DJ Premier

Today in Hip-Hip History: Gangstarr Dropped Their Sophomore LP ‘Step Into The Arena’ 32 Years Ago

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On this date over three decades ago, Chris Martin b.k.a the legendary DJ Premier and Keith Elam b.k.a the Guru (Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal) put together Gang Starr’s second and possibly most memorable album, Step Into The Arena. The duo was one of the first groups signed the newly formed Chysalis/EMI label after ditching Wild Pitch Records following their debut album, No More Mr. Nice Guy.

With production solely in the hands of Preemo and Guru, the raw, gritty sound that helped mold New York Hip Hop during its Golden Era can be found in many facets of this project, which is somewhat surprising coming from a rapping teacher from Boston and a DJ from Houston, Texas who just happened to link up in East New York, Brooklyn. Tracks such as the jux-inspired “Just To Get A Rep”, the consciously cool lyricism of “Who’s Gonna Take The Weight” and the hilarious bug-a-boo fueled “What You Want This Time?” showed and proved Gang Starr’s innate ability to capture an experience on wax that all listeners can feel.

Salute to Preemo, the Elam family and everyone else involved in creating this piece of Hip Hop history!

#ripGURU

The post Today in Hip-Hip History: Gangstarr Dropped Their Sophomore LP ‘Step Into The Arena’ 32 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hip History: Gangstarr Dropped Their Sophomore LP ‘Step Into The Arena’ 32 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

DJ Premier, Non Phixion, And ILL BILL Release Clean And Instrumental Versions Of “Rock Stars”

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DJ Premier has been fairly active this year for his standards. He is not one to release a lot of material period. But for some reason he has been extra generous this time around. He has put out a project and several singles.

The Houston, Texas producer continued his series of Beats That Collected Dust with the third volume. On the singles side of things, he has worked with some underground names and more mainstream artists too. Namely, he teamed up with Westside Gunna and Rome Streetz on “Runway.” This time, he is back, but with a rerelease of song from 21 years ago.

Read More: GloRilla & Moneybagg Yo Attend Ja Morant’s Memphis Homecoming

Listen To “Rock Stars” By Non Phixion, ILL BILL, And DJ Premier

It was a beat he made for underground rap outfit Non Phixion and ILL BILL. “Rock Stars” painted a picture of fame and living like a superstar after making it in music. The song landed on Phixion’s 2002 record, The Future Is Now. All three have decided to push it back out to the public with a clean and instrumental version. You can hear the new renditions above.

What were your initial thoughts on “Rock Stars” by DJ Premier, ILL BILL, and Non Phixion? Was this the best song from The Future Is Now, why or why not? If not, which song was better in your opinion? Where does this rank amongst the rest of Premier’s beats? Who had the best performance on the track and why? We would like to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your hottest takes in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around DJ Premier, Non Phixion, and ILL BILL. Finally, stay with us for all of the best song drops throughout the week.

Quotable Lyrics:

If I say rock star, I’m talking about rocking the mic
My s***’s hot like the rock a fiend drop in a pipe
These cats is idiots, with raps so p***y they catch periods
I’m serious, my life is like a drug experience
A p**no movie with no plot and I’m the only guy in it
Like Vivid videos with Kobe Tai dime b*****s

Read More: Cardi B’s Blonde Hair Causes Controversy, She Denies “Watching B**ches” To Copy Them

The post DJ Premier, Non Phixion, And ILL BILL Release Clean And Instrumental Versions Of “Rock Stars” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

DJ Premier Taps Common To Rap Over “In Moe” Instrumental

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DJ Premier is an iconic producer who has really influenced many others to follow in his footsteps. His career has lasted for decades and it is pretty obvious as to why. He might go down in hip-hop history as the greatest to ever lay down an instrumental. Over the course of his time in the industry, he has not dropped too many projects of his own.

However, over the past year and change, Premier has been staying pretty active. Just last year, he teamed up with Bumpy Knuckles for a 17-song project, KoleXXXion. Then, at the end of June 2023, Premier did his thing for Teflon’s tape, 2 Sides To Every Story. Finally, the Houston native came out with his first solo LP in about 12 years. That was with the third installment of the Beats That Collected Dust series, which began in 2008.

Read More: NLE Choppa Teams Up With Producers, Aarne And Imanbek, For “Ice”

Listen To “In Moe (Speculation)” By DJ Premier And Common

Now, one of those beats is getting some serious bars laid down on it. The rapper joining him in the booth this time is Illinois legend, Common. He tackles the slow-mo, boom-bap production on “In Moe.” The new title was revamped to “In Moe (Specuation).” Common is still showing flashes of greatness all these years later.

What are your initial thoughts on this brand-new single from DJ Premier and Common, “In Moe (Speculation)?” Is Common a top-five rapper of all time? Is DJ Premier a top-five producer of all time? We would like to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your hottest takes in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around DJ Premier and Common. Furthermore, stay with us for all of the best song drops.

