Like writers.
From an early age, I’ve always had an affinity for the PRODUCER of a record. From Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis to Quincy Jones. Over the years, I’ve developed biases (Dilla, 9th, ALC, etc.), but I remain open minded. I also know that there are architects to …one genre in particular. D’uh, nigga. Hip-Hop. The first sample-based producer IS Marley Marl. A huge win for hip-hop, but the first artist to smoke is Herbie Hancock. This making it a big win for Jazz.
DJ Premier is the architect of “SPIT TA DIS TO COME UP AS AN MC” type beats. From the beginning, might I add. Every time I feel trash as a rapper, I throw on a choice Preemo joint and go McStupid (peep the song on the blog). Preemo dead tells you whether you’re ready to spit, IN THE BEAT. I love him for that. Outside of whatever alien identity Preem has, I respect and honor him as if he revealed the secrets of the right ball to me.
Still, this post is about how grateful I am for Pete Rock.
My first beat folder was called #Hamiltonstrumentals. I flipped the title #Petestrumentals. I heard Petestrus at HMV in Harlem. Fell in love. PR became the architect of my melancholy soulful groove, as applied to ANY AND EVERY GENRE. This is the early 2000s, and though I had a web presence, I was VERY sheltered. I didn’t have access to as much PR, Deezy, Preemo… and we were poor. I caught what I could, stole what I could, and begged mom for the rest.
I can go on for days on Pete Rock’s influence on me. And we are connected through family. I just don’t want to exploit the man. Many people have.
Since *drKiwi* gave me their subscription to Apple Music, I been raping the catalogue. I’m now caught all the way up on all my favorite producers and artists. ALBUMS, tho. Not just the singles. Long live Alice In Chains!!!!
Long live Pete Rock.
