The crazy, misguided, and exciting world of Hip-Hop: Preemo Legend: The Best DJ Premier Produced Albums Of All -Time

When we think about impactful, influential, and inspirational producers in hip-hop, one name that frequently comes up among many fans, critics, and insiders is the one and only DJ Premier. The Brooklyn resident, by way of 5th Ward, Houston, TX, is among quite a number of people's Mount Rushmore of producers, not to mention DJs. Taught how to produce by another highly respected and revered producer, Large Professor, Preemo has been responsible for several of the most momentous songs and albums of all-time. His work on all-timers like Illmatic, Ready To Die, Funky Technician, Return of The Boom Bap, Reasonable Doubt, and Firing Squad was studied and considered masterful. His signature style of scratching in several songs to comprise the hook for the song, along with his usual sound of bumping boom-bap with jazz samples, piano keys, horns, or clever chops is almost always recognizable and usually regarded as the best work on the album the track(s) is on. As time has gone on, we've seen him spread his wings beyond hip-hop. He has done work with the likes of pop star Christina Aguilera, bassist Brady Watt, and alternative R&B star, Torii Wolf, among others. Of course, his work with Limp Bizkit on the track "N 2Gether Now" with Method Man took him to another audience and earned him even more of a following. Along with the late, great Guru, he was half of Gangstarr, one of the single greatest MC/Producer duos to ever exist, and their discography is as impressive as one could ask for. Once Guru unfortunately passed in 2010, premier kept the name of Gangstarr relevant and constantly remembered. Outside of Gangstarr, he worked with affiliates and associated such as Jeru The Damaja, Big Shug, Teflon, and Group Home and delivered monster projects with them. With all this being said, we will highlight the best DJ Premier-produced albums ever. This list does not include albums that he did some to half the production work. This list is a list that includes album that he had sole production duties on (or at least 98% of it). Here are the best examples of his innovative production and deejaying brilliance. Let's go, shall we?

18. Gangstarr

No More Mr. Nice Guy

Guests: N/A

We begin with the first Gangstarr album, No More Mr. Nice Guy. A cat originally from Texas named DJ Premier and a young emcee originally from Boston named Guru came together in NY to become Gangstarr, and Preemo's jazzy sounds and fabulous scratching complimented the monotonous yet commanding delivery of Guru in what became a great debut album of '89. In a year that saw such seminal albums such as 3 Feet High & Rising, Grip It! On That Other Level, Unfinished Business, No One Can Do It Better, and Road To the Riches, No More Mr. Nice Guy showed promise with cuts such "Positivity", "2 Steps Ahead", the Sizzling Preemo scratchfest, "DJ Premier In Deep Concentration", and of course their single, "Manifest". Once they made it to '91's Step In the Arena, they got better feel of their sound and what they could offer, but No More Mr. Nice Guy was a dope enough appetizer for what was to come.

17. Various Artists

Hip-Hop 50 Vol. 1 EP

Guests: Nas, Remy Ma, Rapsody, Joey Bada$$, Run The Jewels, Lil Wayne, Slick Rick

What was once considered a "passing fad" became the most influential culture in the world within a fifty-year span. What started from a party at 1520 Sedgewick Ave thrown by local Bronx DJ Kool Herc on 8/11/73 became the needle mover of arts and entertainment throughout the modern world much like Rock N' Roll was throughout the thirties going forward into the nineties. As a salute to the impact of hip-hop culture in its fiftieth anniversary, DJ Premier was producer for the first of several Hip-Hop 50 projects coming out on Mass Appeal Records. For Vol. 1 of this series, he enlisted the likes of Joey Bada$$ on the track "Lettin' Off Steam", which revisited their chemistry on Bada$$' B4.Da.$$ in which they collaborated on the crazy cut, "Unorthodox". He brings old school flair throughout the rest of this EP with cuts with Nas ("Beat Breaks"), Run the Jewels ("Terrible 2s"), and well-crafted collabs between Rapsody and Remy Ma ("Remy Rap") and Slick Rick & Lil' Wayne ("Root of It All"). With Preemo giving the project a glimpse of rap's origins in terms of sounds and aura, Hip-Hop 50 Vol. 1 sounded great, but Premier made it feel even better.