Quotable Lyrics:

Charge into the game or give Chicago crash
Chi’ n****s get dough, is that just how they bred?
Carryin’ toasts like a celebration
Why do they hate he, like a undeveloped nation?
It’s levels to this, mines is elevation
I excel, LL acceleration

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The post DJ Premier Taps Common To Rap Over “In Moe” Instrumental appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

DJ Premier And Common Drop Visuals For “In Moe” (Speculation)

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Before the surprise surprise release of Beats That Collected Dust, Vol. 3 in September, it had been over a decade (Vol. 2 was released in 2011) since DJ Premier released a volume of the fan-favorite series.  

As is the case with every Volume, every beat has its own unique origin story; from who they initially may have been produced for, to why they ended up collecting “dust.”  The beats may be dusty, but they still bang, and one of Beats That Collected Dust, Vol. 3 standouts, “In Moe,” has now added another chapter to its story, as the instrumental has been graced with vocals from legendary multi-hyphenate Common.  

While it’s been far too long since they last collaborated, Preem and Common demonstrate they still “play life and music in the same key,” and just like they did with “The 6th Sense” (the lead single from Common’s classic, and Grammy Nominated Like Water For Chocolate album), DJ Premier and Common catch lightning in a bottle again with “In Moe” (Speculation).  “In Moe” (Speculation) is now available at all DSP’s and you can now watch the video below.

“In October, I posted a clip of me playing the “In Moe” (Instrumental) Vinyl on IG, and the comments went crazy.  It’s currently at 4.4 million views.  Artists like Busta Rhymes, Action Bronson, and Common said they would love to rhyme on it” DJ Premier shares. 

“Common delivered a dope verse that same week. On the night of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame event, Chaka Khan went on her IG Live during her induction and brought Common onstage during her performance to do the Melle Mel verse of “I Feel For You.”  I called him the next morning to see if we could do a video at my studio while he was still in NY.  We only had a short window, due to me going to 45 King’s funeral, and then to another wake later that night for my co-manager’s father-in-law.  The energy was very positive that day, and we accomplished the mission. “

In addition to their new single and video “In Moe” (Speculation) being released (Common’s first new single in over two years), Premier will also be performing at tonight’s 24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards in Seville, Spain.  Preem will perform alongside Feid, as their collaboration, “Le Pido A Dios,” is nominated for Best Hip-Hop/Rap Song.

The post DJ Premier And Common Drop Visuals For “In Moe” (Speculation) first appeared on The Source.

The post DJ Premier And Common Drop Visuals For “In Moe” (Speculation) appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: KRS-One’s ‘Return Of The Boom Bap’ LP Turns 30 Years Old!

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Blastmaster KRS 1 dropped his first solo album 30 years ago today.

Sometimes the best way to do things is to do it yourself. This is the realization that KRS, the general of the Boogie Down Productions crew, came to when he dropped Return Of The Boom Bap. It was his first solo LP and was recorded almost totally in the legendary D&D Studios. With production from DJ Premier, Kid Capri, and Showbiz of Showbiz & A.G. while being promoted and marketed by Jive Records, this album is one of Hip Hop’s buried treasures. Rated 4 mics by The Source Magazine, songs like “Outta Here” spoke directly to new jack emcees seeking fame, while tracks like “Black Cop” and “Sound Of The Police” spoke consciousness to the masses and still rocked the clubs. The album peaked at #37 on the Billboard 200.

We thank the Blastmaster for such a classic project that has stood the test of time. Salute!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: KRS-One’s ‘Return Of The Boom Bap’ LP Turns 30 Years Old! first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: KRS-One’s ‘Return Of The Boom Bap’ LP Turns 30 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

DJ Premier Unleashes More “Beats That Collected Dust, Vol. 3 (Instrumental)”

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Houston is home to many legendary hip-hop names across the board. Whether it be rappers or producers, this city continues to produce talent like not many others can. DJ Premier is one of those household names that will go down in the history books as one of the most well-respected and beloved figures. He really needs no introduction anymore since his career has now spanned over 30 years in the industry.

While he has worked so consistently over the years, Premier has not put out that much solo material. Since 2008, only four projects have headlined his name. However, he does have a trio of works now that possess some instrumentals that never got to see the light of day. HipHopNMore got some information behind this latest entry, Beats That Collected Dust, Vol. 3 (Instrumental).

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Listen To Beats That Collected Dust, Vol. 3 (Instrumental) From DJ Premier

Apparently, some of these beats were meant for big names such as Westside Gunn, Kanye West, and Kendrick Lamar. It is a shame because these are fantastic. “I like unique releases and Beats That Collected Dust is so unique.” Premier continues, “I decide when to release these instrumental volumes when they reach the stage of collecting dust.” It certainly is a one-of-a-kind procedure and it is what makes him such a legend.

What are your initial thoughts on this brand new instrumental album, Beats That Collected Dust, Vol. 3 (Instrumental), from DJ Premier? Is this his best collection of beats ever? Is this the best installment in the series? We want to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the hottest album releases, as well as all of the latest breaking news around the music world.

