 years. At the top of a newly-released video, The Fresh Prince jokes that the man who discovered him... Read more

June 26, 2019 Video

dead prez & Andra Day Come Together To Shed Light On Injustice (Video)

Respected DJ/producer J. Period (Black Thought, Common, K'naan) wanted to pump up the activism in Hip-Hop. He rallied peers including DJ Khalil, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Young Guru to executive produce a compilation that reminds fans of music’s power to evoke social change. The 10-track The Rise Up Project brings... Read more

June 15, 2019 Video

A Short Film Shows What The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air Would Look Like In 2019

Next year, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air turns 30 years old. It's been nearly three decades since Will Smith introduced America to a fictionalized version of himself, playing a West Philadelphia-native who gets relocated to Bel Air, California to stay out of trouble and live with his extended family. During... Read more

March 12, 2019 TV, TV/Film, Video

A Haunting DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince Music Video Makes Its Return After 30 Years

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's 1988 sophomore, the He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper double album is iconic for many reasons, but one of them may have been forgotten during the commotion of the project's success. "A Nightmare On My Street" is one of the most memorable Hip-Hop adaptations of... Read more

November 1, 2018 Throwback, Video

Will Smith Gives 1 Of His Realest Interviews. He Says He’s Finally Being Authentic (Video)

Will Smith is at a crossroads in his career. Throughout the last 33 years, the West Philadelphia native has balanced music, film, TV, philanthropy, and a celebrity family. In all of those fields, the 49-year-old has seemingly thrived on the highest level. Recently, two freestyles showed a fierce return to... Read more

July 16, 2018 Video

DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK’s 9th Annual Mix Means Summertime Is In Effect Mode (Audio)

DJ Jazzy Jeff and MICK (fka Mick Boogie) are back with the latest entry of their Summertime mix series. Since 2010, the two kings of party-rocking have linked up to release the annual 4th of July mixtape inspired by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's hit single. These mixes,... Read more

July 4, 2018 Audio, Mixes

DJ Jazzy Jeff’s New Album Is A Magnificent End To An Incredible Trilogy (Audio)

Different eras of Hip-Hop fans may know DJ Jazzy Jeff for various achievements in his career. Some first encountered Jeffrey Townes' turntablism and production skills thanks to DJ Jazzy & The Fresh Prince. Others have learned of the innovating mix-master through his stellar solo career, mixtapes, and collaborative works. With... Read more

May 8, 2018 Audio

DJ Jazzy Jeff Is Releasing The Magnificent 3 & He’s Finally Free To Do It His Way (Video)

DJ Jazzy Jeff is still heavily involved in music, but these days it's in a different capacity. Jeff's newest project is providing the sounds for The Trinity – a collective of Rhymefest, Dayne Jordan and Uhmeer. The group has a new album coming out under Jeff's imprint, M3, and the... Read more

May 2, 2018 Video

30 Years Ago DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince Gave Hip-Hop Something Brand New (Video)

Thirty years ago this week (March 29, 1988), DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince released a landmark double-album courtesy of He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper. At a time when Rap music was just getting comfortable with the album format, an MC/DJ battery from West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania raised the... Read more

March 30, 2018 Do Remember

DJ Jazzy Jeff Explains Why Chance The Rapper Would Be A Great New Fresh Prince (Video)

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air broadcast its 148th and final episode on May 20, 1996. At that time, Will Smith was 27 years old and progressing into film for what has proven to be an incredible entertainment career. The MC-turned-actor from West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania had won two Grammy Awards. He... Read more

March 2, 2018 TV, TV/Film, Video

Wu-Tang Clan To Perform 36 Chambers At 2018 Soundset Festival

Rhymesayers Entertainment's 11th annual Soundset lineup is announced. For 2018, the Minneapolis, Minnesota Hip-Hop festival will feature some of RSE's founders and quite active artists. Event co-organizers Atmosphere will perform on the heels of reissuing their 1997 debut Overcast!. Slug, Ant, and company will be joined by Evidence, following last... Read more

February 28, 2018 Fresh

Pete Rock & J Dilla Birthed A Beat Generation That Shaped The Future (Audio)

Within the space of three months in 2001, two of Hip-Hop’s preeminent producers, J Dilla and Pete Rock were in a kind of competition, and this led to the release of two ground-breaking albums that would shape the sound of the genre for the next decade and beyond. According to... Read more

January 4, 2018 Do Remember

Jaden Smith Is Out To Eat Other MCs For Breakfast…Including His Father (Audio)

Since his days as The Fresh Prince, Will Smith's music career may live in the backseat of his Hollywood accomplishments, but it is the impetus. In five albums with DJ Jazzy Jeff and some solo releases, Will Smith was gifted at making songs for mainstream and youth America while still... Read more

November 17, 2017 Audio

Will Smith & DJ Jazzy Jeff Perform Their First New Song In Nearly 20 Years (Video)

In the late 80s and early 90s, DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince were one of the most dynamic duos in Hip-Hop. From 1987 to 1991, they went on a run that included smash singles like "Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble," "Parents Just Don't Understand," and "Summertime." During that... Read more

