dj premier Archives

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

Wale Channels Nas & Shows Other MCs What He’s Really Like (Audio & Video)

UPDATE: Less than two days after releasing "Folarin Like" in audio, Wale drops the black-and-white video. Simplistic in its presentation, this may mark a return to early strides for the DMV star: Just a few days after releasing a response to J. Cole's "False Prophets," Wale has emerged with a... Read more

December 6, 2016 Audio, Video

Masta Ace Reveals Why The Crooklyn Dodgers Lineup Changed (Video)

In conjunction with the Spike Lee Joint Crooklyn, A Tribe Called Quest and Q-Tip began assembling a Hip-Hop collaboration for the Geffen Records soundtrack. While the film was set in the 1970s, director Spike Lee has historically attached Hip-Hop to his films. According to Q-Tip, considerations were reportedly made for... Read more

December 5, 2016 Video

Questlove Gets Nostalgic About What Makes ’90s Hip-Hop So Important (Video)

When thinking of quintessential Hip-Hop from the 1990s, the Roots are, without question, included in the conversation. That makes it hard to remember that there was a time when Questlove, Black Thought, and the rest of the band were just fans of the genre and not recording artists. It wasn't... Read more

November 28, 2016 Video

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

Joe Budden Discusses Why His Music & Personal Life Are At Their Best In 2016

If you're not constantly challenged, you're probably not doing it right. Joe Budden entered 2016 with a proven career—decorated with a cult music following, reality television history, a podcast, and an Eminem-backed super-group at his side. However, throughout the last 15 years, Joe Budden never seems to get complacent. When... Read more

October 17, 2016 Food for Thought

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

Did Chris Rivers Have The Best Verse Of The 2016 BET Cyphers? (Video)

For many Heads, the handful of cyphers that take place during the BET Hip-Hop Awards telecast are some of the most exciting aspects of the event. This year, fans had plenty to look forward to, with State Property, Dead Prez, Biv & Devoe, and others using 2016 to showcase scorching... Read more

October 5, 2016 Video

Token Torches The BET Hip-Hop Cypher While DJ Premier Cuts The Record (Video)

The 2016 Hip Hop Awards are airing on BET on Tuesday, October 4, and with them come the annual Cyphers. While this year's Cypher participants have not yet been announced, several details have surfaced about the show which was taped in Atlanta, GA on Saturday, September 17. Snoop Dogg Is... Read more

October 3, 2016 Video

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

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

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

Skyzoo Brilliantly Exacts “Revenge” On Jay Z On “Friend Or Foe Pt. 3″ (Audio)

Crown Heights Brooklyn MC Skyzoo grew up not far from the Marcy Houses that raised Jay Z. Although the two lyricists are more than a dozen years apart in age, S-K-Y always vocalized just how much S.Carter inspired his art and style. The extended, nasal bars, emphasis on brands and... Read more

June 30, 2016 Audio

Joey Bada$$ Is A Freestyle Supa Star Over Classic DJ Premier (Video)

Legendary New York City radio personality Funkmaster Flex recently launched a new series on his program that keeps the freestyle format simple. Its first episode, "Freestyle #001" featured Pro Era's Nyck Caution, the Brooklyn MC whose recent mixtape Disguise the Limit has garnered critical acclaim. On its third installment, Flex... Read more

June 23, 2016 Video

This 20th Anniversary Jay Z Mix Leaves No Doubt His Debut Was A Classic (Audio)

This Saturday (June 25) marks the 20th anniversary of Jay Z's debut album, Reasonable Doubt. The 1996 Roc-A-Fella/Priority Records LP would launch a career trajectory that has arguably been one of Hip-Hop's biggest, transcending from the Marcy Houses to the top of Hip-Hop, as well as streaming platforms, fashion, liquor,... Read more

June 21, 2016 Mixes, Throwback

DJ Premier Gives The Inside Story On The Making Of Jay Z’s Reasonable Doubt 20 Years Later

