DJ Quik

G-Funk Legend DJ Quik’s Best Hits

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DJ Quik has become one of hip-hop’s greatest living legends. His 1991 debut album, Quik Is the Name, produced two DJ Quick songs that reached the Billboard Top 20 R&B singles chart. The album also went Platinum. Quik’s success would continue throughout the ‘90s as he dropped a handful of classic G-Funk albums.

The rap icon has earned his status as a pioneer in hip-hop through his distinct voice and multi-layered music. His production has influenced countless beat-makers over the decades. His lyrics continue to be the zenith of gangsta rap artistry. Impressive DJ Quik songs are in no short supply, but here are seven tracks that encapsulate one of the most influential careers in rap music.

7. “Summer Breeze” (1995)

“Summer Breeze” is one of DJ Quik’s best summer jams. Released in 1995 on his album Safe + Sound, “Summer Breeze” samples Jermaine Jackson’s classic hit “You Like Me Don’t You.” It’s a perfectly crafted, smooth, laid-back track that puts listeners in the headspace of chilling on the beach.

It’s also one of the more “radio-friendly” tracks from Quik. It eschews tough tales from the streets for introspective lyricism about lost summer days. Quik’s flow, the soulful vocals on the refrain, and mellow instrumentations make “Summer Breeze” a must-play at any summer cookout.

6. “Jus Lyke Compton” (1992)

The lead single from DJ Quik’s second studio album Way 2 Fonky is an illustrative homage to his hometown in a roundabout way. Released in 1992, “Jus Lyke Compton” paints a vivid yet anecdotal picture of how gang culture exists across the country. Quik’s sharp and sardonic lyrics glide over a smooth and funky beat the entire track. The song’s deeper meaning might be easy to miss due to being a head-nodding banger.

However, heads who give a closer listen will hear Quik playfully chastise various cities for being “Jus Lyke Compton.” It’s a wonderful example of introspective gangsta rap that meditates on how tales from the streets can come from all corners of the country.   

5. “Loked Out Hood” (1991)

“Loked Out Hood” is a classic G-Funk anthem by any measure. From its funky, fast-paced beat to Quik’s rapid-fire bars, the track remains one of the genre’s finest examples. Quik’s smart and illustrative lyrics about gang life are on full display here. While the track wasn’t one of the singles from DJ Quik’s debut studio album, Quik Is the Name, it has become a classic jam. “Loked Out Hood” sampled funk acts like B.T. Express and P-Funk All Stars, showcasing Quik’s knack for finding incredible songs to chop and screw. This one’s a banger, through and through.

4. “Dollaz + Sense” (1995)

“Dollaz + Sense” is a classic jam that encapsulates the essence of West Coast gangsta rap. From DJ Quik’s second album, Safe + Sound, the track tackles money, power, and bitter rivalries within the rap game. With its tongue-in-cheek title, “Dollaz + Sense” has become an all-time classic from DJ Quik’s vast library of songs.

Songs like “Dollaz + Sense” helped propel Safe + Sound to No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Decades later, Long Beach rapper Vince Staples would pay homage to the song on his 2022 album Ramona Park Broke My Heart. That track was appropriately titled “DJ Quik.”

3. “Put It On Me” (2002)

“Put It on Me” is an incredible collaboration between two West Coast Rap icons. The song originally appeared on the soundtrack to the 2001 film Training Day. It would later be released on DJ Quik’s sixth studio album, Under tha Influence, the following year. The track was produced by legendary rapper/producer Dr. Dre, who might be the only West Coast figure to meet DJ Quik’s greatness. Dre lays down a couple of verses, but the lion’s share of rapping comes from Quik’s bravado. The song was a hit single and helped propel the Training Day soundtrack to No. 3 on Billboard’s Top Soundtracks chart.

2. “Pitch In On A Party” (2000)

“Pitch In on a Party” was the lead single from DJ Quik’s fifth studio album, Balance & Options. The track is a party anthem that effortlessly blends funky basslines, a catchy hook, and snarky rhymes. Quik’s ability to craft songs with broad appeal through universal themes of throwing down on a good party is in full effect here.

