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