All Rights Reserved. At the endand I want to say it was the first seasonof the show, the video came on. 2015's "Straight Outta Compton," the NWA biopic, was an entertaining, somewhat accurate recounting of the rise of the "world's most dangerous group." If you pay attention to the songs music video, youll see a familiar scene that was later used during the opening credits of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Welcome to DJ Jazzy Jeff's YouTube channel. Hula & K. Fingers came up with the concept to use [Kool & The Gangs] Summer Madness. The one thing that I realized with Will, he would always say he could write a song in 10 minutes, but coming up with the concept could take 10 days. [8], DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince also won a second Grammy for "Summertime".[9]. More than 30 years later, the song continues to transport listeners back to simpler times, when riding around in your Jeep or your Benzos was the only thing on the agenda. ", Jazzy Jeff may not command seven-figure paydays like his buddy, but one gets the idea that it bothers him not at all he is pretty obviously living his best life. It wasnt like it was at home. I dont think people from the East Coast ever really appreciate the four seasons. After DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince broke up, Townes went on to become a prominent R&B, soul, and neo soul record producer, establishing the A Touch of Jazz production company in his native Philadelphia. Whether you sign up to make beats or not, this is the place to be. Copyright 2023. I was like, Oh, man, this feels good. Keep track of how much of DJ Jazzy Jeffs work you have seen. DJ Jazzy Jeff on Tour. If I've found utopia, why leave? We debuted the video on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Im Looking for the One (To Be With Me)(1993), DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince recruited famed producer Teddy Riley to produce the smooth, rhythmic earworm off the groups fifth and final studio effortCode Red. We had already thought past that. A new episode On Demand every Monday, starting April 17th, 2023: Go Interactive with new episodes on Mondays, followed by a real-time conversation with DJ Jazzy Jeff and guests each week. He ended up going into the studio in Chicago, and thats what came out. Then we came with Summertime. I almost feel like we hit this lull and came back with this record that propelled us. I am one of those people that I dont listen to a lot of the stuff that I do. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion (2020), DJ Jazzy Jeff was born on 15 January 1965 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. If it ever bothered him, you wouldn't know it by the fact that one of his earliest business endeavors was created to put other artists in the spotlight: In 1990, he founded the record label, production company, and recording studio A Touch of Jazz, with the express purpose of helping out artists from his beloved Philadelphia (and, of course, putting out releases for himself and Smith). He also appeared as the lead interview in Paul Stenning's book Success By Those Who've Made It. Will Smiths jovial storytelling and theatrics coupled with DJ Jazzy Jeffs masterful turntable skills were a far cry from the R-rated braggadocio of gangster rap during the 90s but positioned the Philadelphia-based pairto go down as one of hip-hops dynamic rap duos. Im extremely appreciative of having something like that. Software. Learn the essential steps for creating an original beat that you will be proud to share, and be a part of hip-hop history by joining in live sessions with Jeff and friends, hosted by music journalist and hip-hop aficionado Dominick KingDom Draper. A running joke throughout the show's run involved the character being physically ejected from the house by Uncle Phil (James Avery), most often using the same footage for comedic effect, but sometimes filming new footage instead. Townes was featured in the video game DJ Hero as a playable character. When Smith branched out into television with the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Jazzy Jeff played a character named Jazz, Smith's best friend on the show. Every year, I think its the year like, OK, this is it. Words and Sounds, Vol. I could walk through the mall being DJ Jazzy Jeff, but it was really hard to walk through the mall being Jazz from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Their 1988 follow-up album, He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper, made them multi-platinum stars. As much as I love Girls Aint Nothing but Trouble and Parents Just Dont Understand, they had a run and then faded out. Read Full Biography. It debuted to 1015 million people. Theyre not gonna play Summertime this year. Then as soon as it gets warm, I get texts like, Yeah, now playing Summertime. Or, Another radio station just dropped