DJ Premier

This article is about the American hip hop producer and DJ. For the Ghanaian radio personality, see DJ Premier (radio DJ).

DJ Premier
DJ Premier in 2019
DJ Premier in 2019
Background information
Birth nameChristopher Edward Martin
Also known as
  • Preem
  • Preemo
Born (1966-03-21) March 21, 1966 (age 58)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • disc jockey
DiscographyProduction discography
Years active1987–present
Labels
Member of
Websitepremierwuzhere.com

Christopher Edward Martin (born March 21, 1966),[1] known professionally as DJ Premier (also known as Preemo), is an American record producer and DJ. He has been frequently lauded as one of hip hop's greatest producers by publications such as Vibe. He formed the hip hop duo Gang Starr—alongside American rapper Guru—in 1983, with whom he has released seven albums. He formed another hip hop duo, PRhyme–with American rapper Royce da 5'9"—in 2014, with whom he has released two albums.

Premier has produced each Gang Starr's releases, as well as many of those by the Gang Starr Foundation. Alongside this, he has been credited with production work on releases for ASAP Mob, AZ, Common, the Game, Griselda, Jeru the Damaja, J. Cole, Jay-Z, Joey Badass, Kanye West, Limp Bizkit, M.O.P., Mos Def, Nas, the Notorious B.I.G., O.C., Rakim, Run the Jewels, and Showbiz & A.G., among others. Despite mainly working in underground hip hop, he has produced Billboard Hot 100-charting singles including "Ain't No Other Man" (2006) by Christina Aguilera, "The Actual" (1998) by All City, "Mass Appeal" (1994) and "You Know My Steez" (1997) by Gang Starr, "MC's Act Like They Don't Know" (1995) by KRS-One, and "Nas Is Like" (1999) by Nas.[1]

Martin founded the record label, Year Round Records in 2010. He has signed acts including New York group NYGz, New Jersey rapper Nick Javas, and Houston rapper Khalil. Tha Blaqprint by Blaq Poet, which features 13 Premier productions, was released by Year Round Records through Fat Beats Records in June 2009.[2]

  1. ^ a b John Bush. "DJ Premier Biography". Allmusic.com. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Morning news was invoked but never defined (see the help page).