DJ Premier both shocked and elated Gang Starr fans when he unveiled One Of The Best Yet, the first new Gang Starr project since 2003’s The Ownerz. In addition to utilizing unreleased vocals from the late Guru, Preemo enlisted J. Cole, Q-Tip, Royce Da 5’9, Jeru The Damaga and more to contribute to the album.
But according to a new interview with Take It Personal Radio, there were several other notable MCs who he’d been eyeing for the project but ultimately didn’t make the cut, including Drake, Nas and Yasiin Bey.
“I asked Drake to get on it because I had just done ‘Sandra’s Rose’ for his [Scorpion] album,” he said. “So I was like, ‘You can get on this.’ But he was so deep into getting his touring together, it just wasn’t the right time to just knock it out real fast. I needed it done really, really [quickly], like yesterday at that time.
“Nas was supposed to get on it, but it wasn’t clashing right at the time. Honestly, Nas was like, ‘I’m just not in writing [mode]; I just have no writing in me right now. And if I’ma do it, I gotta kill it, ’cause I gotta sound as good as Guru. I just have no writing feels right now, so I just don’t wanna half-ass it.’ And I respected that.”
https://soundcloud.com/user-997269105/take-it-personal-ep-55-speak-ya-clout-with-dj-premier
When Preemo got to Bey, he insinuated the MC formerly known as Mos Def simply dropped the ball.
“He was supposed to do it,” he said. “I kept stressin’ him and stressin’ him and stressin’ him and stressin’ him and stressin’ him and stressin’ him and stressin’ him, and it never got done. I said, ‘You know what? He owes me.”
The storied producer also tried to get Kendrick Lamar on the project, but Dave Free explained, “He’s locked in, focusing on what he gotta do next.” Premier also said he was going to ask JAY-Z but never actually went through with it.
“I’m not gonna even approach him about it,” he said. “I’m just gonna keep it movin.”
Listen to the full episode above.
That’s the world we live in. Here we have a LIVING hip hop icon asking for a little help and these dudes all on their high chair giving all these excuses. Like they say you find out quick who has your back when you in need. Fake ass cats posing as real dudes.?
Holy shit, you’d think somebody like Preemo would have no trouble getting features… i guess not
Especially when ressurecting and putting out new Gang Starr…
The likes of Kendrick, Nas, Jay, ect, are more concerned about money than making great hiphop music.
Yo preemo, stop giving all these niggas that dont respect the gangstarr legacy opportunities!! My g, you a legend. Not Drake. Not K.dot. If they aint begging to be on a gangstarr track them niggas is LAMEZ. Nas only do features with wack niggas and Yaasin is on this egotrip, so FUCK EM. I would rather have MCs who respect yours and guru’s legacy than see it as some sort of small underground movement!! Gangstarr was always better than any of them niggas!! Ok Guru aint as lyrical as Nas or Mos def, but to deny that due to ego shows exactly how they feel about it. Gangstarr is not washed! And if a nigga feels it is cuz yall not gonna put out wack shit with wack niggas, then FUCK EM. FUCK ALL THESE LEGENDS. THESE NIGGAS DON’T RESPECT THEIR OWN PEERS. GURU WAS A CLASS ACT. ALWAYS SHOWED LOVE TO HIS PEERS. BUT WE ALL KNOW, NIGGAS AINT SHIT. CRABS IN A GODDAMN BARREL
Lost you, writing this like Premo is going to:
1) read this and
2) pay attention to people like you
Mos Def is a lazy clown.
You won’t be saying that when the new Black Star album drops next year…
Ik Drake has connections with Premier but Gang Starr and Drake on the same track is odd just thinking abt it.. Kendrick just had a kid so hes probably not coming back for another half year at the earliest and Nas just sounds lazy. Also wtf happened to Yasiin Bey? If he can make time for fuccin Camp Flog Gnaw then he should have time to lend at least a chorus…
They probably feel its not worth the money. Low key saying “Im too expensive for DJ Premiere”. Nas n premo collabs never happens for some odd reason. Two of the best on the east.
