Contrary to popular belief, he did not found nor even co-found Gang Starr.
He was introduced to DJing while attending school at Prairie View A&M in Houston, Texas. DJ Premier's original stage name was Waxmaster C, the "C" taken from his first name, Chris, although he had already changed it to DJ Premier at the time he joined Gang Starr.
Considered by many fans to be one of the greatest hip hop producers, DJ Premier has produced countless tracks, for many groups and solo artists since the early 1990s. These include notable tracks for artists such as Jay-Z ("D'Evils", "So Ghetto"), Big L ("The Enemy"), The Notorious B.I.G. ("Unbelievable", "Kick In The Door", "Ten Crack Commandments"), Nas ("N.Y. State of Mind", "Nas Is Like"), Pitch Black ("It's All Real"), M.O.P. ("Downtown Swinga"), Jeru the Damaja ("Come Clean", "My Mind Spray"), KRS-One ("MC's Act Like They Don't Know"), Mos Def ("Mathematics"), Non Phixion ("Rockstars"), and Royce da 5'9" ("Boom").(Full list: djpremiertrackology.8kilo.com)
Collaborations
Outside of Gang Starr, some of Premier's most lauded work is his collaborations with Jeru the Damaja and Group Home. With the former, Premier crafted one of the East Coast's landmark albums in the form of The Sun Rises in the East, released in 1994. Their follow up to this, 1996's Wrath of the Math, was regarded as a solid effort but not on par with its predecessor, although it did contain Jeru's biggest hit to date, "Ya Playin' Yaself". Group Home's Livin' Proof (1995), although greatly overlooked at the time of its release, has eventually come to be critically acclaimed.
In 1994, DJ Premier collaborated extensively with jazz musician Branford Marsalis's experimental group, Buckshot Lefonque, for their debut album. During the making of music video director, Hype Williams' 1998 film, Belly, DJ Premier collaborated with neo soul leader D'Angelo for a song called "Devil's Pie", which was originally intended only for the film's accompanying soundtrack. However D'Angelo soon changed his mind and decided to include the song on his sophomore album Voodoo (2000) In 2006 he co-produced Christina Aguilera's Back To Basics album.
Samples
DJ Premier's style of production epitomises the New York sound from his earlier peers. He is known for sampling jazz, funk, and soul artists, as well as sampling an artist's past work, when he is creating a new track for that same artist. In addition, his photographic memory of rap lyrics allows him to distinctively "speak with his hands" by scratching in lyrics from several different songs to construct new phrases [1]. Premier's non-Gang Starr collaborations are well-known for his often-imitated signature of combining short vocal samples, often from multiple artists, to create a chorus. For example, for the chorus of Mos Def's "Mathematics", Premier cuts, in quick succession:
"The Mighty Mos Def..." (from Mos Def's "Body Rock"),
"It's simple mathematics" (from Fat Joe's "John Blaze"),
"I revolve around science..." (from Ghostface Killah's verse on Raekwon's "Criminology"),
"What are we talking about here..." (unknown origin),
"Do your math.." (from Erykah Badu's "On & On"), and
"One, two, three, four" (from James Brown's "Funky Drummer")
On certain artists' work the vocal samples will all be vocal samples of the artist from the artists' past work; "Nas Is Like" and "2nd Childhood" with Nas are two well-known examples of this.
On Jeru the Damaja's "Physical Stamina," however, Premier sampled and chopped up recordings of seminal electro-acoustic music from the 1960s.
Melodies
Premier usually creates a two-bar melody that repeats itself throughout the song. The aim of this is to showcase the MC's skills by bringing focus away from the beat, while creating the song's mood and a solid backdrop. Premier often changes speeds, filters and chops his breaks and adds scope to the melody with chimes and strings.
He has also shown innovation by playing rarely-used elements into a rap song (such as the xylophones on Biggie's "Kick in the Door" or the ambient nature sounds on Nas' "Nas is Like"), and his wide range of instruments (the piano loop on Jay-Z's "D'Evils" versus the strings on Rakim's "New York (Ya Out There?") and production techniques (he played the melody backwards during the second half of Jay-Z's "A Million and One Questions (Rhyme No More)").