16. DJ Premier & Bumpy Knuckles

StOoDiOtYmE EP

Guests: N/A

One of the more magical connections Premier has is with long-standing Gangstarr Foundation member, Bumpy Knuckles. Whenever one hears the two of them together, it's an immediate hit. No questions asked. Just before the two of them dropped their blistering Kolexxxion project, they dropped StOoDiOtYmE EP. These were five of the hardest hitting tracks one could think of. Unlike Kolexxxion, however, none of these were reported to be rejected beats presented to other emcees. From the opening title track alone, the artist also known as Freddie Foxxx obliterates the track as only he can and keeps the momentum going with the no holds barred cut, "Fake", which resembles lyrically several cuts from Knuckles' rugged as hell, Industry Shakedown album. With "That Preemo Shit", "TaKeItToThEtOp", and "Inspired By Fire", Knuckles rips the tracks apart with such ferocity, you can tell Preemo handed Knucks these tracks to make mincemeat out of, as these beats were custom made for the likes of Bumpy's delivery. Bumpy and Premier are a hand-in-glove combo and, if you think this project was fire, wait until we get to Kolexxxion.

15. Gangstarr

The Ownerz

Guests: Jadakiss, Snoop Dogg, Krumbsnatcha, Fat Joe, M.O.P., NYGz, Smiley the Ghetto Child, others

The final Gangstarr album (at least with Guru still being alive) was '03's The Ownerz. Although regarded as their version of A Tribe Called Quest's The Love Movement of sorts, this was an overall well-structured album. As evidenced from the first single, "Skillz", one could tell we were for another Gangstarr smash, but once we got our ears open to the Jadakiss-featured "Rite Where U Stand", heads were certainly anticipating The Ownerz to be another example of why they're arguably the most consistent and excellent MC/Producer duo around. From the onset, the Krumbsnatcha-assisted, "Put Up or Shut Up", the album started off with a knocker. Perhaps more minimal than your regular Preemo production, this was still one that had Krumb and Guru excellently catching wreck over this production. This was compared to the aforementioned Love Movement for a reason: there was an oomph that was missing here. Cuts like "Deadly Habits", "Peace of Mine", and "Nice Girl Gone Bad" sounded like it was missing a certain excitement or inspiration within the production, while there was also something off with Guru's delivery as well. Although dope, true Gangstarr heads knew there was more of a bark than a bite with these. Fret not, the rest sounded like the Gangstarr we knew and loved. The bumpin' cuts of "Zonin'", "Riotakt", "Same Teams, No Games", and "especially the riot-inducing collab with M.O.P. and Fat Joe, "Who Got Gunz" were sounding like these were cuts that should've been on Moment Of Truth or Hard To Earn. Likewise, on "Capture (The Militia 3)", which is easily as hard-hitting as the classic on Moment Of Truth. Although we truly got their last album in posthumous form with One of The Best Yet over a decade later, this was the last album with Guru still alive to smell his roses, and The Ownerz was a hell of a swan song for its time to remind us all Gangstarr was as pure hip-hop as you'll ever have in the game.

14. DJ Premier

Year Round Presents...Get Used To Us

Guests: MC Eiht, Lady Of Rage, Blaq Poet, Bumpy Knuckles, NYGz, Saigon, Teflon, Styles P, Royce Da 5'9", Joell Ortiz, KRS-One, Grand Puba, Papoose, others

Preemo had his own label in the mid to late thousands in the form of Year-Round Records. To kick off the Year-Round campaign, he dropped a compilation album comprised of his own signed artists, but also some friends and colleagues to help him out with this project. We all know Premier has an excellent eye for talent, and emcees such as southern representative, Khaleel, Cali native, Young Maylay, and NY native, Nick Javas showed their lyrical stripes on this album. Veteran acts that were signed to Year-Round include Queensbridge legend, Blaq poet, and longtime Compton star, MC Eiht, and they appear on crazy cuts "Bang Dis" and the remix to Poet's "Ain't Nuthin' Changed". Queens native, Dynasty, shows up in impressive form on "Epic Dynasty", while powerhouse duo, NYGz command the tracks "Policy" and the all-star remix to "Ya Dayz R #", featuring Lady Of Rage, Bumpy Knuckles, and PRhyme teammate, Royce Da 5'9". The trio of Saigon, Teflon, and Papoose verbally handle the mic on the track, "Lifetime Membership", while legends KRS-One and Grand Puba show why they're so revered on "5%". Premier assembled a great cast of emcees for the Year-Round compilation, Get Used to Us. Not one Preemo track misses and with the talent on display, this was an album that was worthy of rotation again and again and again.