Yall do know Premo good right? Like he’s a producer Producer and produces for pop acts and a variety of other genres of music. It’s just his love is Hiphop. Too expensive has nothing to do with it
If Preemo asks you for a verse, and you don’t hit him – I don’t fk with you. Don’t care who you are. You got the ability to get on the probable last album with a lyrical monster in GURU and one of the top 2 producers ever in PREMIER? Cmon man. It’s just like if Dre asks you to jump on his new Snoop album that he produced from head to toe and didn’t farm out…
this shyt happens all the time. these guys have schedules and other businesses they gotta deal with thats just how it goes. its really just business nothing to take personal.
How do you not hop on a Gangstarr album? A freestyle, old written rap, nothing?
NAS hasn’t been in writing mode sense it was written…lol
I couldn’t have said it better. Plus you just don’t shit on the foundation that helped you build your ceiling. Nas is one of those wishy washy dudes.
Have you ever tried to write anything apart from internet comments? Sometimes nothing comes. It can be hard to force creativity. ‘sense’ it was written…that’s one hell of an exaggeration.
Lol, nobody’s asking for a whole album. Just a few bars. This is what he does for a living. Bullshit excuse. And It’s true, judging from his last BS album he hasn’t been in writing mode. I like Nas though, but he’s wishy washy- not consistent.
Stillmatic and God’s Son are trash? Yall are weirdos on this site
He had 2 classics in a row and then 2 mediocre albums in the 90’s… so dont talk shit. Get your facts right. Nas was on fire 2001-2002 and Life Is Good was great. He’ll comback in the future and proves you stupid doubters wrong once and for all !
I will never understand idiots! Nas is the greatest MC ever fool. He has nothing to prove to a 12 year old.
There has to be something more goin on there with mos….he’s not that type dude..must be dealing wit some shit we don’t Kno about..sux bcuz u know that woulda been straight fire
Aubrey is NOT an emcee………glad he didn’t contribute.
Drake would have ruined the album. Nas the same, dude never worked with Guru while alive, with Premier, yes, multiple times, but not with Guru.
Neither did J Cole, Nitty Scott or Talib Kweli, yet they’re all on the album and drop good verses.
Agree with you on the Drake point though.
Search the internet for “Forbez DVD Gang Starr Broke Up Because DJ Premier Was Smoking Crack And Stealing Money?”
“Search the internet for Forbez DVD”….
You lost all credibility there pal. Believing some trash ass article from a trash ass site shows you’re gullible. The article was probably paid to be put on the site by Solar…
Lol anyone on here saying drake can’t spit doesn’t understand wordplay, lyricism and what’s at the core of hiphop period. If you can’t decipher what wordplay means and break down the bars of say a “Summer Sixteen” or “Tuscan Leather” maybe you shouldn’t be talking so vocally about rap because all the MCs in the game know without a doubt that Drake can spit. They may question “if he writes“ but the bars themselves are high quality. MC-ing isn’t about what‘s in fashion, how much you hate how an MC carries himself and his private jet. Its about wordplay and “moving the crowd“. It’s fine to hate on dude. Obv he has lots of straight pop tunes without any slick wordplay/lyricism and everyone has their own taste. And inevitably folks get stuck on the traditional music they grew up with and can’t grow past it and one day, drake fans will be the old guys complaining about a new style but obv he knows how to rap (or he has amazing ghostwriters). It’s expected that 30 year olds won’t understand what 12 year olds dig – always been the case through history. But anyone on here saying he doesn’t have bars is laughable. You clearly don’t understand hiphop lyrics or dig any deeper with this art. It’s not even debateable.
Are you Drake in disguise? Or his ghostwriter? Questionable just how defensive you’re getting over the dude here…
He doesn’t have bars and anyone who thinks he does doesn’t understand lyricism since Drakes most complex shit is child’s play compared to real lyricism like Black Thought, Skyzoo, Lupe, Elzhi, Pharaohe Monch. FOH with that pop bullshit.
Man GTFOHWTBS!! Drake is pure trash and there is no way he should be on a Gangstarr album. Y’all fuckin? Why u riding Drake’s dick so hard? Get a life fam u sound like a fool.