Drums
Premier's drums have been known for complimenting his melodies. For example, during Nas' "NY State of Mind", two bars have a simple round of kicks and snares; in the following two, a complementing second set of drums plays out. This is repeated throughout.
Label ownership and future projects
DJ Premier currently owns two record labels. "Year Round Records" was founded in 2002 and has so far released several DJ Premier mixtapes as well as two 12" vinyl singles for NYG'z and Blaq Poet. "Works Of Mart", which is also the name of his publishing company, was founded in mid 2006 and released 12" vinyl singles for artists Tef (aka Teflon) and F.A.B.I.D. (H. Stax and Mike Rone).
Since 2001, DJ Premier mentioned several times the plan to release a solo album entitled "A Man Of Few Words", which has yet to be released. Other confirmed upcoming projects are a full-length colaboration with Nas, Blaq Poet's long delayed album "The Best That Never Did It", Tef's (aka Teflon) long announced album "Contraband" and last but not least protegés NYG'z long delayed debut album "Pros and Cons".
Remy Rap
DJ Premier Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's rap
Remy Ma
No lie, it's only like five females in the game that can really rap
Got followers and fame and a name so they thinking that
They can now be listed with the spitters, bitch, imagine that
They talking 'bout your lace front when I say your shit is wiggity-wack
And no, I ain't tryna be catty, they know they really lack
You assed out without your ass out, and that's really facts
But if I say it, I'm a hater, I hear the chitter chat
They know that my pen is crazy but they don't wanna give me that
Every time I spit some shit, they saying that it's really Pap'
Claim I can't make a song but actually that's really cap
Had 'em, Conceited, All The Way Up, and Leanin' Back
I know they be popping shit, she only hot when Remy crack
In my presence, they be on my dick like little jimmy hats
Acting like I ain't the reason that these bitches can even rap
I'm also the reason y'all know these bitches can't even rap
Tried to spread a rumor that I'm ugly, bitch, I'm pretty black
Then try to lie and paint an image that I'm really fat
Ho, whenever I want, I can thirst trap
Only thing fat is these pockets and this motherfuckin' kitty-kat
Y'all be on some, "She hit me", so I'ma hit her back
I be on some, "She hit me", so now she gettin' clapped
Birds of a feather flock together, y'all be in a pack
And'll do anything for the cheese, yeah, you been a rat
I rap when I wanna, I stopped to have my daughter
Was flying PJs while y'all was wearing pajamas
And I'm signed to myself so they can't jerk her
Done caught more suits and cases than a TSA worker
Motherfucker
Daughter of a gun (ah), I spit it like a bullet (yeah)
That's literary caution, I should win me a Pulitzer (facts)
I don't show cards, I show face without the hoodie up (fact)
Change my perspective, think like L. Boogie does (uh)
I was never late (no) mh, y'all was just early (for real)
Never fall short unless the shorts come with jersey (ball)
Life never straight, that bitch hella curvy (uh)
I'm my biggest fan, I wear my shit out like Kirby (Moss)
Pi'erre, Pi'erre, yeah I'm bubblin' baby
Never fill pockets, only refill 'em like DaBaby
Wah-wah (wah), y'all cry, I'm on a different tier (yeah)
We ain't the same, me and you, we got some different fears (talk)
Jerry Lorenzo, this G-O-D flow (talk)
Word to the North Star, I rep East Coast (East Coast)
Road to success come with a bridge like E-Foh (E-Foh)
Today they want a pill, but back then it was kilos
Why Preemo hit me? 'Cause he know I'm dopest (he know)
Rap like I got a big dick and niggas chokin'
Never had an urge to be the wave, I'm the fucking ocean (real shit)
If you can't see that, then you just a blind turtle (ha)
Huh, shell shocked when I hit block-block
Niggas know when I rhyme, it sound like a Glock-Glock
Ask me where I'm headed, motherfucker, to the top-top
Can't rain on my parade, ain't no raindrop, drop
Remy, Rap
Remy, Rap
With the def female
Let's rap
Remy, Rap
Remy, Rap
With the def female
Let's rap
In "Remy Rap," Remy Ma and Rapsody discuss the current state of female rap and their place in it. Remy Ma starts the verse by acknowledging that there are only a few female rappers who can actually rap, despite many having followings and fame. She also calls out those who think they can now be listed as skilled rappers just because of their popularity. Remy Ma then challenges her competitors who talk about lace fronts rather than lyrics and warns them that they will not fare well if she is on the track with them. She admits that she is often accused of being a hater when she critiques other rappers’ skills, but she speaks truthfully about their lack of talent. Although others may claim that Remy Ma cannot make a single song, she has proven them wrong with her hits “Leanin' Back” and “All The Way Up.” She also tackles the rumor that she is ugly and fat, saying that she is pretty and that only her pockets are fat.
