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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