Summertime. Its absolutely a blessing. Packs, DJ [12], In 2013, DJ Jazzy Jeff performed with Will Smith on The Graham Norton Show. Wed like to show you some cool content from SoundCloud but you have opted out of allowing us to use 3rd party cookies. He was the guy that played music that everyone in the neighborhood loved. The Retreat's official website describes it as "an intimate gathering of progressive artists for the purpose of inspiration, motivation, and collaboration an organic exchange between people who believe in a greater purpose for expression through music." ), and occasional live streams featuring sets by Jeff's DJ homies and sometimes the man himself. He has four children: two sons from a previous relationship including actor Amir Mitchell-Townes, a son with Lynette named Pleasant, and a daughter with Lynette named August. In 1998 the label released the compilation Greatest Hits with the hits and two previously unreleased songs. DJ Jazzy Jeff Actor Composer Producer IMDbPro Starmeter See rank Play trailer 2:24 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion (2020) 2 Videos 18 Photos DJ Jazzy Jeff was born on 15 January 1965 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Rock The House (1987) "When we rock the house there is no doubt (is no doubt) / That me and Ready C will turn it out (turn it out) / We're down with the DJ Jazzy Jeff (Jazzy Jeff) / And you know that we are def (that we're def) / And you should not settle for less / Than the undisputed best". 14. He would call me and ask, Whats going on in Philly? And I was like, Yo, man, it was, like, 75 degrees. It only took a few days to finish the song. It wasnt just staged food. Whats really funny isthis was the beginning of the. We actually shot the video in a lot of the places that Will talked about. The film was House Party. A pioneer whose crate-digging and beat-making skills remain unparalleled, West Philadelphia's DJ Jazzy Jeff has been one of hip-hop's most celebrated DJs for more than three decades. In fact, you might be surprised just how many times in the last 20 years or so the Fresh Prince has seen his way clear to pick up the mic once again, with Jeff manning the decks as always. "He wanted to be a movie star and I wanted to do music," Jeff said. But that emotion and feeling when youre turning the corner into the summer season, Will didnt get that while he was in L.A. Thats what made him write the song. [5] Raised in the area, Townes developed a reputation and a following as a local school and block party DJ. The video showed Prince's misadventures of trying to get around his parents' strict rules in a very comical way, very much like their first single "Girls Ain't Nothing but Trouble". For the first time, and only in one place, Jeff is sharing his most tried and true production tricks and techniques to help you get your beats fit to distribute. I knew we had something. Once Will laid down his vocals, he got on the plane and left, and then Hula & K. Fingers finished it. [13] Also that same year, DJ Jazzy Jeff released Vinyl Destination,[14] a web series documenting his hundred plus DJ shows from all around the world. You might not have known his face, you might not have known his name but he was the guy that made everyone move."[6]. Before the hit TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith (the duo performed under the moniker DJ Jazzy Jeff &The Fresh Prince) had begun to find a place for themselves in the rap world once they released their debut album Rock the House with Girls Aint Nothing But Trouble as the lead single. I even think down to the record company, you started to get a sense that people didnt believe in you anymore. At the Closed Sessions Legend Conversation: DJ Jazzy Jeff held last Thursday at Dorian's Through The Record Shop in Chicago, Jeff, 57, discussed his. Who else can say that? So they cooked the food, and we ate it, and then theyd cook more food. Seasoned crate digger DJ Jazzy Jeff dons the iconic blindfold for an episode of Rhythm Roulette. You cant call it. Arguably the first DJ to turn into a household name, DJ Jazzy Jeff is now synonymous with the art of turntablism. Raised in West Philadelphia, it was the regular summer block parties where his musical appetite blossomed and his path to DJing was set. You cant call it. Ed Sheeran even gave the tune theacoustic treatment back in January. Popular hip hop duo composed of Jeff Townes AKA DJ Jazzy Jeff (b. Jeffrey A. Townes, 22 January 1965, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA) and Will Smith AKA The Fresh Prince (b. Willard Christopher Smith Jr., 25 September 1968, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA). I dont think at the time anyone wouldve guessed that it was going to have this kind of [legacy], Andy Horowitz, creator of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, told EW about the openingsequence. In the early