August 28, 2017 Video

Jazzy Jeff Shows He’s Not Just A DJ. He’s A Master Producer Too (Video)

DJ Jazzy Jeff is not just one of Hip-Hop's most celebrated turntablists and party-rocking DJs, he's a highly accomplished producer. The West Philly force was behind the sounds on those acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning moments alongside The Fresh Prince. In the years since, Jeff has unleashed a series of celebrated albums,... Read more

August 23, 2017 Video

DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK’s Summertime 8 Mix Gets The Cookout Party Started (Audio)

2017 marks eight years since DJ Jazzy Jeff and MICK (fka Mick Boogie) started their Summertime series. From jump, these became some of the best things to look forward to in 2010s Hip-Hop. True to the sets of each acclaimed DJ, these mixes flex Hip-Hop, R&B, Rock, Funk, Jazz, and... Read more

July 4, 2017 Audio, Mixes

DJ Jazzy Jeff Wants His New Project To Give You Goosebumps. Listen & Chill. (Audio)

DJ Jazzy Jeff has kept a tight catalog. Outside of his award-winning, multi-platinum work with The Fresh Prince, the Philadelphia DJ/producer launched his Magnificent series, introduced protege MC Dayne Jordan, and played a key role with The Roots, Jill Scott, and others. In a sneak attack of sorts, Jeff releases... Read more

February 17, 2017 Audio, Video

DJ Jazzy Jeff Shows NOBODY Rocks A Party Like He Can (Video)

For more than 30 years, DJ Jazzy Jeff has been one of the most formidable turntablists in Hip-Hop. Jeff's techniques literally transformed the way DJs approached moving crowds. As one half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Jeff was one of the last grandmasters to warrant top billing... Read more

February 16, 2017 Video

The Turntable Hip-Hop Made Famous Has Scratched The Culture That Built It

The Technics 1200s turntable is one of the tools of the Hip-Hop trade. Introduced in October of 1972, the SL-1200 has grown step-by-step with the musical culture credited with a birthday less than one year apart (August 11, 1973). Over the years, more than three-million units have sold, many in... Read more

January 3, 2017 Food for Thought

There Was Scary Good Hip-Hop In October. Here’s Some Of The Best (Audio)

October was a scary month for a number of reasons. Of course, itended with Halloween, but it also featured some of the most low rent politics the country has ever seen, with even the FBI getting into the action. What's even more frightening, amongst all the jockeying for position, there... Read more

November 7, 2016 Audio

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Rhymefest’s New Music Together Has A Lot Of People Hyped (Audio)

Last week, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Rhymefest revamped their "Jeff n' Fess" tandem after nearly a decade. They released "Mr. Officer," a powerful track featuring Eric Roberson that made no bones about showing the fear, the hurt, and the disconnect with Black citizens caused by police profiling and brutality. "No... Read more

October 18, 2016 Audio

DJ Jazzy Jeff & Rhymefest Have A Clear Message For Mr. Officer (Audio)

Producer and turntablist DJ Jazzy Jeff and fellow Grammy Award winner Rhymefest appear to have created a group, Jeff n Fess. The Philadelphia and Chicago link made its debut (and scratched at its band name) nearly a decade ago on The Return Of Magnificent, Jeff's LP. 2016 headlines and tragic... Read more

October 15, 2016 Audio

Rakim Addresses The Rumors That He Wrote DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s “Summertime”

For 25 years, there have been longstanding questions (and some rumors) surrounding DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's biggest hit, "Summertime." The 1991 Top 5 Jive/Zomba Records single from Homebase showcased a different flow from the West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC now known as Will Smith. Many speculated that the... Read more

July 18, 2016 Fresh

DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK Set Summertime 2016 Ablaze With Exclusives In The Mix

For the seventh consecutive year, DJ Jazzy Jeff & MICK (f/k/a Mick Boogie) punctuate the season with a Summertime mix. The 2016 version, also known as Summertime 7, is big on exclusives, ranging from Jeff's co-produced opener with De La Soul ("Time For Summer") to rare Pete Rock remixes of Jay Z... Read more

July 3, 2016 Mixes

DJ Jazzy Jeff Remixes “Summertime” 25 Years Later & It’s A Scorcher (Audio)

This week kicks off the official summer season. In the Hip-Hop genre, no song is more synonymous with the season than DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's 1991 platinum single, "Summertime." The Jive/Zomba Records hit was a Top 5 record for the West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania duo—the highest of their... Read more

June 22, 2016 Audio

Jazzy Jeff Wants Fans to Join Him On His Vinyl Destination (Video)

Grammy-winning producer DJ Jazzy Jeff's illustrious career has taken him around the world, several times over. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania icon is now on his fourth season of "Vinyl Destination," a web series devoted to following him on his global travels as he performs and gets exposed to vastly different cultures,... Read more

June 15, 2016 Video

Black Thought’s Fresh Freestyle Serves The Good Food To Expect At The Roots Picnic NYC (Video)