13. Wais P

Premo Pimpin' EP

Guests: N/A

Brooklyn resident (by way of The Virgin Islands) and half of former Roc-A-Fella affiliates, Da Ranjahz, Wais P, collaborated with Premier for their joint EP, Premo Pimpin', in which this self-affirmed "pimp" delivered plenty of heat on this mixtape. First getting together on Wais' single, "You See It" from his It's In the Game mixtape of 2011, they did this entire mixtape, primarily consisting of Wais P's infatuation with being a pimp and believing he his own version of a New York version of Too $hort. On cuts like "Came Back to Collect", "Money in the Yard", and "When the Cops Come", he spits game, smashes hos, and repeats. He gets even more explicit on the hard sounding "Lessons" and talks plenty of flashy shit on the awkward titled, "Multiple Sclerosis". It's no doubt Wais P is a spitter, and certainly goes for his on this Premo Pimpin' mixtape, and over some of Preemo's meanest production, if not for anything else, one can appreciate Wais' ability to blend $hort Dog's multi-female attracting game with Akinyele's sexual exploits, and it makes for quite the listen.

12. Jeru The Damaja

Wrath Of The Math

Guests: Afu-Ra

How in God's name do you follow up an all-timer like The Sun Rises in The East from '94? Well, Jeru attempted to do just that with his sophomore effort, Wrath of The Math. While Wrath of The Math may be missing instant unforgettable moments such as "Come Clean", "D. Original", and "Can't Stop the Prophet", it still has several tremendous moments of its own. With Preem once again handling his business behind the boards in very engaging fashion, Jeru glides like the talented wordsmith that he is on cuts like the standout "Whatever", the less-abrasive sequel to "Da Bitchez" from Sun Rises, "Me or The Papes", and the police brutality ode, "Invasion". While on his debut, he came off as hungry and ready to assault the game with his sensai-esque delivery and straight forward rhymes, he presents himself as disillusioned and jaded with the game and how commercialism had taken over the business. This was obvious in such cuts as the Puffy/Bad Boy call out, "One Day", "The Frustrated Nigga" and "Ya Playin' Yaself". He also throws a jab at The Fugees on "Black Cowboys", where "A female is one of their strongest men" and to "not seek refuge, make it happen." Not one to mince words or intent, Jeru came through with Wrath of The Math in effective fashion. No, it isn't Sun Rises Pt. 2, but for what it is, it's still a damn strong follow-up to a seminal effort.

11. Gangstarr

Daily Operation

Guests: Lil Dap, Jeru The Damaja

By the time we hit '92, Gangstarr is becoming a force to be reckoned with in the game. From their promising debut, No More Mr. Nice Guy, to their tremendous follow-up, Step In the Arena, in '91. Now, in '92, they returned with Daily Operation, an album that officially established Gangstarr as one of the best duos in hip-hop. Led off by the singles "Take It Personal" and the jazzy playa ode, "Ex Girl to The Next Girl", they slowly started to dip away from their brand of jazzy street hop that we heard on their prior two albums and started to go full into their boom bap approach. This was evident on cuts like "B.Y.S.", "I'm The Man" (which features affiliates Jeru The Damaja and Lil' Dap of Group Home in their debut appearances over separate tracks for each emcee), and "The Illest Brother". With "The Place Where We Dwell", Guru eloquently paints a picture of the streets of Brooklyn in all its glory, as well as infamy, while on the sinister "Conspiracy", Guru examines the plight of society and within hip-hop during those times over one of the best Preemo tracks on the album, and that's saying something. They don't abandon their jazz influence with "No Shame In My Game", but come back with the minimalist, yet neck bumping and funky, ode to the herbal essence, "Take Two & Pass". With other hitters like the adrenaline-sounding "Soliloquy of Chaos", "2 Deep", and "Much 2 Much", Gangstarr crafted their official stamp in hip-hop as one of the best out there. Guru and Premier brought more fans along with them on Daily Operation, while never abandoning what got them to the dance, and that's raw rhymes from Guru and the fantastic production from Preemo. If they hadn't arrived before, they damn sure did with this one.