seasons, the two characters always greeted each other with their signature handshake (swinging mid-five, point-back, snap with both characters saying "Pssh!"). Every hit song has an entertaining tale about how it came together. It was a means to the end. They were in the studio a couple of months ago, as revealed on Jazzy Jeff's Instagram. I could tell the emotion of what we were trying to capture came across in the video. In 1991, artists like Tupac, Naughty by Nature and A Tribe Called Quest ruled hip-hops golden age,but that didnt stop DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince from scoring one of the most successful singles of the year. Only during live sessions will you get gems from individuals who have not only shaped music as we know it but continue to make a lasting impact on the industry. DJ Jazzy Jeff spun a pair of rap Grammys into a role on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." On Saturday, he joins Robin Thicke and Tamia for "Clbrez en Ros" at National Harbor. In fact, the music video for Summertime premiered during a July 91 episode of the show. On some occasions, he made appearances with Smith at live concerts, producing DJ scratches. 20 Billboard Hot 100 and No. Crystal clear beat-making processes, tips, and tricks from a multi-Grammy Winning Producer. In a conversation with Philly Voice, Jazzy Jeff revealed that he at first didn't believe it when mutual acquaintances kept telling him Dre was trying to contact him, until he found himself on the phone with the legendary producer. Most notably, he served as executive producer of Jill Scott's 2000 debut Who Is Jill Scott? The song was played in an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ("Someday Your Prince Will Be In Effect (Part 1)"), and referenced in two other episodes of the same series ("The Fresh Prince Project" and "Not With My Pig, You Don't"). That was one of the first times that something like that was cross-promoted. Allrightsreserved. And what was interesting is this song really came about because Will was like, Hey, man, it was 82 degrees on Christmas. It gained much airplay on TV channels such as MTV, giving the group much attention. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Wills flight was delayed, so he was in Chicago when he wrote it. He was one of the first major DJs to make the switch from analog to digital, and says his non-stop touring schedule across the globe wouldnt be possible without it. In the song, the Fresh Prince explains how Jeff has brought in a tape that contains a very cool song that he cannot help but rap over, and how fans react to it. They both felt strong chemistry, and Townes was disappointed when his hype man finally made it to the party. Following another Best Rap Performance award for the Top Five 1991 pop hit "Summertime" and the 1993 conclusion of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince's run with Code Red, Townes assisted with Smith's solo material and worked with several other rap and R&B artists. In 2007, he appeared with Rhymefest in a video directed by Konee Rok, in which he makes music in his home recording studio with Rhymefest. Jeff has hand-picked a few friends to share exclusive production knowledge with you. Shake the Room.The cut bowed at No. Words and Sounds, Vol. It was a really, really fun day because it was an actual picnic. [19][20], "Jazzy Jeff" redirects here. First, Jeff has a deservedly towering stature in hip-hop, one that goes far beyond his squeaky-clean pop hits with Smith. No, that is selfish. Fun fact: Although Will Smith couldnt defeat Mike Tyson, he did go on to star as Muhammad Ali in the 2001 filmAli. The names are just different. Who else can say that. History often repeats itself, and in hip-hop, sampling throwbacksongs is commonplace. Among A Touch of Jazz's early successes was the theme for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the sitcom on which Townes acted as the sidekick to Smith's lead character (to the comic annoyance of James Avery's Uncle Phil). I like when Im surprised and I hear it. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Then we came with Summertime. I almost feel like we hit this lull and came back with this record that propelled us. Of course, when one is a DJ, one must spin, preferably in front of as many people as possible, and Jazzy Jeff certainly hasn't been slacking in that respect. Townes was born on January 22, 1965, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Questlove even plugged the song on hisTop 50 Hip-Hop Songs of All Timelist. Production, Pitch The lead single "Boom! With the music initially conceived by Chicago-based producersHula& K. Fingers, Summertime reached No. Despite not being an official act for decades (their last album was 1993's "Code Red"), it's not like Jazzy Jeff and the erstwhile Fresh Prince have ever had any kind of falling out. We spoke to DJ Jazzy Jeff (real