Beats That Collected Dust, Vol. 3 (Instrumental) Tracklist:

  1. WOOOWOOOWOOO (Instrumental)
  2. Really (Instrumental)
  3. Kelly B (Instrumental)
  4. Eiht 45 (Instrumental)
  5. Climbmax (Instrumental)
  6. Here We Go (Instrumental)
  7. HAYE (Instrumental)
  8. Bah Dah (Instrumental)
  9. Bogart (Instrumental)
  10. Tha Can (Instrumental)
  11. Dee Ell P (Instrumental)
  12. DMX Bark ‘n Growl (Instrumental)
  13. Spaced Dem Mo (Instrumental)
  14. Shy Role (Instrumental)
  15. Perc Pad (Instrumental)
  16. Bobble (Instrumental)
  17. In Moe (Instrumental)
  18. Episode 207 (Instrumental)

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[Via]

The post DJ Premier Unleashes More “Beats That Collected Dust, Vol. 3 (Instrumental)” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

DJ Premier Releases ‘Beats That Collected Dust, Vol. 3’

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If there was a Mount Rushmore for producers, DJ Premier would surely be one of the faces etched in stone upon it.  Over the last three+ decades, DJ Premier has cultivated an impeccable resume and has done so with a wide breadth of collaborators encompassing many different genres.  Undoubtedly, DJ Premier is a true innovator, one who has not only created timeless music, but one that has both shaped and moved the culture forward. 

In a career full of milestones, DJ Premier keeps adding new ones, as he was just nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for his collaboration (as a featured artist and producer) “Le Pido A Dios” with Feid and starred in a time-traveling, five-decade spanning commercial with Don Toliver which MTV used to segue-way into the recent VMA’s 50th Hip Hop Anniversary tribute performance. In 2008, Premier released the first volume of Beats That Collected Dust, which over the years has become a fan favorite due to the series’ personalized nature; these aren’t random instrumentals that are culled together, these are productions that DJ Premier produced specifically for other artists that ended up not being used.Though it’s been over a decade (Beats That Collected Dust, Vol. 2 was released in 2011) since he released a volume, DJ Premier has now surprise released Beats That Collected Dust, Vol. 3, a brand new installment of beats; each one with its own unique origin story, from who they were initially produced for, to why they ended up collecting “dust.” “I like unique releases and Beats That Collected Dust is so unique.  I also love the process of titling a project.  I’ve always been responsible for titling all the projects I produce, and Beats That Collected Dust is so fitting” DJ Premier reveals.  “The format is an original tool, just like talk beds, freestyles, writing verses, and just plain listening.  I decide when to release these instrumental volumes when they reach the stage of collecting dust.  So here we are; Beats That Collected Dust, Vol. 3 is here and vinyl has arrived.”These beats are dusty, but they still bang!DJ Premier’s Beats That Collected Dust, Vol. 3 is now available via TTT Records.You can now purchase, stream, add, and favorite Beats That Collected Dust, Vol. 3 at your preferred DSP: https://ingrv.es/beats-that-collected-ih5-5Beats That Collected Dust, Vol. 3 TRACKLISTING:WooWooWooReallyKelly BEiht 45Climb MaxHere We GoHayeBah DahBogartThe CanDee Ell PBark ‘N GrowlSpaced Dem NoShy RolePerc PadBobbleIn MoeEpisode 207 ***All Tracks Produced By DJ Premier

The post DJ Premier Releases ‘Beats That Collected Dust, Vol. 3’ first appeared on The Source.

The post DJ Premier Releases ‘Beats That Collected Dust, Vol. 3’ appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Kanye West Dropped His Third LP ‘Graduation’ 16 Years Ago

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On this day in 2007, the “old” Kanye released his third studio album, the last of his scholastically themed albums, which is aptly titled Graduation on the Def Jam/Roc-A-Fella imprint.

With the success of his The College Dropout debut and his sophomore Late Registration, Kanye was already on an unprecedented ascension that popular culture was totally unprepared for. The concurrent releases of 50 Cent’s Curtis album and Graduation also created a unique promotion of both projects. However, with West as the newer, “rookie” artist, he was the favored underdog in the competition between the two. Graduation was the obvious winner in terms of sales, selling almost a half-million copies on its first day on the shelves.

Graduation offered several smash singles that gave Ye’ propelling momentum beyond his musical peers and set him well above the rest. Songs like “Can’t Tell Me Nothing,” “Stronger,” and “Good Life” with T-Pain on the help-out made 2007 probably the best year of Kanye’s career. Aside from the fact that Graduation earned Kanye a Grammy and an AMA, this last installation of his tetralogy served as the last piece of happiness before tragedy struck when Ms. Donda West passed away from coronary artery disease and multiple post-operative factors due to or as a consequence of liposuction and mammoplasty just two months later.

Salute to Yeezy, DJ Premier, T-Pain, Lil Wayne, and everyone involved in the Graduation album. Definitely an important piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Kanye West Dropped His Third LP ‘Graduation’ 16 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Kanye West Dropped His Third LP ‘Graduation’ 16 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.