10. DJ Premier & Bumpy Knuckles

Kolexxxion

Guests: Nas

It's baffling to even imagine an artist would turn down a DJ premier beat. Who in their RIGHT mind would turn down a Preemo beat? Who does that? Well, those losses turned into Bumpy Knuckles' gain, as Preemo presented these beats to him and we have the album, Kolexxxion. The majority of this album is comprised of Premier production originally meant for other emcees such as Busta Rhymes, Immortal Technique, Jay-Z, Kanye, and Fat Joe, but were either rejected or just simply wasn't able to make their respective albums on time. In any event, Bumpy more or less says thanks by ASSAULTING those tracks with his in-your-face delivery and no-frills lyricism. Examples of this include the Flavor Flav-featured, "Shake The Room", "B.A.P. (Bumpy and Premier)", "We Are At War", and "F.Y.P.A.U.", in which Bumpy set those tracks on fire. Known for being that cat that calls out industry BS and all the corniness hip-hop tends to flood us with, cuts like "P.A.I.N.E.", "The Life", and "OwNiT" are uncomfortable for those emcees, critics, and fans that think this is a game to ol' Bumpy. The only other feature was the almighty Nas on the remix to "Turn Up The Mics", in which both emcees delightfully show their skills over neck-snapping production. When you mention MC/Producer duos that simply can't lose, Premier and Bumpy is one of those said duos. With Kolexxxion, this was a fantastic example of their chemistry and here's to hoping we get another Preemo/Bumpy banger sooner than later.

9. Gangstarr

One Of The Best Yet

Guests: J. Cole, Royce Da 5'9", M.O.P., Q-Tip, Group Home, Bumpy Knuckles, Big Shug, Ne-Yo, Jeru The Damaja, Nitty Scott MC, Talib Kweli

The hip-hop community mourned the loss of Keith "Guru" Elam in 2010 after being in a coma from a multiple myeloma-related heart attack. One of the illest and most recognizable voices in hip-hop was silenced and the game felt this deeply. Although there was some controversy surrounding the relationship between him and business partner, Solar, and his final days concerning his family nor Premier being allowed to see him as he was starting to leave this earth, fans and colleagues were upholding the legacy of Gangstarr with pride, especially Preemo. After a messy and, at times ugly, court battle over Guru's unreleased music, Guru's estate was able to receive his music, and Solar reached an agreement with Preemo for him to obtain some unreleased music as well. With unreleased Guru verses now able to be available for the public to hear, Premier decided to construct one final Gangstarr album in 2019, appropriately entitled, One Of The Best Yet. Fans were very highly anticipating this effort, as they knew this was a special moment in hip-hop. The last Gangstarr project we got from them was 2003's The Ownerz, which people considered to be arguably their worst album for some very odd reason. With a guest list that included long time Gangstarr/Premier collaborators such as Bumpy Knuckles, Royce Da 5'9", Big Shug, Jeru, M.O.P., and Group Home to more contemporary stars such as J. Cole and Ne-Yo, the album was among the most anticipated albums of the year. Did it live up to the hype? To be brief, for the most part. Hearing posthumous Guru verses were both saddening in the reality that he's not here anymore but refreshing to hear new (to the public) verses from the Gifted Unlimited emcee. Production-wise, Preemo brought some of his best work in a minute for this project, as he should've. Cuts like the Q-Tip-assisted "Hit Man", "Business or Art" with Talib Kweli, and the M.O.P.-guested "Lights Out" sounded so much like prime Gangstarr from the Hard To Earn/Moment Of Truth time period. Feel good moments continue like hearing Jeru and Group Home back over Preemo production after over two decades of not working with each other on "From A Distance" and "What's Real" respectively. Not to mention close affiliates Bumpy and Shug on the unexpected, yet greatly welcomed, "Militia 4". While it's undisputed that "The Militia" is a street classic, the sequels were almost as flammable, and this was no exception. Ne-Yo brought some R&B to the album in the form of "Get Together" (featuring the criminally underrated Nitty Scott MC as well), and J. Cole sounded like Friday Night Lights-Cole on "Family & Loyalty." The album sounded great due to the mixing of the project, as most of the album sounded like Guru was still around. Although there are a few tracks here that sound unfinished in terms of Guru verses, the point is that this album sounded like a legit Gangstarr album worthy of being among its most acclaimed efforts. Much like A Tribe Called Quest when they dropped the gutsy, yet triumphant, We Got It From Here...Thank You For Your Service in 2016, Premier wanted to give fans one final album to remind people of their legacy, even if the vibe was noticeably not the same. As Q-Tip put together the best album he could with the limited verses Phife Dawg left behind for him, Premier did the same here, and both albums turned out awesomely. Guru would be very proud of One Of The Best Yet, as this was a fitting swan song of, not just "one of the best yet", but one of the best MC/producer duos to EVER do it. Keep resting in paradise brother Elam.

