dj premier
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: YouTube / Nervous Records
Hip-Hop has lost yet another MC this month. Broadway of Strickly Roots and of Boogie Down Productions fame has passed away.
As spotted on HipHopDX, one half of the Bronx duo is no longer with us. On Saturday, September 7 DJ Premier broke the bad news via his Instagram Story when he shared a video that featured the MC. Media personality Desus also acknowledged the performer on X, formerly known as Twitter. “rip broadway from strickly roots. bx mc, valley legend” he wrote.
Born Dion Barnes, Strickly Roots gained a buzz with their single “Beg No Friends” featuring Grand Puba and Fat Joe. The song would be played on local radio and the very influential Video Music Box show. Later in 1996, Broadway would go solo and release his single “Must Stay Paid” which was produced by KRS-ONE. Broadway was the son of Reggae singer Sugar Minott. At this time Broadway’s cause of death is unknown.
You can view the video for “Beg No Friends” below.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Nas and DJ Premier have made musical magic together throughout their still-ongoing careers, and the promise of a joint album between the pair is seemingly confirmed as fact. The pair connected for the track “Define My Name,” with Nas hinting at the long-awaited collaborative project with DJ Premier.
Fans of Premier know to expect hard drums, heavy basslines, and expert scratching on the hook from the legendary producer and member of Gang Starr. Nas, who has proven to be in great shape lyrically during his recent run with Hit-Boy, hasn’t lost any of that momentum present across all three King’s Disease projects and the Magic trio.
From “Define My Name”:
The definition of my name probably started where/I rode the E train, fingers covered in ink stains/Writin’ was like an escape, excitedly leave the beat flamed/It was Ra, Kane, Kool G and Kris/Few names like Cool James, ‘Face, Cube and Rick
The bar work is exceptional per usual but some fans felt the track from Premier wasn’t strong enough. However, Nas making mention that “it’s album time” near the end of the track caught the interest of Hip-Hop Xitter. The duo have teased this mythical pairing for years and now all signs are pointing to actually happening.
DJ Premier produced three tracks from Nas’ classic debut album, Illmatic, so it’s fitting they’re putting out this new heat today to celebrate three decades of creative excellence.
Also, Nas announced Friday (April 19) that he will embark upon his Illmatic 30-Year Anniversary Tour across Europe and the United Kingdom this fall. Learn more here.
Check out the reactions below along with “Define My Name.”
—
Photo: Jerritt Clark / Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Christopher Currence / Christopher Currence
One of Hip-Hop’s most iconic duos is about to celebrated in fashion form. Stüssy is launching a Gang Starr inspired collection.
Source: Christopher Currence / Christopher Currence
As spotted on Hype Beast the producer and DJ will be gracing an upcoming series of wearables curated by Stüssy in honor of the culture’s 50th anniversary. This week the brand took to social media to make the reveal. “Stüssy has collaborated with the legendary Brooklyn-bred duo Gangstarr. DJ Premier and Guru together released seven full-length LPs that cleverly combined New York Jazz and hip hop. The collaborative t-shirt features lyrics from “Take It Personal” and from “Daily Operation” which was released in 1992,” said Stussy of their drop.
Based on the teaser shared it seems the forthcoming drop will also include pieces with some iconic photography of the dynamic duo during their early emerging years. The Stüssy X Gangstarr collection will be available worldwide at select chapter stores, select Dover Street Market locations, and stussy.com on Friday, April 7th at 10AM.
Guru aka Keith Elam of Gang Starr [Editor’s Note: It’s Gang Starr, two words.—ab] passed away in 2010. The duo dropped several classic albums including Daily Operation (1992) and Hard to Earn (1994).
Photo: Christopher Currence/Stussy
-
Pages