With a classic G-Funk beat and Quik’s sharp lyrics, “Pitch In on a Party” is an infectious track that encapsulates the spirit of wild gatherings. This track is a banger for any house party or summer bash and represents some of Quik’s best latter-day work.

1. “Tonite” (1991)

“Tonite” is a West Coast banger that embodies the vibrant sounds of G-Funk. With its funky beat and sultry hook, the track has become an enduring classic within the genre. The song reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks charts and helped propel DJ Quik’s debut album, Quik Is the Name to classic status.

The song recently appeared in the 2023 film, You People, starring Nia Long, Lauren London, Eddie Murphy, and Jonah Hill. The opening beat of the track is an earworm that even casual listeners will recognize. It’s hard to determine which DJ Quik song has the longest legs, but “Tonite” is a track that is larger than life.

The post G-Funk Legend DJ Quik’s Best Hits appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Snoop Dogg & DJ Quik Sends the Game Love After Losing Close Friend to Murder-Suicide

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It’s never easy to lose your best friend, especially when they’ve been rocking with you since the very beginning. Prayers to The Game, who is currently grieving over the loss of his hype-man, Avante “AR” Rose. Apparently, AR passed away after committing suicide. 

Sharing to his 13.8 million followers on Instagram, the Los Angeles rapper opened up to his followers about the loss of AR, posting multiple photos of themselves together and with some big names like Drake, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg.

In the caption, The Game writes, “I waited a few days because the initial impact of hearing you were no longer here on earth, simply crushed me.”

“Since kindergarten it’s been me & you side by side going through life together. Staying up past our bedtimes watching WWE, to walking to the store to get a soda & chips every time we mowed another lawn & made $1 a piece, to growing up, smoking our 1st joint together, stealing cars, joining gangs, waiting on each other to get out of jail, sellin dope, gettin shot & surviving it all so that we could learn how to rap from watching “106 & Park”…… travel the world, stamp 4 passports, meet fans & see places we never imagined… It was ALWAYS “Chuck & AR”. It hurts my hurt to know that all I have left is my memories & I’ve been drowning them with my tears this entire weekend.”

The Game even reveals he was crying as he typed the caption. He continues, “I miss you so much !!! My emotions are all over the place because of the entire situation & it’s hard to feel the way a person should normally feel when losing a best friend, brother… due to the fact that you not only took your life, but you took someone else’s as well. I send a tremendous amount of prayers to her family and my heart is with you all as you process the untimely death of your daughter, sister, niece, cousin, family member. In no way shape or form do I mean any disrespect at all or condone his actions in the matter but I promise you didn’t know the Avante I did. The Avante I grew up with, fought with, cried with & stood back to back for 30 years with was a happy, comedic father & friend who loved hard & would literally do anything for me, my children or anyone he loved.”

AR was also present for each of The Game’s children’s births and didn’t miss any of their birthday parties. He was also there for The Game when he got shot and woke up from his coma, even being the one to take The Game home.

Via SNBC13, apparently, Rose shot his girlfriend, Kassandra Arevaloz, before taking his own life a few days later. Allegedly, Rose and his girlfriend argued before the shooting transpired, and she was pronounced dead when Torrance Police arrived at the scene.

Snoop Dogg paid his condolences by posting a throwback photo of himself with AR and The Game, with the caption, “AR🌹🙏🏾 condolences to the female who lost her life 🌹🙏🏾”

DJ Quik also sent his love by tweeting a photo of the Game with prayer hand emojis.

The post Snoop Dogg & DJ Quik Sends the Game Love After Losing Close Friend to Murder-Suicide appeared first on The Source.

DJ Quik Returns with New Single “Class” from Upcoming 10th Album

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DJ Quik Returns with New Single "Class" from Upcoming 10th Album

West Coast hip-hop legend is back with a new single, “Class.” The song is an intro to the 10th full-length album from Quik that will be released through his own Mad Science Recordings and Compound Interest.

