DJ Premier learns about Classical Music [VIDEO]

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DJ Premier and Jon Stuart [PHOTO]

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DJ Premier talks Nas' "Memory Lane" off "Illmatic"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

DJ Premier has worked with Nas ever since the start of his career. Illmatic is hailed my many as one of hip hop's greatest albums. Three tracks from the album were produced by DJ Premier. Premo has also worked with Elzhi on his Elmatic album.

"Memory Lane" was among the three songs produced by DJ Premier for the album. DJ Premier did not jump at the chance to produce this song. It was Nas who wanted the sample for the track. The sample was one DJ Premier did not want to use.

Nas asked DJ Premier to work his magic over the sample to give him something different. Upon reaching a compromise, DJ Premier produced the track. But, it was not until he heard Nas' lyrics over the track when DJ Premier grew to like it. Before, it had been Premo's least-favorite track off the album.

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Mac Miller - "Face the Facts"

When speaking on his dream Andre 3000 collaboration, Mac Miller said he would not worry if he were to be turned down by Andre. Mac Miller said he has plenty of other legendary hip hop members working with ihm. His latest song, "Face the Facts," proves this, as the track was produced by DJ Premier.

Listen to "Face the Facts" by Mac Miller below:

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Nas takes it back, Remembers working with DJ Premier on "Illmatic"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Regardless of what Nas does, music-wise, in the future, he is a part of hip hop royalty. This is primarily due to his 1994 debut album, Illmatic. In the eyes of many, Illmatic is one of the greatest hip hop albums of-all time. Most critics still say the album is Nas' best release yet.

Nas said the album represents him as a young man, learning his way in the world. At the upcoming Rock The Bells concert, he will be taking fans back to this place. Nas will be performing his entire Illmatic album during the concert. With all the memories coming back, Nas explained how the album came to be.

While speaking with Fuse, Nas talked about how he worked with DJ Premier. Nas said he began working with Premier because they had a lot of the same ideas. He explained how they spent a lot of time together, playing back songs. DJ Premier opened his vault and basically allowed Nas to choose his favorite tracks. Nas explained how DJ Premier would come up with a beat and how he would come up with a rhyme for it.

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Kanye West addresses "Mama's Boyfriend" leak

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Yesterday, a song called "Mama's Boyfriend" by Kanye West was leaked to the internet. The song was said to be produced by DJ Premier and originally intended for West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy album. Several hip hop sites shared the song and even posted articles on it.

Before the song is even a day old, Kanye West has come forward to discuss the song. Aside from the music, West has been all over the news. However, his news has had more to do with his love life and less to do with his recordings. Kanye West made an exception, as he discussed what is going on.

Kanye West announced the song is fake. He said he has had nothing to do with the song. Instead, an imposter recorded the song, sounding like him. Because of this, Kanye West is very disappointed. At this point, he hoped people had stopped doing imitation records, throwing the fans off.

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Kanye West - "Mama's Boyfriend"

Originally, "Mama's Boyfriend" was supposed to be one of the songs on West's last album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. But, as the creative process went on, Kanye West decided to leave the track off.

DJ Premier produced the track and talked about how he had produced a bulk of the original album. However, Kanye West ended up removing all of the Premo tracks from the album.

Making things up to him, Kanye West called on DJ Premier to produce some tracks for Watch the Throne with Jay-Z. But, seven months after his last solo release, Kanye West finally releases "Mama's Boyfriend."

Listen to "Mama's Boyfriend" by Kanye West below:

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DJ Premier and Dynasty - "Epic Dynasty"

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DJ Premier discusses the Rap Game

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

On the outside looking in, the rap game is all fun and games. All people have to do is record a few lyrics and they take over. When entering the game, many rappers love the idea of simply being a rapper. But, when they are not properly paid for their work, issues ensue.

DJ Premier has been in the rap game for some time. While he is not a rapper, he is just as important to the game. Throughout his career, he has worked with several rappers in the game. DJ Premier's list includes the late The Notorious B.I.G. and Jay-Z.

Having been in the game so long gives DJ Premier insight on what artists need to focus on. DJ Premier has advised incoming artists to focus on more than becoming a star. He also advised new artists to know their business before they end up hating the overall game.

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DJ Premier talks Jay-Z vs. Nas feud

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Ten years ago, the biggest subliminal feud in years had finally reached its peak. Jay-Z and Nas were two of the biggest rappers in New York City. Both rappers were fighting for position and looking to take each other out. On "Takeover," their feud was official when Jay-Z called him out.

Upon hearing "Takeover," Nas recorded the "H to the Omo" freestyle that called out the entire Roc-A-Fella crew. This led to Jay-Z adding two more verses to "Takeover." On the song, not only does Jay-Z diss Nas, but he also alludes to sleeping with the mother of his daughter.

When the full version of "Takeover" was released, many crowned Jay-Z the winner of the feud. But, Nas shortly returned with "Ether" and the decision was reversed. Looking back on the feud, many people have crowned Nas as the victor. In the years since the feud, Jay-Z and Nas have become good friends and frequent collaborators, but people still take trips down memory lane.