8. PRhyme

PRhyme 2

Guests: Roc Marciano, Dave East, 2 Chainz, Rapsody, Big K.R.I.T., Cee-Lo Green, Yelawolf, Brady Watt, others

In a word: the first PRhyme album was STELLAR. A modern classic in superb lyricism mixed with dynamite production with no gimmicks or fluff. Royce and Premier decided to attempt to raise the bar even higher with their sophomore album, PRhyme 2. Longer than their debut, this album also used samples provided by Premier protégé, Antman Wonder, and the results were practically as crazy as before. Aiming to vary up their sound slightly with this album, this has a little more soulful aura yet still keeping its hip-hop edge to the fullest. Royce continues to bring a commanding presence to the mic and does so with exemplary cuts like "1 Of the Hardest", the Roc Marciano-assisted, "Respect My Gun", and the menacing "Streets At Night". He hits hard with pugilist wordplay and bars that just leave you in awe on cuts like the old-school spirit of "Rock It", the sick "My Calling", and the 80s percussions of the Dave East-assisted "Era". Guests also hold their own with one of the D's all-time finest such as Rapsody (the bonkers, yet aggressive, "Loved ones"), Big K.R.I.T. ("Made Man"), former Shady Records artist, Yelawolf ("W.O.W."), and Cee-Lo Green ("Gotta Love It" which also features Premier bassist, Brady Watt). While their debut album may be an all-timer, PRhyme 2 isn't far behind at all. Royce and Preemo are just a match made this side of Gangstarr heaven, and the word is PRhyme 3 is coming in 2024. Will they go three for three? Don't ever bet against them.

7. Gangstarr

Step In the Arena

Guests: N/A

Once making a buzz with their debut album, No More Mr. Nice Guy, Gangstarr returned two years later for their follow-up, Step in The Arena. Still mixing their jazz influence with street-laced production and rhymes, Guru and the mighty Preemo would better develop their sound and their identity within the game with this album. This album was set off by the singles "Just to Get a Rep", "Who's Gonna Take the Weight", and the title track, and the singles received a good amount of love on the streets. The rest of the album was pretty much on point with these cuts, as Premier was the muse to Guru's lyrical broad strokes. Bumpers included "Check The Technique", "Form Of Intellect", and the dumb dope "Take A Rest", in which Guru challenges emcees to step up and stop playing themselves by looking and acting like clowns. Guru is a shit talker. A certified one. His monotone delivery is backed up with point-blank rhymes, daring people to step to him while, on the other hand, dropping occasional gems for people to absorb thanks to his intellect and smarts, both streets and academics. He kicks battle-ready lyricism on the title track, but also brought quality bars on tracks such as "As I Read My S-A", "Precisely the Right Rhymes", and the jewel-dropping ode to those trying to break into the rap business, "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow". On "Execution of A Chump", Guru goes into storyteller mode, as he plays the role of a betrayed friend who takes his own revenge out on the one that he thought he could trust. Also, on "Meaning of The Name", Guru very effectively breaks down why they named themselves Gangstarr, and the inspiration behind it as only an emcee of his caliber could do. Premier and Guru step their game up to another level on Step in the Arena, and this was another example of the great tag team talents these two possessed together. While their debut was a decent introduction, Step in The Arena made more people turn their heads towards them, and rightfully so.

6. Gangstarr

Hard To Earn

Guests: Group Home, Jeru The Damaja, Nice & Smooth, Nas, MC Eiht, DJ Scratch, A.G., Masta Ace, Mister Cee

After the excellent reception and acclaim of their previous outing from '92, Daily Operation, and the overall dope receptions of the two priors, Gangstarr came back in arguably the best year of the nineties ('94) and delivered Hard To Earn, a harder, more cohesive, and more street album than any of their previous albums. Aware of the climate NY rap was in at the time, Premier packed a punch like we hadn't heard from him up to that point. He was utilizing more neck-snapping percussion, melodic piano keys, and effective samples, and this would be the style of production we would hear from him going forward, especially in future albums of '94 that he worked on such as the GOAT album, Illmatic, Ready To Die, and The Sun Rises In The East. The album started buzzing just off their breakout single, "Mass Appeal", and then followed that up with the b-boy spirit of their collab with Nice & smooth, "DWYCK". Once Hard To Earn dropped, the masses would get a Gangstarr album that people would remember. The album slammed the listener with heavy hitters like the next single, "Code Of The Streets", the knocking "Tonz O' Gunz", and the screw-face provoking, "Now You're Mine". Don't let "DWYCK" fool you. this was the only cut on the album that sounded anything close to "fun". On "Suckas Need Bodyguards", Guru tests the nuts of emcees that are so "hard" but need security to escort them everywhere because of their statuses. Meanwhile, the moody collab with affiliate Big Shug, "F.A.L.A." has them being bullies on the track and daring emcees to step to them. On the simply neck-snapping, "Speak Ya Clout", we hear Guru, Lil' Dap, and Jeru The Damaja go ballistic over this crushing Preemo track, and all went for theirs quite effectively. Practically from top to bottom, Hard To Earn certified Gangstarr as one of the dopest duos in the entire game, not to mention consistent. Harder than ever, Gangstarr delivered an album many consider their best work to this very day, and there aren't too many that could argue that point.

