What's up everybody! I'm back with Part 2 of my list of the Top 50 Non-GangStarr DJ Premier-produced songs of all-time. My last post covered songs #50-41 and today I'll be doing #40-31. Let's get right into it:
40) FREDDIE FOXXX-"P.A.I.N.E."
Album: Konexion (2003)
While Bumpy's 2003 album Konexion may not have been as strong overall as its predecessor, Industry Shakedown album (which I think is a classic by the way), it still spawned two of my favorite Premier produced-songs, the afore-mentioned "Lazy!" and this song, "P.A.I.N.E." As is pretty much standard for Bumpy, this is yet another really hardcore track both lyrically and beat-wise. Premier drops a heavy beat driven by a wicked guitar loop from "Delilah" by Tom Jones and a rolling bass line. I remember listening to this one to get hyped up before tests in college and it's still a workout favorite of mine to this day. Another example of hardcore hip-hop at its finest.
39) M.O.P. featuring FREDDIE FOXXX-"I LUV"
Album: First Family 4 Life (1998)
I'll tell you one thing that I love. I love when two of my favorite hardcore rap acts, M.O.P. and Freddie Foxxx get together to drop tracks like this one, 1998's "I Luv." Bill, Fame & Foxxx spit rhymes about things that they love, which as you might expect includes things like guns, plotting on enemies, fighting with and without guns, and of course beats that are "hardcore, dirty & raw" just like this one. Premier's track is a sparse one backed by gorgeous strings and slamming drums. One of my favorites because the beat by itself is less menacing than a lot of the beats Primo has done for M.O.P. or Bumpy Knuckles but they still manage to make it into another hardcore, hype track.
38) O.C. featuring FREDDIE FOXXX-"M.U.G."
Album: Jewelz (1997)
Yet another track on this list to feature Freddie Foxxx, this one comes from D.I.T.C. member O.C, who enlisted Premier for production on four tracks on his 1997 album Jewelz. “M.U.G.” (which stands for Money Under Ground) is basically an attack on the type of flashy, diamond-studded rappers that were starting to become popular in mainstream hip-hop at the time and Premier provides the perfect backdrop for it with a beat that sounds somewhat sarcastic but is still very dope at the same time. The orchestral chops from Michel Legrand’s “The Saddest Thing Of All” over Primo’s usual slamming drums work perfectly with O.C. and Foxxx’s rhymes, along with a hook that was always one of my favorites as well.
37) LUDACRIS-“MVP”
Album: Theater Of The Mind (2008)
Say what you want about Ludacris but the dude can really rap when he wants to. I’ve always respected him for that despite the fact that he’s done his fair share of wack songs. He also gained a lot of respect from me for his 2008 album Theater Of The Mind, where he chose to depart from his usual sound (for a couple of tracks at least) and work with some respected boom-bap producers such as DJ Premier and 9th Wonder. The Premier-produced track “MVP” showcases Luda’s lyrical talent over a string-driven track with dusty drums and the typical Primo scratch chorus. This one was always a personal favorite of mine because it has an epic sound to it while still maintaining the rawness that’s so typical of Premier’s work.
36) JADAKISS FEATURING THE LOX-“NONE OF YA’LL BETTER”
Album: Kiss Tha Game Goodbye (2001)
One producer-emcee combination that I would like to hear a lot more of is DJ Premier and Jadakiss. Though their work is limited to just three songs at this point, the chemistry is undeniable and this track is certainly an example of that. Featuring his brethren from The Lox, Sheek Louch and Styles P, “None Of Ya’ll Better” is grimy New York hip-hop at its finest. Premier’s beat features haunting strings and piano stabs that are so well chopped-up, the sample is unrecognizable. As the title suggests, it doesn’t get much better than this with top-notch production and top-notch lyricism (at least from Kiss and Styles P). Hopefully Jadakiss will collaborate more with Premier in the future, because the two seem to bring out the best in each other.