Rapsody comes in after Remy Ma's verse and speaks about her own successes as a rapper. She compares her rhymes to bullets and feels that she should win a Pulitzer Prize for her work. Rapsody has never thought that she was late in her career, as her rise to success has come at the right time. She also emphasizes her East Coast roots in her lyrics, saying, “Word to the North Star, I rep East Coast.” Rapsody then references the struggles that come with success and the bridges one has to cross, but she has never been afraid of hard work. She claims that she is on her way to the top and that nothing can stop her. The song ends with both rappers saying, “Let's rap,” which calls out other female rappers to come forward and show their skills.
Line by Line Meaning
With the def female
I am here to rap with the best female artist
Let's rap
It's time for us to showcase our skills through rap
No lie, it's only like five females in the game that can really rap
Only a handful of female rappers are actually talented
Got followers and fame and a name so they thinking that
Some female rappers think they're amazing because they have a following
They can now be listed with the spitters, bitch, imagine that
Some female rappers think they are just as good as the top rappers, which is absurd
They talking 'bout your lace front when I say your shit is wiggity-wack
People focus on superficial things rather than the quality of the rapper's music
They know what's gon' happen to they ass if Remy on the track
Female rappers are aware of the fact that they can’t compete with Remy Ma's rap skills
And no, I ain't tryna be catty, they know they really lack
Remy Ma isn’t trying to create drama, but she's just stating the truth that many female rappers are lacking talent
You assed out without your ass out, and that's really facts
Many female rappers will not be successful without relying on their sexuality
But if I say it, I'm a hater, I hear the chitter chat
When Remy speaks her mind, people label her as a hater
They know that my pen is crazy but they don't wanna give me that
Many people recognize Remy's writing abilities, but they are not willing to give credit where it is due
Every time I spit some shit, they saying that it's really Pap'
Some people attribute Remy's success to her husband, Papoose, rather than acknowledging her own skills
Claim I can't make a song but actually that's really cap
Some people think that Remy can only rap, but she can make great songs
Had 'em, Conceited, All The Way Up, and Leanin' Back
Remy Ma has produced several successful songs
I know they be popping shit, she only hot when Remy crack
Some female rappers are only successful when they collaborate with Remy
In my presence, they be on my dick like little jimmy hats
People want to be around Remy and collaborate with her because of her talent
Acting like I ain't the reason that these bitches can even rap
Remy is one of the pioneers of female rap and opened doors for other female rappers to successfully pursue their career
I'm also the reason y'all know these bitches can't even rap
Remy is not only the reason why people are aware of talented female rappers, but also the reason they recognize that some female rappers are not talented
Tried to spread a rumor that I'm ugly, bitch, I'm pretty black
People tried to defame Remy by spreading false rumors about her appearance, but in reality, she is beautiful and confident in her skin
Then try to lie and paint an image that I'm really fat
People also started rumors about Remy's weight to tarnish her image, but in reality, she knows who she is and what she stands for
Ho, whenever I want, I can thirst trap
Remy can showcase herself confidently at any time through social media
Only thing fat is these pockets and this motherfuckin' kitty-kat
Remy is prosperous and successful, and the only thing fat about her is her bank account and her confidence in her sexual abilities
Y'all be on some, "She hit me", so I'ma hit her back
People try to drag Remy down, but she fights back with her talent
I be on some, "She hit me", so now she gettin' clapped
Remy always comes back with a new hit after someone tries to degrade her
Birds of a feather flock together, y'all be in a pack
People with similar attitudes and interests find each other and stay together
And'll do anything for the cheese, yeah, you been a rat
People will do anything for money, even if it means betraying others
I rap when I wanna, I stopped to have my daughter
Remy has control over her schedule and takes breaks when needed
