The Best DJ Premier Beats Ever
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Who is DJ Premier? If you don’t know, you were probably born after the year 2000, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Still, if you love hip hop, the art of production, and music generally, this American producer and DJ, otherwise known as Preemo, was one half of the iconic group Gang Starr, and plays a huge part in hip hop history.
While some producers rely on fundamental, one-size-fits-all beats, a DJ Premier track instantly stands out from the crowd. Production is the backbone of a solid rap song, and Premier helped set the standard high. Full of heavy scratching, raw loops, and impeccable timing, the aggressive nature of a Premier beat brings us back to the hungry hustle that hip hop is based on. He’s a big part of music evolving in the 90s, and entered the 2000s with full force, working with everyone from from Common to Jadakiss. Here are the most impressive beats by DJ Premier.
1. Gang Starr “Family and Loyalty” (feat. J Cole)
We had to start with one of his more recent tracks, just to prove that after decades, Premier hasn’t sold out, and still has that “it” factor that makes his music so addictive. Since Guru’s death, we lost that electric chemistry between MC Guru and DJ Premier, but we were blessed with this posthumous gem, which reminds us of hip hop’s true origins.
2. Big L “The Enemy” (feat Fat Joe)
Premier captures the signature grittiness of NYC rap once again, and despite being raised in Texas, he’s mastered the tough voice of the concrete jungle. “The Enemy” is dirty as can be - it’s a prime example of vintage Preemo, and we might like the unpolished version of him the best.
3. Jay-Z “D’Evils”
Premier has absolutely mastered the art of the piano sample. Want proof? Look no further than this Jay-Z track, which features a sample of Allen Toussaint’s “Go Back Home”, a jazzy juxtaposition that’s woven in to the hard beat flawlessly
4. Capone-N-Noreaga “Invincible”
Agile scratching and a flawless, catchy sample of "Hey Boy Over There” by Jimmie and Vella make “Invincible” a head-nodding banger to beat for many modern day producers. We’re not sure if they’ll ever be as good as this elusive talent.
5. Notorious B.I.G. “Kick in the Door”
If you got lucky enough to produce a Biggie track, that’s proof that you’re creme de la creme as a beat-maker. Apparently, the original Kick in the Door beat couldn’t cut it, so Diddy recruited Premier for a bulletproof makeover. Diddy said he needed a “Tunnel banger”, and this producer definitely delivered.
6. Nas “N.Y. State of Mind”
This 1994 track proves Premier a complete master and innovator of the keys. All it takes is one listen to this song off “Illmatic”. As you listen to that off-key chord that finishes off every bar, you’re transported to dark alleyways and nasty underground cyphers of another era.
7. D’Angelo “Devil’s Pie”
This 1998 classic proves that Premier can easily color outside the lines of hip hop, as he often did with his D’Angelo collaborations. A thumping bass and drums to match make for an explosive (though sultry) rendition that feels timeless, erotic, and perfect for late night listens.
Can’t get enough of these tracks? Check out Spotify’s 50 Best DJ Premier Beats playlist ASAP - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5nfwgkui49M5p99SPxK6Hf?si=1cfd22ef66364574