With RZA Vs. DJ Premier going down tonight (4/11/20) on Instagram Live, I thought it was a good time to go deep into the beats they’ve made over the years. They are two of my favorite producers and were behind some of my favorite hip hop songs and albums of all time. From Premo’s work with Gang Starr and Jeru the Damaja to RZA’s work with the entire Wu Tang Clan, their production credits are lengthy. Below is what I think of each producer along with a playlist that goes back and forth between RZA and Premier songs. Since RZA is first on the billing for the beat battle, I’ll kick things off with him.
RZA
Where do I start with the RZA? RZA is a groundbreaking producer who had a 2 year stretch from 1993 - 1995 that will never be surpassed on the production tip. RZA was the in-house producer for the Wu Tang Clan and all of the solo arts that were part of the Wu. RZA’s beats were like nothing you had ever heard before. His kung-fu samples were so f’n fresh! His grimey production made you want to throw on your Tims with a razor under the tongue and just hit the streets. RZA had the vision for the Wu and laid the groundwork for emcees like Ghost, Rae, Meth, GZA, ODB, and INS to lace his beats with clever wordplay. RZA kept nearly all of his production in house which I respect. I also wonder what could have been if we produced for others in the 90s. This is a question that will forever be pondered. RZA is one of the most innovative icons of the genre we call rap music. RZA is a legend.
DJ Premier
Premo was behind the boards of many of my favorite songs of all time. With Premier, you could always count on some boom bap vibes and some slick scratching. Gang Starr is one of the best rap groups of all time and Preeme produced everything. Premier and Guru were such an amazing duo. Guru’s smooth voice and lyrics worked perfectly with DJ Premier’s production. While I’m a big Gang Starr fan, I’m a bigger fan of Jeru the Damaja’s 2 albums with Premier on the boards. The Sun Rises in the East and Wrath of the Math were so damn grimey! I still listen to those mid90s albums in 2020 and many others do as well. Premo is still active in the rap game with production for Griselda and his scratching on the Run the Jewels track. DJ Premier is hip hop. He has never stopped working since he first came in the game by way of Houston. Props to Premo!