The new single blends West Coast flavor, laden with harmonies, jazzy guitar, and a laidback beat. Quik’s trademark flow is also present in the new track.

The upcoming record by Quik will be his first significant work since the critically acclaimed 2017 collaboration, Rosecrans with Problem. Quik is set to join forces with West Coast heavyweights Mack 10, Warren G, The Dogg Pound (Daz & Kurupt), Suga Free, Amanda Perez, and Kid Frost for the “Cali Classic Tour.”

You can tap into the new single below.

The post DJ Quik Returns with New Single “Class” from Upcoming 10th Album appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] DJ Quik Says He Was Told Not To Look At Michael Jackson When He Was In The Studio

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West Coast gangsta rap pioneer DJ Quik was recently interviewed on the All The Smoke podcast and talks about the times he was around late music icon Michael Jackson. The Compton rapper/producer says that his first run-in with MJ was during the recording of his 1991 single “Tonite”.

Quik says that he was at Westlake Studios, where Michael recorded his epic Thriller LP and says that MJ’s team made a strange request when he came into the studio.

“They came through, warned everybody that Michael was finna come through, and he didn’t want nobody to see him coming through or looking, right? We taking a break from the studio, and these guys come in, and they was like, ‘We about to bring somebody through here, can you turn and face the wall?’”

Nevertheless, Quik says he and his team faced the wall when he passed through the studio. He added, ‘It’s like damn, Mike didn’t want anyone to look at him, the f*** is this?” 

The post [WATCH] DJ Quik Says He Was Told Not To Look At Michael Jackson When He Was In The Studio appeared first on The Source.

DJ Quik Thought Michael Jackson Didn’t Like Him

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DJ Quik is a renowned American rapper and record producer. The artist grew up in a musical family and started his career in the late 1980s as a DJ before releasing his own music in 1991. His initial album became a commercial success. As a result, DJ Quik, whose real name is David Marvin Blake, has crossed paths with many of the big stars of the 90s. In a recent episode of All The Smoke, a podcast, Quik reveals that he had multiple encounters with the late music sensation Michael Jackson.

One of the most famous singers of all time, Michael Jackson had a wildly successful career. He had been in the Jackson 5 as a child before moving into his solo career. At the height of his career, everyone was dying to meet and work with the singer. In the 1990s, DJ Quik got to live everyone’s dream, but it didn’t go how he thought it might. While working on a single, Quik was renting out a studio that Michael Jackson frequented. One day, Jackson’s team gave everyone in the studio an odd set of instructions. Everyone was to turn away and face the wall so Michael would not be seen.

DJ Quik Talks Michael Jackson

The first encounter occurred in 1991 while DJ Quik was recording his single “Tonite.” His crew was taking a break when Jackson’s team came through to request that people turn their attention elsewhere. “They didn’t ask us to leave,” Quik states in the podcast. “They just asked us to turn around, and face the wall.” He reiterates how bizarre the whole ordeal was. “It was weird as s***, you know, like police s***.” Of course, while turned around, Quik couldn’t help himself from sneaking a peak at the legendary musician.

But the next time Quik saw Michael, the experience was a lot more chill. Michael had booked Quik’s studio this time, and perhaps the pop star felt more at ease in someone else’s environment. “There was another one where he booked our studio,” the rapper goes on to explain. “I think he was more cool then.” Although at this time, Jackson still did not speak to DJ Quik directly. The experience left Quik thinking that the musician simply did not want to associate with him. To hear more stories regarding celebrity encounters with Michael Jackson, stay tuned.

DJ Quik Reveals He Almost Fought Tupac Shakur

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Westcoast veteran DJ Quik recently revealed that he almost fought with hip-hop legend Tupac over a misunderstanding. “Outside the studio, he was a jokester – bagging on ns — joking, fun — we toured a little bit. He got in my ass one time too — we were about to get into a fight because he thought I was stealing his stage show — like when he would rap and jump up on the speakers. I had to tell him ‘bro I got that off of Bobby Brown my n — off of the ‘My Prerogative’ shit.”

