Old Skool Review: DJ Jazzy Jeff

Man alive, feels like i haven't done one of these in forever and a day. Well, let's fix that right now.

Sometimes, life simply isn't fair. You're the guy with all the talent, but it's your partner that goes on to make it huge. Such seems to be the fate to have befallen DJ Jazzy Jeff, at least in comparison to his one-time partner, the Fresh Prince, Will Smith. Smith is the first to admit that if it wasn't for Jeff, he never would have had the opportunity to shine on the big stage, but still, what the fuck, man?

Jeffrey Allen Townes has since gone on to become a fairly large producer, but let's be honest, most folks know him as part of the aforementioned super duo that dropped classics like "Parents Just Don't Understand" and "Summertime," as well as Smith's partner in crime on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." If that's all you know, however, you don't know much. Jazzy is considered one of the top turntabilists of all times, largely considered the inventor of the transformer scratch. At least, that's what both Wiki and my own turntable teacher tell me, and who are they to lie? Plus, oldboy won the world DJ championship at the 1986 New Music Seminar DJ Battle, so what more proof do you need?

Following Smith's rise to international acting acclaim, Jeff went the producer route, championing such acts as fellow Philly natives Jill Scott and Musiq Soulchild. He also founded A Touch of Jazz, his hometown-based production company.

For a guy who didn't do quite as well as his one-time partner, homeboy has certainly remained busy. And goddamn if he can't still cut it up like a ninja on crack.

mp3: The Garden (DJ Jazzy Jeff ft. Big Daddy Kane from The Return of the Magnificent)

mp3: Rhythm Trax - House Party Style (DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince from He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper)

mp3: Musik Lounge (DJ Jazzy Jeff ft. Odyssey from The Magnificent)

Old Skool Review: Biz Markie

You may not immediately think "Renaissance Man" when you consider Biz Markie, but that's just because you're ignorant. Let's review the facts, shall we? While he started off as some kid on the corner beat boxing for Roxanne Shante, the man has had one of the longest, if not most successful, careers in all of hip-hop-dom. He has played opposite Will Smith in Men in Black II, has starred in numerous commercials, created dance crazes and even taught our brats to make the music with their mouths on Yo Gabba Gabba! For a mush-mouthed MC originally from Savage, Maryland, the man has managed to hold onto the spotlight for more than two decades now. Not too shabby, if you ask me.

For better or worse, even if he weren't one of the original premiere beatboxers of his or any other day, his indelible print still would be stamped on the rap world for his part in Grand Upright Music, Ltd. vs. Warner Bros. Records, a landmark case that essentially stated all future samples on any record must first be cleared by the original artist. Biz sampled "Alone Again (Naturally)" by Gilbert O'Sullivan, and the judge decided that was a no-no. (Ah, to be back in the days when any and everything was sampled, semi-legally. Good times, good times.) Having one of the earliest rap tracks to chart on the Billboard Top 10 for "Just a Friend" doesn't hurt his standing any, either.

All this from a guy who's first big hit was about picking his nose. Go off, Biz. Nobody beats you.

Tell me this guy wouldn't be your coolest uncle, and i'll call you a liar.

mp3: Just Rhymin' with Biz (Big Daddy Kane & Biz Markie from Long Live the Kane)

mp3: Me Versus Me (Biz Markie from The Biz Never Sleeps)

mp3: Nobody Beats the Biz (Special Marley Marl Remix) (Biz Markie from Goin' Off)

mp3: Haunted House (DJ Yoda ft. Biz Markie from The Amazing Adventures of DJ Yoda)

Oh, and guess who's on the Fresh Fest bill for March 19 at DAR Constitution Hall? i hope the Missus didn't already have plans for us, 'cuz we gots some now.

Old Skool Review--Big Daddy Kane

The Smooth Operator. King Asiatic Nobody's Equal. Antonio Hardy to his mother. Oh yeah, you know I'm just talking 'bout Big Daddy Kane. Originally a member of the Juice Crew along with other such notables as Biz Markie, Marly Marl, Roxanne Shante, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, Kane ain't no half stepper. His smooth lyrical flow is all the more impressive when you factor in the guy's lightning fast capabilities. Going beyond the music, though, this is the cat that helped popularize the high top fade and obscenely fat gold chains. And, truth be told, he had some of the tightest dancers and moves in the game at the time. I'll go you one further, even--His debut, Long Live the Kane, is one of the top 10 rap albums of the 1980s, no question.

Back in the day, I saw two major rap tours when rap was just starting to seep into the national consciousness (mid-80s, son). Both were group tours, and between the two, had damn near everybody that was anybody. This is where I saw Tupac as a back-up dancer for Digital Underground, Slick Rick before he was arrested and Heavy D when he still had the Boyz. BDK was the second bill at one of these shows, and the crowd, particularly the ladies, went buck wild when he took the stage. I probably don't need the image of him kicking it shirtless and in spandex in my brain like I do, but suffice to say, the guy certainly made an impression.

I've since seen the Kane perform once since then at a small club along the DC waterfront. Even though he literally showed up three and a half hours late and only played for maybe 45 minutes, the guy still tore up the stage. In recent years, he's popped up here and there in cameo roles, including stints with DJ Jazzy Jeff and showing up on Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Now is the time for to get your learn on, children. And Big Daddy Kane will take you there.

mp3: I Get The Job Done (Big Daddy Kane)

mp3: Set It Off (Big Daddy Kane)