DJ Premier is arguably one of the most influential figures in hip hop history. Originally from Houston, TX, Premo is best known as a monster producer and one half of the rap duo Gang Starr. He has produced nearly all of Gang Starr’s tracks as well as tracks for countless groups and solo artists since the 1990s. Spending time between Brooklyn and Houston while growing up, Premier had learned to play a variety of instruments and also managed a record store. In 1988, he came into contact with Guru, a Boston native who founded Gang Starr a few years earlier and established a working relationship with Wild Pitch Records. The partnership of Guru and Premier as Gang Starr led to a formative debut albumin 1989 called No More Mr. Nice Guy, with the featured single “Words I Manifest”. In 1991, the group released their sophomore album called Step In The Arena, followed by a third album in 1992 called Daily Operation. DJ Premier’s status as one of the best producers around was solidified after his production on Lord Finesse’ 1990 album Funky Technician. In 1994, Guru and Premier recorded their fourth album, Hard To Earn, spawning the duo’s biggest hit, “Mass Appeal”. In 1995, Premier produced the majority of Livin’ Proof by Group Home. Premier also produced three tracks on KRS-One’s sophomore solo album and two tracks on Hold It Down by Das EFX. In 1996, Premier produced the entirety of Jeru The Damaja’s sophomore album Wrath Of The Math,
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