The DJ then shared the way they resolved the conflict. “Come here, Quik. Let me holler at you — How am I stealing the show — this n**** hot; he ready to fight. So, instead of us fighting, we went into the weight room and just started lifting weights and shit. You know what I’m saying? Just go in there like ‘knock it out, dog.’”

Quik said “‘Ay, you know ni*as up here playin’ that new Tupac sht y’all in there workin’ on?’ He’s like, ‘What!?’ What!?. So I get a call, ‘Hey man, come up to the office.’ I already know with them Death Row meetings, when they call you randomly at 4:20 to fight traffic and get up here, ‘Aw, this finna’ be some bullsh*t.’”

The west coast producer then talked about getting into a life-threatening altercation after he asked the security guard who received the aforementioned CD from him. “So I fight the dude, and he dropped his Hennessy, and I think he was more mad that he dropped his Hennessy than me actually swinging on him or whatever. So he told his homeboy, ‘Man, blast this mothaf*cka!’ My man just pulled out a Tec and cocked it. I just [stopped and became] cold over this dumb-ass Tupac tape. So my man didn’t shoot me. My security got the gun from him and was like, ‘Y’all just go ahead up.”

Watch the video below.

The post DJ Quik Reveals He Almost Fought Tupac Shakur appeared first on The Source.

DJ Quik Recounts Almost Fighting Tupac

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DJ Quik recently revealed that he almost fought with hip-hop legend Tupac over a misunderstanding. “Outside the studio, he was a jokester – bagging on n****s — joking, fun — we toured a little bit. He got in my ass one time too — we were about to get into a fight because he thought I was stealing his stage show — like when he would rap and jump up on the speakers. I had to tell him ‘bro I got that off of Bobby Brown my n**** — off of the ‘My Prerogative’ shit.”

The DJ then shared the way they resolved the conflict. “Come here, Quik. Let me holler at you — How am I stealing the show — this n**** hot; he ready to fight. So, instead of us fighting, we went into the weight room and just started lifting weights and shit. You know what I’m saying? Just go in there like ‘knock it out, dog.’” 

The Time DJ Quik Almost Died

This isn’t the first time DJ Quik has gotten into trouble thanks to the “All Eyez On Me” artist. The star recently recounted how he could have lost his life in an altercation over Tupac’s bootleg music in a Uproxx Video interview. He states that he gave a security guard a copy of a copy of a CD that the late rhymer was working on.

Quick said “‘Ay, you know ni**as up here playin’ that new Tupac sh*t y’all in there workin’ on?’ He’s like, ‘What!?’ What!?. So I get a call, ‘Hey man, come up to the office.’ I already know with them Death Row meetings, when they call you randomly at 4:20 to fight traffic and get up here, ‘Aw, this finna’ be some bullsh*t.’” 

The 53-year-old then speaks about getting into a life-threatening altercation after he asked the security guard who received the aforementioned CD from him. “So I fight the dude, and he dropped his Hennessy, and I think he was more mad that he dropped his Hennessy than me actually swinging on him or whatever. So he told his homeboy, ‘Man, blast this mothaf*cka!’ My man just pulled out a Tec and cocked it. I just [stopped and became] cold over this dumb-ass Tupac tape. So my man didn’t shoot me. My security got the gun from him and was like, ‘Y’all just go ahead up.” What’s your favorite DJ Quik song? Let us know in the comments.

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DJ Quik Says Death Row Artists Had To Be Hood: “It Became The Streets”

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As some who boasts being a former Death Row artist, DJ Quik knows the ins and outs of the infamous record label. During its heyday, Death Row was the collective to beat; several of its artists were floating at the top of the charts, and the demand was unending. It was easy to flip through radio stations and find songs by Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger, and more. However, with the success came stories of Suge Knight’s intimating ways. Quik remembered those Golden Era days on the All the Smoke podcast.