Was flying PJs while y'all was wearing pajamas
Remy has been successful for a long time, while others are only just starting
And I'm signed to myself so they can't jerk her
Remy is independent and has control over her career, and no one can tell her what to do
Done caught more suits and cases than a TSA worker
Remy has faced many lawsuits and controversies throughout her career
Daughter of a gun (ah), I spit it like a bullet (yeah)
Remy is capable of producing high-quality and impactful lyrics
That's literary caution, I should win me a Pulitzer (facts)
Remy's lyrics are so powerful that she deserves a prestigious award like the Pulitzer
I don't show cards, I show face without the hoodie up (fact)
Remy doesn't hide anything and is true to herself
Change my perspective, think like L. Boogie does (uh)
Remy is inspired by Lauryn Hill and wants to adopt her perspective
I was never late (no) mh, y'all was just early (for real)
Remy has always been on time, others are just catching up to her success now
Never fall short unless the shorts come with jersey (ball)
Remy's success is consistent and significant, like a basketball player's short shorts
Life never straight, that bitch hella curvy (uh)
Life is complicated and unpredictable, and Remy is upfront about it
I'm my biggest fan, I wear my shit out like Kirby (Moss)
Remy believes in herself and enjoys her own music
Pi'erre, Pi'erre, yeah I'm bubblin' baby
Remy is on the rise and her success is palpable
Never fill pockets, only refill 'em like DaBaby
Remy doesn’t just focus on making money, but also takes care of her own finances
Wah-wah (wah), y'all cry, I'm on a different tier (yeah)
People try to bring Remy down, but she is on a different level than they are
We ain't the same, me and you, we got some different fears (talk)
Remy acknowledges that everyone has their own set of fears and struggles, and she is not the same as other people
Jerry Lorenzo, this G-O-D flow (talk)
Remy's flow is unparalleled, like designer Jerry Lorenzo
Word to the North Star, I rep East Coast (East Coast)
Remy represents the East Coast, and acknowledges the importance of the North Star in history
Road to success come with a bridge like E-Foh (E-Foh)
Success requires hard work and support from others, like the E-Foh bridge
Today they want a pill, but back then it was kilos
The music industry is always changing, and what was successful in the past might not be anymore
Why Preemo hit me? 'Cause he know I'm dopest (he know)
DJ Premier collaborated with Remy because he recognizes her talent and thinks she's the best
Rap like I got a big dick and niggas chokin'
Remy's rap skills are overwhelming and powerful
Never had an urge to be the wave, I'm the fucking ocean (real shit)
Remy doesn't need to follow trends because she is a trendsetter and has her own identity
If you can't see that, then you just a blind turtle (ha)
If people can't recognize Remy's talent, then they are clueless
Huh, shell shocked when I hit block-block
People are always surprised when they hear Remy's music
Niggas know when I rhyme, it sound like a Glock-Glock
Remy's flow is so powerful, it sounds like gunshots
Ask me where I'm headed, motherfucker, to the top-top
Remy's goal is to always climb to new heights
Can't rain on my parade, ain't no raindrop, drop
No one can bring Remy down or rain on her success
Remy, Rap
This song is about Remy Ma's rap skills
Remy, Rap
This song is about Remy Ma's rap skills
With the def female
Remy Ma is one of the most talented female rappers in the industry
Let's rap
It's time to showcase our rapping abilities
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Chris Martin, Marlanna Evans, Remy Mackie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@KazMoneyMusic
This is the type of presence we need from the ladies in Hip Hop. Much love.
@virtualbabe9171
They don’t wanna hear it tho! This song was a vibe it deserves more views
@skredVII
😎
@oratiletsimatsima9643
Tell the industry to stop putting in plants and let real female rappers in the game.
@Traewing
From people in hip hop.
@iTaLyZfiNeSt08
more like the lyrical presence we need in hiphop other than the corny fucking gimmicks we do have!
@damiancastronyc
What a dope collaboration! Two dope lyrical Queens on the MIc straight spitting! I’m going to, manifest another record from Remy & Rap!
@D33J3nk1
Black queens why not just queens?
@EYECONN
Yessir, everything you just said.
@damiancastronyc
@@D33J3nk1 alright Mr Consciousness. “Two Dope Lyrical Queens”