Recently, DJ Premier looked back at the feud and he said Jay-Z was winning until the release of "Ether." At the time, Jay-Z was the most popular rapper in the game. Because of this, it was very easy for him to bully other artists. Meanwhile, Nas was more like the older rappers in the game, rapping for the sport. But, when he was provoked, he recorded the most scathing hip hop diss record of all-time. Simply based off "Ether" and disregarding the following disses, DJ Premier crowns Nas as the winner of the feud.

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DJ Kool Herc has been Hospitalized and in Need of Financial Help

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Things are not looking too good for one of the men who helped establish hip hop. Ever since the 1970s, DJ Kool Herc has been making hip hop music. However, at the time, hip hop artists were not getting paid by the millions.

In the 1990s, DJ Premier rose to become one of the top DJs in the hip hop industry. One of Premo's main influences was Kool Herc. When he grew older, DJ Premier became friends with him. Recently, he informed fans that things are not looking good.

DJ Kool Herc has been hospitalized and he does not have any health insurance. With no insurance and the bills getting higher and higher, something has to give. DJ Premier has reminded the fans of all Herc has contributed to the hip hop game.

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DJ Premier wants to produce an Eminem record

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

This year, Eminem proved he could take over the game again if he felt like it. All of a sudden, all of the jokes about his former drug addiction are gone. Not too many people ever denied his skill as a rapper, but he has never been on this level of demand, even when he was selling nine million albums.

For years, DJ Premier saved his beats for only a select number of artists. Jay-Z has famously been among the few on that list and Kanye West was soon added to the list. But, as time has moved on, DJ Premier has expanded his reach. He now deals with more rappers of this generation.

With the changes in times, he is more public than he has ever been before. Recently, DJ Premier reached out to Eminem because he wants to do a beat for him. He promises this beat will become the best song Eminem has done in his entire career. With Slim Shady planning to release a new album next year, having a DJ Premier beat would be perfect.

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DJ Premier feels slighted by Kanye West

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

During his time away from the game, Kanye West reached out to DJ Premier. Their conversations led to Premo cooking up some beats of West's upcoming album. At the time, Kanye planned for the album to be named Good Ass Job. But, tired of the college-themed albums, Kanye West decided to move on.

Instead, Kanye West decided to go in an entirely different direction with the album. He named the album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. With this change in title, Kanye West changed the direction of the new music. Because of this, a lot of the beats DJ Premier came up with were lost. Premo said he spent a lot of time on most of those beats.

While he said he is hurt by Kanye West scrapping most of the material, DJ Premier says he cannot be upset at him. After all, Kanye West is one of the most creative people he knows and he knows how the creative process can be. When Kanye began to shape the album, the tracks with DJ Premier did not go with the concept. Despite DJ Premier's music not making it on the solo album from Kanye West, some of his stuff will be used for West's Watch the Throne album with Jay-Z.

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Game fills "The R.E.D. Album" with DJ Premier beats

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Over the past year, Game has had multiple release dates planned for The R.E.D. Album. Game wants this album to be special because it is his first album with Aftermath Entertainment since his debut. For this album, Game has worked with Pharrell and other big names.

Earlier this year, Game grew so fond of Pharrell that he tattooed the Star Trak logo on his head. But, most of the tracks they recorded might not make the album. Dealing with so many changes, Game has suffered multiple pushbacks. Right now there is no set release date for the album.

But, happy to be back with Aftermath, Game has rolled with the punches. He wants to come back and give Dr. Dre another classic album. Game teamed up with DJ Premier for a song called, "Born in the Trap." After recording the song, Game said it was the best song he had ever completed in his career. Due to his chemistry with Premo, Game wants more DJ Premier beats.

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Jay-Z and Kanye West recruit DJ Premier to join "Watch the Throne"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

There has been a lot of buzz surrounding the new collaboration album between Jay-Z and Kanye West, Watch the Throne. For the first time, Jay-Z and Kanye West will be sharing an entire album together. Fans of both rappers are extremely excited about this news.

Kanye West has worked with Jay-Z his entire career, but each time they have collaborated, West has been Jay's artist. But, on their most recent collaboration, "Hate," the rappers were equal. Kanye said he wanted to prove himself to Jay-Z and record with him as an equal.

After planning to do an EP together, the chemistry between the two rappers led to them deciding to do a full album. Because both are considered among the best in the game. Legends from the game have even stopped to take notice of what the rappers have planned. Pete Rock already signed on to be a producer for the album and another legend has also agreed to produce for the album.

DJ Premier confirmed his work on the album and he admitted he had been wanting to work with Jay-Z for nearly two years. He had wanted to do something for Jay-Z on The Blueprint 3, but he did not get his work together in time, so his beats were not used on the album. Premier already feels the pressure of doing work for a Jay-Z album, but he feels twice the pressure dealing with Kanye West too. However, he sees this as positive pressure and he feels what he brings to the table will help the album stand out.

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