Aka NAH WE NOT INTERESTED
Gang starr will kill it
He’s not in writing mode? How TF are you an MC and hot have a 16 tucked away? An 8 chorus at the very least, damn. That’s a shitty excuse from Nas. Kenny doesn’t deserve to be on a guru album, Drake on GS is just a wtf, and Mos is on some diva shit like always.
If you can’t spit 16 hot bars on the spot you’re not an MC.
I assume you can?
Even the best get writers blocks every now and then. Nas actually writes his own shit instead of buying verses from ghostwriters, you need some inspiration to write and if you not in the mood you not in the mood period.
You obviously aren’t an artist. And anyone who knows Nas, knows that he always write in studio. Writers block is a real thing.
Yoh, going at Nas because he is not feeling it musically right now is lame bruh. First of all Nas can do what the hell Nas want to do. Who are you? Chill with that bruh!!!
I think the album was just fine the way premier produced it. Including too many artist may have diluted guru’s element in the album.
Yasiin’s that friend that never leaves the house but acts like life’s super busy.
Guru would’ve never worked with people like Drake. Premo has zero integrity or respect. Stop trying to cash in on a mans name who didn’t speak to you for over a decade.
Solar, is that you?
???????
You mean the Solar who was in Gurus life during the Gangstarr years and was still in Gurus life when he died. The Solar who Guru called his best friend nah that’s not me I’m just some dude who isn’t a fucking groupie like you.
Premo wasn’t welcome in Gurus life for over a decade FACT!
Guru never reconciled with Premo FACT!
When you make comments like yours you’re spitting on Gurus grave and legacy. Solar was working with and friends with Guru the entire decade that he wanted fuck all to do with Premo FACT!
I thought Solar only knew Guru since 02? It was mc Solaar who was on the old Jazzmatazz album.
Oh hey look, it’s Solar. Aren’t you about to get sued again?
He worked with Solaar so I guess he would’ve worked with just about anyone.
I can definitely understand why Nas didn’t do it. Not being in a writing mood or mode, this is a big deal for any artist. I’m just grateful that a lot of older artist are still alive and will still have say in hip-hop. The world needs a few more words from Nasir Jones I feel tho.
Drake on a gangstarr cd????????? Lol. I wouldn’t buy it. J.cole was bad enough. Real artists don’t play with lil kids.
All people people mentioned are in their 30s or older, no kids. You’re just being a hater
I’m glad drake said no. I know drake and premo have a solid relationship. But I’m sure premo didn’t take it personal. For some reason niggas act like it’s 2009 or 2012.??? what’s with all this drake diss????? Man past 10 years in game. He is well establish now. If you don’t fuck with his music or his art um thats ok but what’s with all the dissing. The man is one of the few who shows love and respect to the old heads In the game and that’s why the game loves and respect him. I do believe he doesn’t need to be on Gangstarr album. It’s all just a Cap to make money of his name and bring in his fans. I listen ? told on head music but these albums be let downs nothing epic so I want pay for it it’s the same with 2pac I love his music but I’m not buying for it, only new shit. You Gangstarr fans ain’t shit. And really shouldn’t speak on things when y’all was hating on drake on twitter dj premo had to step in like what the fuck is y’all talking about and said y’all obviously fake fans lol and do my know him and drake has a solid relationship for years and work on music and he has produced for drake. Damn shame how y’all go so hard on hating the man when that’s not how people feel. Maybe this trend can stop In 2020 lol. I know dj premo mad as fuck y’all ruin this deal this would have mad a lot of money and sold out shows if the drakes fans/wave jump on this, drake ain’t stupid doing this for dj premo wouldn’t have benefited him at all he just would have gotten more hate. Y’all let dj premo down. I talk to dj premo in an instagram comment he even said he Don’t know why y’all be hating so hard for when it ain’t that deep. He said the same thing this ain’t 2009 drake or 2012 drake this is 2019 drake the drake that’s past ten years im the game. The drake he can easily get a Michael Jackson Sample a Whitney Houston sample a Mariah Carey sample hell drake could probably get a 2pac sample. He definitely one of the biggest artist of our generation. Premo said you a fool if you don’t embrace that.