The British rapper DJ Premier has always wanted to work with
When you’re as much of an industry legend as DJ Premier, you would, assumedly, have a wealth of talent on offer to work with. From Nas to Biggie Smalls, Jay-Z to KRS-One, Eminem to Drake; hip-hop producer DJ Premier has worked with the biggest names in the rap scene.
Consistently considered one of the greatest producers in hip-hop, DJ Premier first cut his teeth on the scene through forming Gang Starr with Boston-based rapper Guru. Pioneers of jazz rap in hip-hop’s golden age of the mid-nineties, Prem established a signature sound of jazz samples and hard drums, and a deep knowledge of music spanning across the genres that would contribute to his successes later in his career.
He has produced charting singles for the likes of Christina Aguilera, who recruited the producer to produce her album Back to Basics in 2006; he made a cameo as himself in Grand Theft Auto IV; he has founded his own record label, Year Round Records.
So yeah, Prem has done a lot in his career. But in a 2015 interview with magazine Complex, the legendary producer and DJ opened up about the musicians he hasn’t worked with yet – and even gave insight into the ones he’d like to.
“I want to ask you about the UK,” said the interviewer. “Are there any UK artists you’re feeling right now?”
“I’ve always wanted to work with Klashnekoff,” Prem replied. “He’s been around for years! He’s sorta my age but he is DOPE. The flow, the lyrics, it’s just dope music. I’ve always been a big fan of his work, but I’ve never got to work with him. I would work with him in a heartbeat. Other than that, I’ve been working with Four Owls…”
Klashnekoff is a pioneering hip-hop artist from London’s underground scene that emerged in the mid-nineties, around the same time as Prem himself. His 2006 debut album, The Sagas of…, became a bonafide classic when its three singles were used in the film Kidulthood in 2006. His aggressive delivery of his raw and introspective lyrics reflects lived experiences in East London not too dissimilar from his stateside peers.
The interviewer then asked Prem if he had ever been tempted to work with the country’s pioneering grime scene.
“We sat down with Tinie Tempah and were talking about some stuff,” he replied. “We haven’t done anything yet but we had a meal-meeting together and I like him. I like him a lot. He was really up on my music, and he knew all my history. He’s a good kid, man.”
And what about Dizzie Rascal, the interview said, asking if Prem had “checked out any of Dizzee’s recent stuff like the Pagans EP.”
“Nah,” replied Prem. “But I’m gonna look it up tonight!”
The interview had discussed Prem’s career, his musical style, and his famous collaborations, amongst other topics. “I’m into more than just hip-hop: I like soul, I like rock, I like new wave, I like punk music, I like blues, I like jazz, and I was brought up on all of them from a young boy all the way to my teenage years, when I was wild and crazy, in college,” Prem said.
“I went through all those phases but I listened to a lot of bands like Journey, Rush, U2, AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, then you have Genesis, John Coltrane and on and on and on.”
His admiration and appreciation for British musicians is evident. As for a collaboration? Well, having produced a collaborative album with Nas, Light-Years, that was released just this week, and a co-headlining tour with The Alchemist, Prem has clearly been busy. There’s always next year.