Welcome back my fellow hip hop lovers. Today we’re bringing it back to 1988 for an album that changed the commercial outlook of hip hop and rap forever. On March 29th, 1988 DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince released their second album He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper. Will Smith (yes, that Will Smith) and Jeff Townes created the classic duo in the early 19080s when Will Smith filled in for Townes’ hype man at a local house party that Townes was performing at. The two went on to be pop icons. Their music made them popular and their success transferred to the screen quickly, but we’re gonna focus on the music.
He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper became the first double album in hip hop music. 85 minutes of dope beats and clean rhymes over two vinyl discs. It reached triple platinum status in 1995 and was placed on the The Source magazine’s 100 Best Rap Albums list. The album’s second single “Parents Just Don’t Understand” will stand forever as the first ever winner of the Grammy for Best Rap Performance. DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince were crucial in bringing hip hop to the pop scene. Will Smith will always be remembered for his clean, family friendly lyrics. He thought it was very important to keep his raps clean and didn’t feel the need to curse on his records, both with Jazzy and in his own solo music later in his career.
DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince opened the door to the Grammys for rap and hip hop. This gave the genre the mainstream respect it had deserved, but not received, for years. And for that, we have to pay respect. Without this iconic duo, who knows where hip hop would have ended up. We’d definitely be short one of my all time favorite songs, “Summertime” even though it is not off this album. We are here to show love to those who paved the way for the artists of today, and these two are worthy of all kinds of love. Check out the Grammy winning track below and make sure to look up some more of their music while you’re at it. I’ll see you same place, same time tomorrow for another hip hop history lesson.
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