In this episode of "People's Party With Talib Kweli," Kweli and Jasmin Leigh sit down with iconic DJ, record producer, songwriter and actor: DJ JAZZY JEFF Here's what we got into: • Why Talib considers Jeff his "DJ selector godfather." • Jeff being one of the first well known DJs to fully embrace Serato and why. • The origins of Jeff's Playlist Retreat, bringing artists together to inspire and motivate. • Jeff finally feeling empowered to focus on only the things he loves about his career. • Growing up the youngest of six kids in a house full of music and how that impacted him. • How important Gamble and Huff were to the creation of the Philadelphia sound. • How Jeff's A Touch of Jazz Studios came together and the albums it produced. • Helping Jill Scott get her foot in the door by handing out 150 copies of her demos. • This history behind why the Philly hip hop scene always put the DJs before the emcees. • Jeff being one of the true pioneers of the transformer scratch technique. • How Jeff and Mick Boogie's Summertime mixtape series came to fruition. • The importance of Pearly Lewis, Kenneth Adams and Mark Johnson to Jeff's journey. • How emcee and radio host Lady B helped Jeff make his mark on the DJ scene. • Jeff's friendship with the late great Biz Markie and his unmatched charisma. • Bringing Philly legend Charlie Mack on tour with them. • How instrumental the records released in '88 were to the evolution of hip hop. • Originally being chosen for the starring roles in the film 'House Party'. • Recording 'He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper' in London. • 'Parents Just Don't Understand' being a precursor to 'Fresh Prince of Bel Air'. • Growing up with friends who became gangsters as well as joined the police force. • How Mike Tyson being knocked out by Buster Douglas became a problem for Jeff and Will. • Rapper DaBaby catching heat for saying the same thing that Will said decades ago. • The 'Homebase' album showcasing Will's transition from Fresh Prince to Will Smith. • What Will told Eminem about his future in the business that he took to heart. • Jeff's 2002 release 'The Magnificent' as well as the follow up 'The Return Of The Magnificent'. • 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' remake and how it came together. • Roots producer James Poyser getting on Will and Jeff's 'I Wanna Rock'. • Jeff's two sons Amir and Cory and how they're carving out their own paths in music. • Having a reset of his life and career after falling deathly ill to covid last year. • Working on an album with jazz legend Bob James as well as one with Rakim.
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Best guide to hip hop, soul, reggae concerts & events in San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles & New York City + music, videos, radio and more
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