name Jeff Townes), a co-writer of Summertime, about creating the timeless track and its impact on pop culture. Along with fellow Philly DJ Cash Money, he was soon acknowledged for the development of the Transformer scratch -- a dexterous technique generating a sound similar to that of the like-named toys -- as documented on "Live at Union Square, November 1986." When they sent it to me, I did a version of it. I could tell the emotion of what we were trying to capture came across in the video. Years later, Will and Jazzy performed together sometimes in parties for close friends or selected events, but never announced a return as was credited as "DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince". For the first three seasons of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Smith had 25% of his paycheck subjected to IRS garnishment. You get that smile, reminiscing back, and just the level of appreciation of what year it is and that we are still listening to that song. I dont know if a record company could have ever gotten greater promotion. You only hope to have something like that. He was really just reflecting on what summers in. It really worked out for everybody. That track appeared on He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince's 1988 mainstream breakthrough. He was a member of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince with Will Smith. The association was further cemented when Jeff joined the cast of Smith's beloved '90s . As you may have gathered, Jazzy Jeff has rocked the descriptor "The Magnificent" since before anyone outside of Philly knew just how magnificent he was. With the precision and boom-bap stylings of DJ Jazzy Jeff plus theflow and cadence of Will Smith on wax, the song finds the two saluting the elements and style of hip-hops mecca while fusing their own brand-new funk into the mix. Strangely enough, "The Magnificent" appears to have been shorted an appearance by another MC you may have heard of. Then Will comes back with Gettin Jiggy Wit It and Men in Black. Weve been resurrected like five or six times. I dont care where you are in this world. MHP) as a series of Live streams broadcasted online for people and fans (a.k.a. He was one half of the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, along with Will Smith. It sounds good. But Smith ended up squandering almost US$2.8m, while failing to pay any of it to the Internal Revenue Service in income taxation. In addition, he appeared in several of Smith's music videos such as "Will2K" and "Freakin' It". You dont ever predict a hit. Two-time Grammy-winning producer DJ Jazzy Jeff steps from behind the decks to share a lifetime's accumulated knowledge on producing. As a duo, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince had several gold and platinum-selling albums and singles in the late 1980s and early 1990s, earning them the first rap Grammy Award ever presented in 1989 for "Parents Just Don't Understand". The song features much more of Jazzy Jeff, like in "Brand New Funk"; Jazzy Jeff gives a 'math lesson' by making the sound clips add 1+1, 2+1, and 2+2. It was a really, really fun day because it was an actual picnic. The third Magnificent album, M3, arrived in 2018 with a core vocal crew consisting of Rhymefest, Dayne Jordan, and Uhmeer. A pioneering turntablist acknowledged for his development of the Transformer scratch, as well as a veteran global club DJ, Townes has also led the production house A Touch of Jazz, executive-produced Jill Scott's multi-platinum debut (2000), and released numerous DJ sets and studio albums, including multiple volumes of Hip Hop Forever (2004-2006) and the Magnificent trilogy (2002-2018). It wasnt really like a celebrity barbecue as much as my mom was in it, Wills mom was in it, and his grandmother was in it. In fact, the music video for Summertime premiered during a July 91 episode of the show. I know, especially early in hip-hop, artists didnt have a lot of longevity. That same year, the band embarked on its first major tour with Run DMC and Public Enemy. How LL Cool J Got Them Back Together Onstage", "DJ Jazzy Jeff Speaks On Getting Hitched, Advice From Will Smith", "Cory Townes Speaks on Journalism Inspirations, Landing His First Major Writing Gig, Being a Popular Figure for Today's Social Climate and more", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=DJ_Jazzy_Jeff&oldid=1149999934, Unreleased album from Sony Records (1998), 1997: "Jazzy Jeff's Theme" (from the album, 2004: "Mirrorball (DJ Jazzy Jeff Full Sole Remix)" (by, 2005: "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone (DJ Jazzy Jeff & Pete Kuzma Solefull Mix)" (by, 2006: "Feel It (Jazzy Jeff Soulful Remix)" (by, 2006: "Night in Tunisia (DJ Jazzy Jeff Remix)" (by, 2009: "Prince in Training" MaC Renegade (hosted by DJ Jazzy Jeff), 2009: "Stay This Way (Jazzy Jeff Remix)" by, 2011: "No Strings (DJ Jazzy Jeff Roller Boogie Remix)" , 2013: "Red Hot Flo (From Kokomo) (DJ Jazzy Jeff Remix)" from, 2014: "World is Our Playground (DJ Jazzy Jeff Remix)" , 2014: "We Are One (DJ Jazzy Jeff Remix)" , 2014: "Room Test" Dayne Jordan (producer), 2014: "All About the Art" Dayne Jordan and, 2014: "I Want It All" Dayne Jordan (producer), 2014: "Play Dat!" 