By Kim SoMajor
The legendary producer sat down in St. Louis to discuss longevity, Common’s greatness, and why “They Reminisce Over You” remains hip hop’s timeless anthem.
Saturday night at Music at the Intersection (MATI) 2025, a landmark performance unfolded. On the Field Stage, hip hop history came alive as legendary producer Pete Rock and Common shared the spotlight. Backed by St. Louis’ own Keyon Harrold on trumpet, their set was a masterclass in collaboration, blending live instrumentation with classic beats. Pete Rock, a fixture on stage, anchored the night with his signature sound and presence, proving once again why his beats are the soul of the culture.
The event itself reaffirmed why MATI has quickly become one of the country’s most important cultural festivals. It not only honors St. Louis’ own icons from Miles Davis and Chuck Berry to Josephine Baker, but also continues to evolve, blending jazz, hip hop, funk, soul, and international sounds. For Pete Rock, the Bronx legend whose production shaped the golden era, MATI was another powerful reminder that real music remains timeless.
Pete Rock at MATI 2025
The Source | Kim SoMajor: You’ve been in the game for over 40 years. What do you feel is the true key to longevity in music?
Pete Rock: Passion and love. When people see that in you and believe in you, they hear it in the music. The sound, the effort, the soul, that passion carries. That’s why I’m still here.
Your production has shaped entire generations. How do you approach performing at festivals versus working in the studio?
Pete Rock: In the studio, I’m always thinking about my audience. It’s about concepts, ideas, the experience. At festivals, I think, wow, this is going to hit outdoors. I picture people feeling the record in the open air. That shapes how I create and how I perform.
How do you decide which part of your catalog to close with at a festival? Pete Rock: That’s easy; “They Reminisce Over You” (T.R.O.Y.). To me, it’s the hip hop anthem of the culture. It’s relatable for anyone who’s lost someone. That song has inspired people for decades. I’m just lucky I was able to make it.
Fans often tell you how much your music means. What impact stands out most? Pete Rock: People tell me my music changed their lives. That it helped them study, get through college, or heal from loss. That’s what keeps me going, uplifting people. I really feel like God gave me this gift to share. Music is medicine.
You’ve described Common in powerful terms. How would you capture him in one word?
Pete Rock: Dope. Since the ’90s, nothing has changed. He’s 100 percent real. MCs should model themselves after him, because he’s one of the greats.
You’ve been vocal about preserving vinyl culture. Do you feel younger DJs are catching up with that?
Pete Rock: Definitely. This generation is widening their thinking. Versatility matters, you have to show people you can do everything. Vinyl is part of that. It’s about understanding where it all comes from and keeping it alive.
MATI is known for blending jazz, hip hop, and soul. What does that fusion mean to you? Pete Rock: It means a lot. I’m a digger, I find records from St. Louis, Alabama, Georgia, all over. Those artists were making music that we later sampled. James Brown, Aretha Franklin.. They put energy into the world, and we reintroduced it to younger generations. Seeing that fusion live here in St. Louis shows how deep the culture runs.
People call you a legend. How do you carry that responsibility?
Pete Rock: Honestly, it inspires me. Being called a legend makes me want to keep pushing, stay positive, and get the right message out through music. It’s an amazing feeling to know people think of me that way, and I’m grateful to have made music that inspired them.
Who belongs in your personal hall of fame?
Pete Rock: Michael Jordan, Malcolm X, Dr. King, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Teddy Pendergrass. On the music side, Dr. Dre, J Dilla, Madlib, DJ Premier, Hi-Tek. Those are giants I respect and would pay to see anytime.
Who excites you most from today’s generation?
Pete Rock: Earl Sweatshirt, Tyler, the Creator, Kendrick, J. Cole, the usual suspects. I just want to see us all mix it together and make hip hop larger than it’s ever been.
For people who have never been to MATI, what should they take away? Pete Rock: That real hip hop and real music are still alive. It’s important right now that we make music that uplifts, not tears down. That’s what MATI stands for; blending sounds, uplifting people, and showing love for the culture.
Finally, when people look back on your career, what do you want them to remember? Pete Rock: That my music was medicine. That it healed. That it was a blueprint for the next 50 years, even when I’m gone.
Pete Rock makes it clear his work is more than beats, samples, or even classic records. It’s a living archive of hip hop’s soul. In his presence, the weight of legacy is undeniable, yet he carries it with gratitude and quiet humility. When he speaks of “music as medicine” or the eternal power of “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.),” it doesn’t land as a rehearsed line it comes across as a creed, a belief that art can heal, uplift, and transform lives. Pete Rock
stands as a bridge between hip hop’s foundational past and its evolving future, a craftsman who sees culture not as a closed chapter but as a circle that keeps expanding. While others dwell on nostalgia, Pete Rock looks forward to ensuring that the soul, love, and passion of the golden era continue to pulse through every beat he creates.