This past Saturday (June 4), the ninth annual Roots Picnic took place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hosts The Roots played alongside Pop-R&B superstar Usher, while other feature performers included Future, DMX, Swizz Beatz, Anderson .Paak and The Free Nationals, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kaytranada, Lil Dicky, Migos, Tish Hyman, Willow Smith, and... Read more

June 6, 2016 Fresh, News, Video

Bishop Nehru Touches A Jazzy Jeff Track & It’s Magnificent (Audio)

Bishop Nehru is an artist who clearly respects his Hip-Hop forefathers. Early in the Lex Records artist's career, he linked with DOOM (f/k/a MF DOOM) for a full-length project. Also down with the Mass Appeal label, it was reported in late 2014 that Nas would executive produce the MC's upcoming... Read more

June 1, 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

At The Great Wall Of China, Dayne Jordan Raps Without Boundary (Video)

DJ Jazzy Jeff protege Dayne Jordan had a big 2015. The North Philadelphia, Pennsylvania MC made Ambrosia For Heads' top albums of last year, in the honorable mention category because he gave his Memoirs Of Dayne Jordan away for free. In the new year, Jordan releases a new song in... Read more

January 31, 2016 Video

DJ Jazzy Jeff & James Poyser Took A Snowstorm & Made Some Hot Beats (EP Stream)

This past weekend, a snow storm by the name of Jonas swept through the Mid-Atlantic states, and left its mark in the form of inches of accumulation. DJ Jazzy Jeff, living in his Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was among those affected. So was James Poyser, a fellow Grammy Award-producer known for his... Read more

January 26, 2016 Audio

DJ Jazzy Jeff’s Holiday Groove Has More Than A Touch Of Jazz (Audio)

DJ Jazzy Jeff knows how to do holidays right. His and MICK's Summertime mixtape series have made the Summer months even hotter. This time, as the year comes to a close, the West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Hip-Hop legend sprinkles a new track on fans. "Xmas Is Coming!!" is a straightforward Jazz... Read more

December 20, 2015 Audio

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s Vintage Freestyle Is An MC & DJ Hallmark (Audio)

Sometime in the late 1980s, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince hit the London, England studio of Tim Westwood. In the same city where they recorded extensively as a duo at the time. Unlike MCs or DJs appearing on Westwood's show, this tandem could improvise vocally, and musically—and please... Read more

November 19, 2015 Throwback

40 DJs Come Together To Scratch, Including Jazzy Jeff, QBert, Craze & Z-Trip (Video)

These days, Hip-Hop loves a good cypher. MCs coming together to collaborate in the moment - a balance of competition and cohesion. But what about the DJs? The Red Bull Music Academy recently assembled 40 of the world's best DJs, and asked them to plug in, together at the academy's... Read more

October 12, 2015 Video

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince May Be Making Some Brand New Funk Together, Again

Earlier this month, Will Smith said he is almost certain that he and DJ Jazzy Jeff (as "DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince") are soon embarking on the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's first ever official tour, despite a nearly 30-year history. Well, according to Jeff, there is even more coming. Just... Read more

October 10, 2015 News

Will Smith Says He & DJ Jazzy Jeff Are Going On Their First Tour Ever (Video)

After recently releasing his first rap verse in ten years with a remix of Bomba Estereo's "Fiesta," Will Smith stopped by the Beats 1 studio for an interview with Zane Lowe. The new song of course draws speculation as to whether we can expect a new album from Will Smith... Read more

October 5, 2015 Video

Run-D.M.C.’s Raising Hell vs. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s Rock The House. 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

September 30, 2015 Finding the GOAT

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper vs. Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique. 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

September 22, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Ever See This Vintage Footage of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince Performing in 1987 (Video)

With the 25th anniversary of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air recently passing, here's a look back at what started it all for both Will Smith and Jeff Townes. Before the TV shows, film careers and international DJ tours, they were DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, and they... Read more

September 19, 2015 Throwback

Dayne Jordan Takes a Cue from Mister Rogers in DJ Jazzy Jeff Produced Track (Video)

With news of an impending reincarnation of the '90s sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," many are celebrating by remembering the classic moments from the Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff-inspired television show that branched out of the duo's success as a Hip-Hop act. The latter's contributions to comedy are... Read more

August 20, 2015 Video

DJ Jazzy Jeff’s Protege Dayne Jordan is a True Storytelling MC (Album Stream)

Hailing from Philadelphia, the same city that birthed Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, Dayne Jordan has been accumulating some serious knowledge from veterans in the game. With Jeff as his mentor, Jordan has been finessing the skills he's been accruing since 2009, when he released his debut project, Sand... Read more

July 21, 2015 Audio

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

Lost Ones: Common & Eminem Recorded Tracks For DJ Jazzy Jeff’s LP. Why Didn’t Sony Release It? (Video)

In a new interview with Polish Hip-Hop outlet Popkiller, DJ Jazzy Jeff shares details about much of his career, including history into his solo debut (2002's The Magnificent), his early work with Eminem, his role as the face of Starter jackets and hats, his definition of a real DJ, the... Read more

June 29, 2015 Video