Twenty years ago, Jay Z had a hustler's ambition of releasing an album and then walking away. His lifestyle already afforded the finer things in life, so he was not making the music for the money. Rather, in his 26 years of life, he had accumulated some formidable stories that he... Read more

June 13, 2016 Food for Thought

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

Easy Mo Bee Confirms Tupac Was Trying To End The East/West Beef

Easy Mo Bee is one of the artists who worked with Tupac Shakur and The Notorious B.I.G. the closest, during the mid-1990s. While acts like Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Method Man, and Buckshot would record with both MCs, the Brooklyn, New York producer was deeply responsible for the soundscapes of Biggie Smalls'... Read more

May 23, 2016 Throwback

Rakim Narrates & The Firm Appears In Documentary On AZ (Video)

In 2004, Nas famously made single "The Unauthorized Biography Of Rakim" for his Street's Disciple album. The Queensbridge MC paid homage to the lyrical half of Eric B. & Rakim through a compelling narrative. In 2016, Rakim emerges to help tell the story of one of Nas' band-mates in The... Read more

May 19, 2016 TV/Film, Video

Greg Nice Reveals Details About The East/West Peace Album Tupac Was Recording When He Died (Video)

In the month of May, the unreleased music of Tupac Shakur has been the topic of discussion. The reported 152 songs belonging to the estate of the slain Hip-Hop superstar are said to now be in the hands of the music executive who signed him to Interscope Records in the... Read more

May 19, 2016 Throwback, Video

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

Styles P & Sheek Louch Unearth A Deep DJ Premier Cut And Put Their Shine On It (Audio)

The LOX have a bond that cannot be broken. Even when they are pursuing solo projects, the 20+ year collective of Styles P, Sheek Louch and Jadakiss are never far from each other, as they frequently serve as guests on one another's tracks. In the last 24 hours, Styles and... Read more

May 6, 2016 Audio

DJ Premier Shares the First Taste of Another Winning Collaboration (Audio)

DJ Premier's track record for collaborating with young artists outside the confines of the traditional Hip-Hop sound is arguably one of the best. From his work with Anderson .Paak to Yuna, Premo's ability to curate heat without changing the sound of his musical partner makes him the true embodiment of... Read more

May 4, 2016 Audio

Kareem “Biggs” Burke Reveals Roc-A-Fella Secrets Regarding Big L, Scarface & Ma$e

Roc-A-Fella Records' 1990s and early 2000s' reign is credited to three businessmen. While Jay Z has become one of, if not the biggest artists in Hip-Hop history, Dame Dash is one of the highest profile Rap executives. Third owner of the original Roc, Kareem "Biggs" Burke was (and remains) less in... Read more

April 9, 2016 Audio

Royce 5’9″‘s New Freestyle Shows His Time To “Shine” As A Solo Artist Is Now (Video)

For more than 20 years, Royce 5'9" consistently has been one of the most skilled wordsmiths in Hip-Hop. Coming of age with Eminem as part of Bad Meets Evil in the late 90s, Royce always surrounded himself with the best of the best, and thrived. After his 2000 single "Boom,"... Read more

April 7, 2016 Video

It Ain’t Hard To Tell… Nas’ Illmatic Is Decidedly Your Greatest Of All-Time Hip-Hop Album

Last September, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with options for... Read more

April 6, 2016 Finding the GOAT

The Final Battle: Nas’ Illmatic vs. Wu-Tang Clan’s Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Which Is Better?

Last September, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with options for... Read more

April 4, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Nas’ Illmatic vs. A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders. Which Is Better?

Last September, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with options for... Read more

April 1, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Bumpy Knuckles Warns That Another Industry Shakedown Is Coming

Sixteen years ago this June, Bumpy Knuckles released Industry Shakedown. The Long Island, Njakew York MC/producer previously known as Freddie Foxxx had not released an album since 1989's Freddie Foxxx Is Here and vented his frustrations on the music industry on this grassroots album. Featuring production from DJ Premier, Pete... Read more

March 29, 2016 News

Prodigy Gives Away An Album Bundle Featuring Ghostface, Slick Rick, KRS-One & DJ Premier

Two weeks after Prodigy released the first R.I.P. album bundle, he completes the trilogy with his third and final installment. R.I.P. 3 features major Hip-Hop influences upon Mobb Deep such as KRS-One and Slick Rick, as well as peers ranging from Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, to Alchemist, Cormega,... Read more

March 25, 2016 Fresh

Dr. Dre’s The Chronic vs. The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready To Die. Which Is Better?

