 This week on the show we celebrated my legit G.O.A.T. DJ, The Magnificent DJ Jazzy Jeff. Whether you know him from his time as the other half to Will Smith’s Fresh Prince, or as the man behind A Touch of Jazz records, or even if you just know him as the guy Uncle Phil used to toss out the house every week, Jeffery Townes has been the prototype for the core of the art of DJing since he first made himself known in 1985.  Jeff came up in the block party, house party, and DJ battle scene in Philadelphia, and back then, the name of the game was breaks, cuts, and energy. Crate diggers and DJs would hunt for obscure or overlooked songs and even go to great lengths to hide their discoveries by washing the labels from their records so other DJs couldn’t bite. It was a very different game back then.  Jeff also came up in an era where the DJ and the emcee often shared top billing, to show you the importance and the role that the DJ played. The DJ was the whole band – the drummer, the guitarist, the bass and the backup singer rolled into one. They had songs dedicated to them on albums and instrumental tracks that gave the DJ room to flex. In Jeff’s case, half of an entire album was frequently devoted to DJ-focused tracks. Take some time and explore his catalog. You’ll see what I see which is an artist who has not only adapted to fit over the decades but one who has led – in style, innovation, and adoption of new technology. These are our heroes. The Purple Room - Playlist for April 6, 2024Nuyorican Soul
Jazzy Jeff’s Theme Little Brother Watch Me (Instrumental) DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince Live at Union Square (November 1986) DJ Jazzy Jeff Ludesfordays Interlude Jill Scott A Long Walk (Jazzy Jeff Redux) DJ Jazzy Jeff f/ Raheem DeVaughn My Soul Ain’t For Sale DJ Jazzy Jeff Hi & Hungry Interlude The Roots The Next Movement DJ Jazzy Jeff f/ J-Live Break it Down DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince Jazzy’s Groove The Temptations Papa Was a Rolling Stone (Jazzy Jeff Soleful Mix) DJ Jazzy Jeff It’s June Already DJ Jazzy Jeff f/ Oddisee Musik Lounge DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince A Touch of Jazz DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince Rhythm Trax – House Party Style Comments are closed.
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The Purple RoomThe Purple Room is an NCRA award-winning hour of music by Black musicians from across the African diaspora—all genres, all eras. It airs every Saturday at 2pm MT, and replays on Sundays at 11am on CJSR FM 88.5. Archives
September 2024
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