I have a tendency to give flowers to the most random, yet crucial time(s). DJ Premier came to mind today, seemingly out of nowhere. And even though I have my biases (J Dilla, DJ Jazzy Jeff, etc.), I think highly and fondly of The Talented Mr. Martin.
Growing up in Harlem (at the time), I always heard Gang Starr or Premier-produced records. Likely because I would listen to Future Flavas and Stretch and Bob. So I always took a liking to his sound. But it was the Gang Starr record "Discipline" that made me look at him like a sensei.
From there, he became like a hip-hop barometer. If you couldn't see Premier supporting or being behind it, it wasn't hip-hop. Now, I pride myself on being Rock and Roll. Still, I am rather Acid Jazz and deeply Gospel. Like a Premier beat, all those sauces are blended within and baked to flawless imperfection.
Our styles and STYLINGS are pretty different. But the fundamentals of lacing a tight beat for a dope MC to go for broke on is still present. I probably wouldn't be into hip-hop as much without Primo (Em/Dre excluded; they're like Acid Jazz).
Thank you, DJ Premier.
Inspiration forever.
#therebirth