Last September, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with options for... Read more

March 24, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Nas’ Illmatic vs. Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Which Is Better?

Last September, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with options for... Read more

March 23, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Nas’ Illmatic vs. Ghostface Killah’s Supreme Clientele. Which Is Better?

Last September, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: what is the greatest Rap Album Of All-Time? “Finding The GOAT Album” has considered more than 120 albums from the 80s, 90s and 2000s (40 in each), with options for... Read more

March 17, 2016 Finding the GOAT

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready To Die vs. Jay Z’s The Blueprint. 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

March 15, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Joell Ortiz Wrecks A DJ Premier Beat Like A Supa Star (Video)

Joell Ortiz's new collaboration album with producer Domingo will be released tomorrow (March 15). The project, titled That's Hip-Hop, is an ode to music that puts a premium on top-notch lyricism, and Ortiz is happy to oblige. The Slaughterhouse spitter also invited several other respected wordsmiths to join him in... Read more

March 14, 2016 Video

Dot Demo Turns A Careful Whisper Into A Crazy Freestyle (Video)

Dot Demo is one to watch. With influences like Big Pun, Nas, Jay Z and J Dilla, the Bronx, NY MC has high standards and high expectations. He recently hit Statik Selektah’s Show Off Radio and wrecked a couple of beats, turning a careful whisper into a crazy freestyle. Dot... Read more

March 11, 2016 Video

Yuna Rocks A DJ Premier Track Better Than Most MCs Do (Video)

Wanderlust - the overwhelming desire to travel - may be one of the most relatable concepts in the human experience. Whether geographically or otherwise, thoughts of arriving elsewhere can be freeing or suffocating, and Malaysian singer Yuna explores that dichotomy beautifully in her DJ Premier-produced single "Places to Go." Having... Read more

March 9, 2016 Video

Listen To The Best Hip-Hop of February (& January) 2016 In One Playlist (Audio)

The month of February brought many surprises in Hip-Hop. DJ Premier partnered with ambient songstress Yuna, for some boom bap vibe music. Blu rocked on a 45 King track reminiscent of "Hard Knock Life." Kendrick Lamar and Ice Cube got funky with Funkadelic. The Game waxed poetic with nothing but... Read more

March 7, 2016 Audio

Finding The GOAT Album: Nas’ Illmatic vs. LL Cool J’s Radio. 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

March 1, 2016 Finding the GOAT

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

Macklemore Releases “Buckshot” With KRS-One & DJ Premier. Is That “Real Hip-Hop” Enough? (Audio)

Ever since the blockbuster success of their album The Heist, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have been scapegoated as the poster children for the appropriation of Hip-Hop. To some, their catchy hooks and pop-influenced productions are anathema to the culture. The hate for the group was compounded by their win for... Read more

February 18, 2016 Audio

Vh1’s The Breaks Will Expand Into Full Series

Last month (January 4), Vh1 premiered a made-for-TV movie The Breaks. Partially based on Dan Charnas' book, The Big Payback, the series starred Hip-Hop artists ranging from Method Man to Phonte, Torae to Prince Paul, among others. The leading roles belonged to R&B sensation Mack Wilds, as well as Afton... Read more

February 16, 2016 News, TV/Film

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

A.G. Reveals All-Star Lineup For Next Solo LP & Discusses D.I.T.C. Reunion (Video Interview)

A.G. was one of the performers on hand at this past weekend's second annual J Dilla Weekend in Miami, Florida. Like fellow performers T3 (Slum Village), Black Thought, Royce Da 5'9, Diamond D, and honoree Pete Rock, Andre The Giant worked with Dilla before the producer/MC's February 10, 2006 death.... Read more

February 9, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Video