35) ROYCE DA 5’9-“HIP-HOP”
Album: Death Is Certain (2004)
Speaking of great producer-emcee combinations, we have the first song on this list to feature DJ Premier working with Detroit emcee Royce Da 5’9, who is one of my favorite emcees. Royce and Primo have done a lot of work together over their careers, including this song, “Hip Hop” from Royce’s critically-acclaimed 2004 album Death Is Certain. Premier’s beat is hypnotizing, laden with chopped strings and bells on top of killer drums giving. Royce’s lyricism on this one is top-notch as usual and the hook is extremely dope as well, one of my favorites. This is just good music right here.
34) AZ-“THE COME UP”
Album: A.W.O.L. (2005)
AZ is one of the most consistent emcees in the hip-hop game in my opinion, as well as one of the most slept-on. His hype was big back in the mid-90’s following his solid guest appearance on “Life’s A Bitch” from Nas’ Illmatic album, but died down a bit after that despite the fact that he has continued to drop quality music. His 2005 album A.W.O.L. is damn close to being a classic in my opinion but was largely overlooked, despite featuring this Premier-produced banger “The Come Up.” I have to admit that when I first heard this song, I wasn’t crazy about it, but it continued to grow and grow on me to the point that it became one of my favorites and gets this spot on my list. Like so many of Primo’s tracks, the beat is smooth but hardcore at the same time, making his scratch of Defari’s “hardcore is beautiful” line a perfect one to cut up in the chorus. This is an emotional track, from Premier’s strings to AZ’s well-woven street tales to the scratch chorus, and the end result is a great song that gives me the chills just about every time I hear it.
33) GROUP HOME-“SUPA STAR”
Album: Livin’ Proof (1995)
After first breaking onto the scene with appearances on the GangStarr albums Daily Operation and Hard To Earn, Lil’ Dap & Malachi the Nutcracker released their debut album as Group Home, Livin’ Proof in 1995. Featuring production by DJ Premier on 11 of 13 tracks, the album was critically acclaimed despite featuring average rhyming at best, mostly for Primo’s beats. This track, “Supa Star” was the lead single from the album. Premier’s beat is ridiculous, from the short intro beat to the crazy bass line and crispy drums and is often referred to as one of his best works. I tend to agree and if this list was made for beats alone, this song would be much higher. However, I also took into account the lyrical quality of the emcees on the tracks as well, and that’s why this one is ranked at #33. Group Home’s lyrics aren’t so bad that they completely fuck up the track, but at the same time Premier has worked with much better emcees to say the least. “Supa Star” is still a classic track though.
32) REKS-“SAY GOODNIGHT”
Album: Grey Hairs (2008)
Though he may not be one of the more well-known artists on this list, Massacusetts-based emcee Reks can stand up to most of them lyrically. Obviously, DJ Premier recognizes his talent, as he has produced on both of Reks’ first two albums and both beats are quality, including “Say Goodnight.” Premier’s spacey sample the keyboards and vocals from Francis Lai’s “Scene D’Armor” bangs to the fullest degree and Reks’ lyrics do not disappoint. You can tell that Reks took the opportunity to rap on a Premier beat seriously both by his lyrics and by his hype delivery, which works perfect on such an equally-hype beat. One of the better tracks that Premier has done within the last five years for sure.
31) M.O.P.-“SALUTE”
Album: Firing Squad (1996)
I’ll spare you the background stories on this one and just tell you that it’s another one on the list from M.O.P. “Salute,” from 1996’s Firing Squad, is one more example of hardcore hip-hop at its finest, plain and simple. Premier’s beat combines strings and bells over hardcore drums and a rolling bass line, setting the perfect backdrop for Fame and Danze to drop their usual hype rhymes. This was always a favorite of mine because of its simplicity. Nothing crazy here, just dope rhymes over a really dope beat. Nuff said.
Hope you enjoyed part two of the list. Part three coming soon. Until next time, peace everybody!
i LOVE this shit i remember those Premier mix CDs u used to make! AZ's The Come Up is one of my favorite songs ever.
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