DJ Premier has worked with some of the greatest artists in Hip Hop, but it turns out his presence in the creative space spans multiple generations.
On Tuesday (June 20), Idea Generation posted an interview with the veteran producer wherein he discussed a fascinating crossover from his younger days. During the chat, Preemo talks about how one of his earliest influences was none other than Travis Scott’s father, Jaques Webster Sr.
“We call him Jack,” the Texas native said about his friend. “Jack’s mom was my English teacher … he has a brother named Travis and he has a sister named Sonora — they’re literally across the street.”
He continued: “As I got older, getting closer to almost junior high, we’d go over to the Websters’ house anyway because they had a VCR—they were the first ones I knew with a VCR—and they would tape Soul Train. And I’d be like, ‘Yo, I can watch Soul Train over and over and over.’”
Aside from bonding over the iconic TV show, the Websters also prompted Premier to pursue music seriously. It was at their home that he first got a taste of what truly moved him within the sonic realm.
“I’d go over there and Jack’s playing the drums, like killin’ it,” he explained. “And Travis was playin’ the bass, which is two of my influences when I make beats to this day, is my drums and my bass.”
He added: “And I was like, ‘Can you show me how to do that?’ Taught me how to play [drumming gestures with his hands], started playing with them, jamming with them. Travis taught me how to play bass, started playing with them.”
This was a turning point in Preemo’s life because he went from being a fan of music to actually making it himself. And the rest is history.
“Next thing you know,” he said. “I’m now taking that seriously. Once I got to that point of learning it and mastering it, that’s when I started to apply that to what I do when it comes to music production, so yeah, it goes that far back.”
that’s dope. interesting tidbit of hip-hop lore.
Here’s some more Hip Hop lore. While playing in a band with Travis Scott’s’ father “Jack” while doing a show on campus in ‘87 Preemo was spinning records and we needed a sound man so I introduced Preem to a Soundcraft B200. I asked Preemo if he could do it and he said. “No, but let me try. Well Preemo did pretty good and the rest is history. My name is Jerome Barber.
THE ISLAND BOYS FATHER WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN MY EARLY MUSICAL EDUCATION!
Congratulations Chris Martin for the excellent interview and recount of your journey to the Hip Hop World. Thanks also for the shout out to Prairie View A&M University. Am very proud of you and your achievement. I remember those days at the MSC and your being the resident DJ for the MSC . . . and the making of the double Turntable by Darryl Kemp.
Best wishes to you for continued success and progress.