Just Blaze On “People’s Party With Talib Kweli”

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In this episode of “People’s Party With Talib Kweli”, Talib Kweli and Jasmin Leigh sit down with one of the most prolific and legendary producers in hip hop:

JUST BLAZE

Here’s what they got into:

  • His childhood, growing up in New Jersey, in a home of music lovers
  • Why it’s crucial that kids learn the skill of computer programming
  • Where Just’s alias of Megatron Don originated from
  • The impact that John William’s “Star Wars” score had on him
  • This history of Just’s love for sneakers and his new show, “Fresh Pair”
  • Getting his hip hop education at six years old from NYC’s radio shows
  • An early ability to call out samples and winning radio call-in contests
  • New Jersey’s love for house music going hand in hand with hip hop
  • Being invited to the offices of Cold Chillin’ records at 16 years old
  • One of his first studio visits being a Rah Digga session
  • Feeling vindicated when the Outsidaz wanted to rap over his beats
  • A&R Gee Roberson calling on Just to join Roc-A-Fella’s production team
  • J Period’s spiritual decision to ditch sampling and Just getting his records
  • The importance of Memphis Bleek to the success story of Roc-A-Fella
  • People calling and pretending to be well-known artists, fishing for money
  • Just’s signature call-out on tracks and what it’s meant for his career
  • Young Guru and his contribution to the process of Just’s productions
  • The longevity of Freeway’s “What We Do” featuring Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel
  • Cutting Freeway’s “Roc The Mic” and knowing it would be a hit
  • Kanye stating that he and Just were arch nemesis’ at Roc-A-Fella
  • The importance of the features on Jay-Z’s song, “Girls, Girls, Girls”
  • ‘The Blueprint’ essentially being recorded over a single weekend
  • Why Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth’s ‘Main Ingredient’ was so impactful
  • Jay-Z having some of the most fun doing his B-Sides concerts
  • Working at Roc-A-Fella Records during the time Dipset entered the fold
  • If there were tensions during the making of “Welcome To New York City”
  • The beat for T.I.’s “Live Your Life” originally being made as a joke
  • The importance of Saigon’s “Gotta Believe It” and Maino’s “All The Above”
  • Jay Electronica, his mystique and the making of Exhibit’s A, B, and C
  • When can we expect a Just Blaze album?

“People’s Party With Talib Kweli” is also available to give a listen via Spotify | SoundCloud | Google Play | Apple | Luminary