On this day in Hip-Hop history, legendary producer and sound architect DJ Premier was born in 1966. Over the decades, Premier has cemented himself as one of the most influential producers in the genre, crafting timeless records for some of the greatest artists in Hip-Hop.
His production catalog is nothing short of iconic. He has worked with a long list of legendary MCs, including Big L, Big Daddy Kane, Bun B, Common, D’Angelo, Dr. Dre, The Game, Joey Bada$$, KRS-One, Ludacris, Mos Def, Nas, Snoop Dogg, The Notorious B.I.G, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Immortal Technique, and Busta Rhymes.
As a founding member of Gang Starr, Premier, alongside the late Guru, played a pivotal role in shaping New York’s boom-bap sound. Their music gained national recognition and became the gold standard for hip-hop throughout the 1990s. Despite never receiving major awards, Gang Starr’s influence is undeniable, with six classic studio albums: No More Mr. Nice Guy, Step in the Arena, Daily Operation, Hard to Earn, Moment of Truth, and The Ownerz.
Known for his signature soul-infused samples and hard-hitting drum patterns, DJ Premier has either directly worked with or influenced nearly every respected producer in Hip Hop. His beats have defined an era, and his impact continues to resonate across generations.
In honor of his birthday, we celebrate the legendary DJ Premier and his contributions to Hip-Hop culture—because his influence is heard wherever real Hip-Hop lives.
Gang Starr – Mass Appeal
Notorious B.I.G. – Kick in the Door
Nas – Nas Is Like
Big L – Platinum Plus
KRS- One – MC’s Act Like They Don’t Know
From everyone at The Source Magazine, Happy Born Day DJ Premier. Thank you for all that you’ve done for this culture that we all love.