5. Blaq Poet

Tha Blaqprint

Guests: NYGz, Lil Fame, N.O.R.E., Nick Javas

Queensbridge veteran, Blaq Poet, is no ham-and-egger in this game. As one half of the duo, PHD, with renowned QB DJ, Hot Day, and one-fourth of the now defunct Bridge group, Screwball, Poet is your definitive no filter, no holds barred, all attitude emcee. Straight forward lyricism with an intimidating and forceful delivery, Blaq Poet ain't to be fucked with, whether on the mic or in person. This was more than evident on his solo cut on Screwball's Y2K: The Album on the BANANAS Preemo cut, "F.A.Y.B.A.N." Once the group broke up due to deaths and arrests, Poet decided to go for his with Premier on the hard-hitting mixtape, Rewind: Deja Screw, which had a number of Preemo tracks on there including cuts like "Bang Dis", the addressing of rap beefs, "A Message From Poet", and the ultra-dope, "Watch Your Back". He signed to Year Round Records soon after and he and Premier dropped, Tha Blaqprint, in '09, and to say this was a hard as hell album is putting it mildly. Very similar to Livin' Proof and both Jeru The Damaja/Premier collaborative efforts, this album was among the best Preemo-powered albums alive. Poet's rock-hard delivery was custom made for Premier's production here. While cuts like "Rap Addiction", the first single, "Ain't Nothin' Changed", "Hood Crazy", and "What's The Deal" are street heavy tracks designed for Poet to bleed over, he also gets deep on cuts like the menacing sounds of "Voices", the three-part episode cut "Sichuwayshunz" and especially the ode to fallen QB soldier and Screwball member, KL, "Never Goodbye". Don't let these lesser hard cuts fool you whatsoever. Poet's Tha Blaqprint is a blistering album from start to finish and another Preemo monster.

4. PRhyme

PRhyme

Guests: Ab-Soul, Common, Schoolboy Q, Dwele, Mac Miller, Slaughterhouse, Killer Mike, Jay Electronica, MF DOOM, Joey Bada$$, Logic, Black Thought, Phonte

There's a certain magic Preemo has with certain people. You know when there's talk of a collaborative effort with emcees like Nas, Blaq poet, Bumpy Knuckles, M.O.P., and Common. One of Detroit's legends, Royce Da 5'9" is definitely another one. Since their INCREDIBLE collab track of '99, "Boom", Royce and Premier have been a magical combo the likes of which we didn't think was possible besides the aforementioned or of course the late, great Guru. They also collaborated on cuts like "Hip-Hop" on Royce's dark, yet simply tremendous, Death Is Certain, "Shake This" on Street Hop, and "Second Place" on his underappreciated Success Is Certain. In 2014, they decided to do an effort together and become PRhyme. They delivered a MONSTER of a project that stands among the hardest, most exemplary albums of the decade. Along with using samples compiled and arranged by producer/composer, Adrien Younge, Preemo delivered some of the best work of his modern career within this album. Not to mention, Royce sounded as confident and as methodical as ever on the mic. The moment you hear the title track, you already have an idea about how the rest of the album was going to be like, and you scared, in a good way. In much the same formula as...ahem...Illmatic, this was a nine-track project that couldn't afford even a single slip-up. There wasn't one. At all. From the Common-assisted, "Wishin'", to joints like the Jay Electronica-featured, "From Me To You" and the insane Slaughterhouse feature, "Microphone Preem", this album was among the biggest Tyson uppercuts hip-hop had seen in years. That's not to even mention the four bonus cuts that feature the likes of Black thought and the late, great MF DOOM. Folks, PRhyme picked up where Gangstarr left off at, and then some. There will never be another Gangstarr. Ever. However, now, we need to be VERY afraid of this new beast called PRhyme, and based off this album, alone, this beast will shred everything apart in its sight.