Expectedly, being a member of one of the hottest labels in Hip Hop came with its perks, but everything that glitters isn’t always gold. Quik had a front-seat look at Death Row’s downfall and blamed the ‘keep it real’ mentality. “Sometimes it was cool, and then it just became the streets,” he said. “All the stuff that I got away from, all the gang-banging and all that, just met me right there head-on at the office.”

DJ Quik Wanted To Do Business, Not “Hood Sh*t”

Suge Knight during 2005 MTV VMA – Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music Party in Association with Hennessy Paradis – Arrivals at Skybar at The Shoreclub in Miami Beach, Florida, United States. (Photo by Lawrence Lucier/FilmMagic)

For decades, people who knew Suge Knight during that time have shared frightening stories of their encounters. There are tales about him taking to music executives’ offices with threats and hanging artists over balconies. Knight’s presence would shake the room, and it didn’t benefit his artists. “It was hood sh*t,” Quik added. “You had to kind of be hood to deal with it because they were in there. Them n*ggas was detecting fear.”

“They just wanted to see if you were scared, make you feel some kind of way,” the rapper said. “It’s like, that energy doesn’t go with making the right songs. Songwriting is a beautiful process. You know what I mean? And it’s a lot of thought involved. You got guys in here gang-banging and sh*t and threatening you. Saying crazy sh*t.”

Things Could Have Been Different

Quik further noted that Death Row fostered a dangerous environment, but it didn’t have to be that way. “It was the greatest record company, at one point, in the world,” he said. “It was going to be the biggest thing in the game.”

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DJ Quik Recalls Studio Session With Jay-Z & Beyoncé: “An Out-Of-Body Experience”

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Jay-Z and Beyoncé are formidable artists individually, but as a couple, the powerhouse hitmakers are untouchable. They’ve collaborated with hundreds of artists from all facets of the industry and even more openly desire to work with them in the future. DJ Quik is a Hip Hop legend in his own right, but he, too, couldn’t help but be a tad star-struck when he was in the studio with Jay and Bey.

The California icon shared his story while visiting the All the Smoke podcast. It was 20 years ago when Quik collaborated with Jay for his The Black Album project. He called it an “amazing, out-of-body experience” to be in close quarters with the couple. “It’s like, ‘Wow.’ You really made it when you’re in the studio, Beyoncé’s offering you motherf*cking water, fruit, and sh*t. And just chilling.”

DJ Quik Details Studio Session

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 25: (EDITORS NOTE: Retransmission with alternate crop.) (L-R) Jay-Z and Beyoncé attend the Pre-GRAMMY Gala and GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Sean “Diddy” Combs on January 25, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

“That session was just like you could imagine it’d be,” Quik continued. “Jay is quiet. He ain’t the kinda dude to walk around the studio writing and thinking or something. He sit there and just let the music get in and whatnot.” Young Guru was “at the controls,” he added, while “I’m on the beat, [Beyoncé] is over there chilling. Cool as shit, so humble, sweetheart, right?”

“Jay will just be sitting there humming, making these little sounds and sh*t. And he’d just cock his hat to the side, and it’s like, ‘Alright, Guru, I’m ready.’ When he cock his hat, he go in there and just start nailing that sh*t. I ain’t see this motherf*cka write not one lyric.”

Jay & Bey’s Next Era

Hov and Bey have been busy, if not with their crafts, then in business. Fans are preparing for what is slated to be the most significant world tour in the last few years as Beyoncé is preparing to embark on her Renaissance travels. She recently became the artist with the most Grammy wins, and Jay-Z was at the ceremony to watch his wife accept her honor. Meanwhile, ever so often, Hov creeps on a track with a surprise verse that sets the internet on fire. His diversified portfolio keeps his schedule stacked; from sports to politics to spirits to management, the Knowles-Carters stay at the top.