Days prior to the release of The Elmatic Instrumentals, producer DJ Premier spoke with Fat Beats Records about his production contributions to Nas’ iconic album Ilmatic as well as the reinterpretation of his songs featured on Detroit rapper Elzhi’s Elmatic album.
One of the three Ilmatic songs DJ Premier produced was “Memory Lane” a song which Premier says he was hesitant to produce.
“Nas picked that sample. I didn’want to use it. I thought it was not what made me wanna do Ilmatic. I was already a fan. I had already heard ‘The World Is Yours.’ I was in the session,” DJ Premier explained. “I was watching every scratch on ‘The World Is Yours’…So Nas picked this sample and I was like, ‘Uhh.’ And he’s like ‘Yo, I need something that’s not like all the other stuff I got. I’ll kill that. Just put your rhythm to it.’ So I did it and he went in there and I liked what he did lyrically. The lyrics made me fall in love with it.”
DJ Premier later revealed that it was all about compromise when it came to creating “Memory Lane.”
“But it was my least favorite until he proved me wrong. And he did,” said DJ Premier. “If you could prove me wrong I’m cool cause I love a good fight in any situation you wanna put me in. Physical, mental, whatever…That’s a fight that I compromised once and he showed me that he was right that we did that song and used that sample. And shouts to Reuben Wilson for letting us clear it.”
Later in the interview Premier spoke on Will Sessions newer versions of both “Represent” and “Detroit State Of Mind.”
RELATED: Nas Recalls Working With DJ Premier & Q-Tip On “Illmatic”
Glad Preem liked it. Definitely Elmatic was an ode to Illmatic but the instrumentals were odes to the producers. Sounded amazing. Classic album, Classic mixtape.
It Was Something else Else having to watch this god Listen to and react to the covers of his masterpieces. I’m a blessed man
premier is a faggot
troll.
nah he is definitely a fag
nah you definitely a troll
no, i actually think hes a fag.
@jack
I think maybe that you’re closeted inner feelings and attraction to men makes you feel the need to call straight men a fag, but what you’re really doing is crying out to all of us that you’re really a faggot. Just admit it, you like the cock.
Who gives a shit?
Nobody cares about these washed up producers and rappers.
Premier is garbage, Nas is garbage.
die!!!!!!!!!!!!!
homo
Im sorry, this is HIPHOPdx… you were prolly lookin for popmusic.com
We all know your mad because they wont be talking about, or remaking Lil Waynes Tha Carter IV 15 years from now.
Lmao thats gotta be a troll
Troll harder.
LOLOL @ Thisguy. Sigh.
LLS This Guy too funny
For being such a great producer, Premier has always been pretty short-sighted as far as creativity goes. I can see why rappers have difficulty working with him. He really doesn’t like to do anything unconventional.
@ Sensaye252… Homie are you serious? Rather than just go bad on you, I really need for you to elaborate on what Primo’s short-sightedness has been and for what reasons why rappers have had a difficulty working with him.
Go ahead and give examples to prove a point but please, do some research before you embarrass yourself.
The internet is your friend.
youre right. Preem barely improved his style since de late 90’s unlike most of the legendary producers
alexander got all defensive ahahahhahaha
So where are the examples? LOL! It’s called his style! What is Premo supposed to do since you people have all of these comments! Bet you can’t say anything without implying he should do like someone who’s hot right now!
While I am a die-hard Premo fan and would never say anything to degrade his contributions to the game, I do understand what Sensaye252 was getting at. He never said Premo’s beats were wack, he just said they hasn’t really evolved as a producer.
He does have his own “sound” so when you hear his shit you’re like “Premo probably produced this” and I guess that’s worked for him. But I wouldv’e loved to hear him try some different drums sounds and do something different than JUST “Boom-Bap” over the years…
sorry people , but
Dr Dre > RZA > pete rock > Preemo
u got that right.. he;s the doctor
Sorry but flip that around then you got it right
yeah anonymous is right. u got it in reverse order
fuck that dre is overrated as hell and his latest work is horrible.
Premo > RZA > Pete Rock > Dr. Dre
AYO!
IF NAS NEVER GONNA DO THAT WHOLE ALBUM WITH PREMO
I CAN LIVE WITH A ELZHI ALBUM WITH PREMO
IMAGINE ELZHI WHOLE ALBUM WITH PREME, PETE, Q TIP, L.E.S., LARGE PRO.. O.G. ILLMATIC CLIQUE
AND HE BRING IN HIS SIDE OF THE MAP.. BLACK MILK.. THE LEGENDARY DILLA.. WAHJEED.. AHH THE LIST GOES ON.. AND MADLIB..
ELZHI CAN LITERALLY DROP 10 CLASSICS BY NEXT WEEK.
Lex Luger gets more placements in 2011 than Premier got in the last 10 years – Premier needs to buy some modern equipment, cause he can’t even compete right now.
so go to the lex luger thread where they’re talking about all of his beats. my bad there is no lex luger thread
Haha.. you can always tell when the teenie-bobbers that don’t know shit about hip-hop comment. Nigga, Premo been producing since you were in diapers and he’s STILL getting work from high-profile rappers.
No disrespect to Lex, but let’s see if he is still producing for big name artists 20 years into his career.
Premo got credits on CLASSIC hip-hop songs and albums. BMF and MC Hammer were hot, but far from classic shit. Show some respect for the living legends of this shit…
@ Ken57
Honestly – And I really do mean this from the bottom of my heart, your mom should’ve swallowed you, you fucking piece of shit comparing a “Mr Microwave Pop Tart” producer to a Legend, you faggot. Your statement is not even sensible in the slightest way at all.
premier super nice w it
that born in tha trap cut on RED album is fire
he been rockin w that vintage east coast hiphop sound and he the best at what he do him and pete rock
you hatin on preem youjust hatin on hip hop