3. Gangstarr

Moment Of Truth

Guests: Inspectah Deck, Scarface, K-Ci & Jojo, Krumbsnatcha, M.O.P., Big Shug, Bumpy Knuckles, G-Dep, others

When you mention groups that kept dropping albums that got better and better and better with every album, names such as Tribe, De La, EPMD, and Outkast come to mind, especially throughout the nineties. Another act that should be mentioned was Gangstarr. Since their aforementioned debut of '89, No More Mr. Nice Guy, Guru and Premier would drop albums that would be better than the album before and would continue to show how much their sound and lyricism would evolve. Many felt that their '94 offering, Hard To Earn, was their best offering and that this was the bar to meet and exceed. After a four-year absence, Guru and Premier returned with the dumb dope single, "You Know My Steez", and heads were losing it upon the thought of a new Gangstarr album. Once Moment Of Truth arrived, we knew were peeping something special. The first single was just the tip of the iceberg. they followed that up with the K-Ci & Jojo-crooned cut for the ladies, "Royalty". Even this cut, although centered for the ladies, was signature Premier in the fact that this still had a street edge with the snapping percussion and dope keys, along with his signature scratching. We would hear another joint for the ladies with the ultra-jazzy and smooth, "She Knows what She Wants", but folks, that's as far as easy going as this album would go. We would go for the jugular on cuts like the thunderous "The Rep Gets Bigga", "NY Strait Talk", and the piano-laced "Work", in which Guru sounds refreshed and hungry like never before, even in all of his monotone. They continue with cuts like "Make 'Em Pay", which featured a career-defining verse from Gangstarr Foundation-affiliate, Krumbsnatcha, and especially the tough as nails posse cut, "The Militia", with other affiliates Big Shug and Freddie Foxxx (aka Bumpy Knuckles), who simply devoured this cut. They do, however, manage to go more personal with a few cuts on here though. On "JFK 2 LAX", Guru describes in detail the gun possession charge he got arrested for and drops gems for the youth when it comes to owning up to mistakes and being better. Also, on the incredible title track, Guru vividly details his thoughts and feelings about possibly doing time over the aforementioned gun charge in one of the most personal cuts we've heard from them. Meanwhile, on the Inspectah Deck-assisted, "Above The Clouds", they deliver bars concerning spirituality and organized religion that is both intriguing and thought-provoking, while on the slinky, bass-heavy collab with the legendary Scarface, "Betrayal", both emcees spit about times and instances where loyalty was thrown out the window and deception was the rule. Folks, Moment Of Truth was, and remains, the magnum opus of Gangstarr, as it was hailed among the single best albums, not just of '98 (which also saw the likes of Big Pun's debut album, Jay's Hard Knock Life album, Black Star, Outkast's unforgettable Aquemini, Goodie Mob, and Xzibit), but quite possibly ever. There was no better representation of the talent Gangstarr possessed than Moment Of Truth. It just didn't get rawer and more authentic than this.

2. Group Home

Livin' Proof

Guests: Amel Larrieux, Smiley the Ghetto Child

On Gangstarr's excellent, Daily Operation, an emcee named Lil' Dap guested on the track, "I'm Da Man", and it was an impressive performance. Following that up, he and partner in rhyme, Malachi The Nutcracker guested on Gangstarr's "Speak Ya Clout" and Malachi had his own slot on "Words from the Nutcracker" on Hard To Earn, thus setting the stage for these two native New Yorkers to drop their debut. The duo, known as Group Home, dropped Livin' Proof in '95 and, quite frankly, this was as bananas of an album as one could get to this very day. Dap and Malachi were bubbling in the underground with "superstar" already, but once the title track hit, heads knew they had a hit on their hands. With Premier on board with the production, anticipation was high, and boy was it met. While this wasn't the most mind-blowing mic work you'll hear at that time, their flaws were more than made up for it with Preemo's outstanding production. Arguably, this album ranks as great or better than a few Gangstarr albums and that's saying a mouthful. Cuts such as "Up Against the Wall", "Baby Pa", the second radio single, "Suspended In Time", and the blazing, "Tha Realness" are just too crazy to not repeat excessively (even the remix to "Up Against The Wall" is just completely flammable). Rugged, uncompromising, and damn sure raw, Livin' Proof has been deemed an underground classic and rightfully so. What Group Home did here was bring that ghetto street shit and make it sound real and genuine. As for Preemo, absolutely among the finest board work of his entire career here and up until this time, this was one of the single best albums Preemo had done that wasn't a Gangstarr album. However, there was one other...

1. Jeru The Damaja

The Sun Rises in The East

Guests: Afu-Ra

During a time where the west coast was pulling in major numbers thank to the likes of Death Row, Cube, and others in the west, the east was holding its own. With A Tribe Called Quest, Wu-Tang, Black Moon, a certain fellow Brooklynite named Notorious B.I.G., and a young QB upstart named Nas making the NY jungle rumble, there was a certain Brooklynite that had heads buzzing. After his appearance on Gangstarr's "I'm The Man" on Gangstarr's Daily Operation and "Speak Ya Clout" on Hard To Earn, it was time for Jeru The Damaja to shine and good grief did he shine. What we got was the sound of water dripping from pipes and making a melody out of it from the practice of Chinese Water Torture and we got one of the most innovative-sounding bangers of the nineties, "Come Clean". While Premier gave him one of the brilliant production choices of its time, Jeru came to work with lines like: "Fly like a jet, sting like a hornet/knuckleheads get live and set it off you want it." Just from this cut alone, the anticipation had immediately built for his debut album, The Sun Rises In The East, and the anticipation was met and exceeded. Quite simply, this album was a production marvel and with Jeru spitting like a warrior ready for combat in every capacity, this was an instant classic. he followed this single up with the murky keys of "D. Original" and then the simply KNOCKING "You Can't Stop The Prophet", in which he innovatively personifies human flaws such as ignorance and deceit, making it among the most engaging cuts of the time. Aside from these singles, the rest of the album was right on board. Knockers such as the neck-throbbing "Jungle Music", "Brooklyn Took It", and the thumping-as-hell "Mental Stamina" with protégé Afu-Ra shining impressively beside him had Jeru slicing through these cuts with his commanding presence on the mic and his philosophical, yet focused, lyricism. He got some flack on the track, "Da Bitchez", for what was viewed as blatant misogyny and even got response from Pras of The Fugees on "Zealots" from their breathtaking '96 imprint, The Score (of course as was mentioned earlier, he kindly responded back to them on "Black Cowboys" and the intro to "Me or The Papes"). Others like the anti-violence ode, "Ain't The Devil Happy" and the lyrically on point, "My Mind Spray" cap off what is spectacular put together album worthy of the acclaim it received. It's no doubt Jeru The Damaja's The Sun Rises In The East is an east coast monument, and much like Livin' Proof and Tha Blaqprint, Preemo's production hit legendary levels with this epic hip-hop release. While the west coast was indeed riding high on Billboard at the time, New York was still coming correct, and this exceptional debut was one huge reason why.

Needless to say, Chris Martin is THAT producer. He's also THAT DJ. The almighty Premier is an entire lane to and by himself. You can best believe he's arguably your favorite producer's favorite producer. Names such as Pete Rock, RZA, The Alchemist, Havoc, Madlib, Muggs, and Q-Tip have all named him as either their biggest influence or one of them. Much like Marley Marl in eighties hip-hop with the likes of Kane, LL Cool J, and Craig-G, Premier helped define the NY sound throughout the nineties. An innovator of the boom-bap sound, along with Da Beatminerz, he was also an innovator of including jazz in hip-hop and still keep it street, much like Pete Rock and later Madlib. Here's to the amazing talent that is DJ Premier. Even near sixty, Premier is as on fire now as he was in the nineties and two-thousands. Although we may have missed out on projects he was behind such as NYGz' Husta'z Union: Local NYGz and Teflon's Contraband (he would end up dropping 2 Sides of A Story in 2022, which half was done by Premier and the other half by Jazimoto), it didn't stop or slow the impact of his legacy. Later in the year, he has his MUCH-anticipated, LONG overdue project with Nas dropping, as well as his reunion with longtime Gangstarr Foundation member, Big Shug, Undefeated. If there are any doubts about his GOAT status, these albums will put them ALL away. Until next time folks!

Peep some of the best from DJ Premier...

Nas "Memory Lane"

M.O.P. feat. Kool G. Rap "Stick II Ya Gunz"

Royce Da 5'9" "Boom"

Busta Rhymes "True Indeed"

Group Home "Livin' Proof"

Notorious B.I.G. "Unbelievable"

Gangstarr "Who's Gonna Take the Weight"

Jeru the Damaja "Come Clean"

Big Shug "EMF"

Lady Of Rage feat. Madd One "Microphone Pon Cok"

Kool G. Rap "First Nigga"