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and awarded the duo with the first-ever Grammy for best rap performance (they later boycotted the Grammys for not televising the category). It wasnt just staged food. OK, look: Yes, Jazzy Jeff was the guy behind the decks in that goofy video while Will Smith griped about how parents just don't understand, and he's instantly recognizable while hurtling through the front door of a Bel-Air mansion as if launched by a catapult. By Mix Staff Published: 03/02/2023 DJ Jazzy Jeff in a still from a promotional clip for Command Central: Making Beats. [7], At the time of winning the Grammy Award, DJ Jazzy Jeff came home crying as he had just $500 in the bank. Mag Mob) to enjoy Jeff's music and turntable skills, from the safety of their own . Due to a self-admitted spendthrift attitude,[6] Smith felt he had nothing to lose when a producer from NBC and Quincy Jones approached him with an idea for a sitcom, with Townes appearing as a recurring character, named "Jazz". Who Is Jill Scott? MHP) as a series of Livestreams broadcasted online for people and fans (a.k.a. 1 in UK, Ireland, Spain and Australia, and featured a harder sound than any of their other songs. n Time, Legacy Stream Defected Broadcasting House HERE:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZYkcFollow DJ Jazzy Jeff:www.djjazzyjeff.com https://www.instagram.com/djjazzyjeff/https://www.twitch.tv/djjazzyjeffMusic:https://defected.lnk.to/MusicShop: http://defected.com/storeDefected YouTube is the home of house music with artists including MK, Sam Divine, CamelPhat, Gorgon City, Monki, Louie Vega \u0026 Dennis Ferrer.Music:https://defected.com/music/releases/Playlists:https://defected.com/music/playlists/Radio:https://defected.com/music/radio/#HouseMusicAllLifeLong Jazzy Jeff, real name Jeffrey Townes, will forever be associated with international megastar Will Smith, with whom he scored scads of gold and platinum albums and chart-topping hits in the '80s and '90s as the rap duo DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. DJ, Expansion The record's release coincided with A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, which caused legal threats from the movie's distributor New Line Cinema. That is extremely rare. The duo's commercial peak, the album went triple platinum on the strength of the number 12 pop hit "Parents Just Don't Understand," the first winner of the Grammy award for Best Rap Performance. According to "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life," the transform may have first been practiced by Philly's late, great DJ Spinbad, and further developed by Jeff and DJ Cash Money in competition with each other. DJ Jazzy Jeff Reflects On His and Will Smith's 1991 Hit Single Summertime Liza Lentini Published June 1, 2023 at 8:45 AM This Is How Will Smith Really Felt About Jada Pinkett-Smith's Relationship. The idea was to bring together musicians, techies, activists, executives really, anybody with a horse in the "making good music" race to generate new ideas and foster creativity. But in the '80s, they were a heck of a lot mushier, which is why Jazzy Jeff's razor-sharp scratches sounded so impressive. Simultaneously, Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff were becoming TV stars due to the incredible success of the beloved 90s sitcom. The group received the first Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989 for "Parents Just Don't Understand", though their most successful single was "Summertime" which earned the group their second Grammy and peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. A popular running gag would have Uncle Phil (James Avery) literally throwing Jazz out of the house; however, this action is not restricted to Uncle Phil, as other characters, including Hilary Banks (Karyn Parsons), Geoffrey Butler (Joseph Marcell), the second Aunt Vivian (Daphne Maxwell Reid) and even Will himself, have thrown him out in the same manner. To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here. I didnt think it was going to turn into what it turned into. In the same conversation with Vibe, he opened up about the Playlist Retreat, which he began holding annually at his home in 2015. "Summertime" earned DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince another Grammy, this time for best rap performance by a duo or group, in 1992, and the song peaked at No. Get in the mix, share your ideas, and you might even get to link with some of your favorite producers! The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air boosted his profile and his pocketbook. Among the artists that Jazzy Jeff has helped develop are Eric Roberson, Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Eminem, the Roots, Raheem DeVaughn, Darius Rucker, Talib Kweli, Floetry, Rhymefest, and many more. Both songs have the early 1990s' typical sound. A different rendition of each song from the one on the LP was featured in the videos. The Rugged Man feat. DJ Jazzy Jeff is Will Smith 's defense. Shake the Room" reached No. I was like, Oh, man, this feels good. Access to Live Events with Special Guests, Get Your Beats Heard and Potentially Played Out by Jeff. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Groupat the1992 Grammy Awards. Today's crossfaders can, if the DJ requires it, cut the volume on a turntable completely and cleanly with a tiny flick of the wrist. Before Will Smiths acting career took off with roles in Bad Boys, Independence Day and Men in Black, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince released their last joint album, Code Red, led by Boom! Innovative hip-hop DJ and also a producer, known most for his Grammy-winning work with Will Smith, and for boosting the career of Jill Scott. Since then, Jeff has donned an impressive number of hats. He took the stage name DJ Jazzy Jeff. At the endand I want to say it was the first seasonof the show, the video came on. . We came off of Girls Aint Nothing but Trouble and rolled right into Parents Just Dont Understand, sold three million more copies, won all the awards, and then came back with, , which sold a million copies, and it wasnt met with the same admirationI mean, it was a good album, but it wasnt the album that. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Since earning the very first GRAMMY Award for a hip-hop category with The Fresh Prince (Will Smith), DJ Jazzy Jeff is known the world over as a genre-defining DJ, music producer, and entrepreneur with a career spanning more than three decades and countless accolades. 1, a Top 20 Billboard 200 hit that led to a handful of Grammy nominations and a double-platinum certification. We would be like, Hey, were gonna do the Soul Train line or whatever. 1 on the, Hot 100 and won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Groupat the1992 Grammy Awards. That was amazing. [10], In 2009, he made a mixtape titled He's the KingI'm the DJ in honor of the late entertainer Michael Jackson. I dont care why you know me once I get you in that building my job is to convert you to a fan.. Get constructive feedback on your music from one of the best to ever do it, and you might even hear your beats played out in Jeffs internationally streamed DJ sets! Jeffrey Allen Townes, known professionally as DJ Jazzy Jeff, is an American disc jockey and music producer. Executing the technique rhythmically while moving the record back and forth resulted in something that sounded a lot like a Transformer turning into whichever vehicle in the old cartoon hence, it came to be known as the transform scratch. Musiq Soulchild, Jasmine Sullivan, Justin Timberlake. Welcome to the DJ Jazzy Jeff Facebook Page! They're still best of friends. He was a member of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince with Will Smith. It debuted to 1015 million people. "I am going to bring you 'cause you gotta see this s**t. You don't understand you're at the house party, at the ballroom party, thinking that 'this is it,' and [then] there are 50,000 people on the beach [overseas] enjoying this music. [6], In 1990 Ready Rock C decided not to continue as support. Some songs by Smith were produced by Townes, and he has performed on some songs by Smith such as "So Fresh" and "Potnas". Let's explore just why Jazzy Jeff is such an icon in the hip-hop community, and what he's been up to for the last couple of decades. "Ring My Bell" and "Things That U Do" were the ensuing singles. Its gonna be 85 degrees here todayI guarantee if I turn the radio on, Im gonna hear Summertime about three or four times. Jeffrey Allen Townes (born January 22, 1965), known professionally as DJ Jazzy Jeff (or simply Jazz), is an American disc jockey (DJ) and music producer. His YouTube channel has been sporadically active over the years, and during its periods of highest activity, it's very active like during the several years that he was producing the web series "Vinyl Destination," which highlighted his globe-hopping exploits with his buddies (such as his protg Skratch Bastid, a ridiculously skilled DJ in his own right) often in tow. Charlie Mac visiting Rakim and DJ Jazzy Jeff in the studio "It's great because it doesn't pigeonhole you into one thing," he said. ", "DJ Jazz Jeff Interview Made From Scratch", "Jazz Jeff & Fresh Prince* - Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble", "Will Smith: My Work Ethic Is "Sickening", "Fresh Ink Talks to Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince", Will Smith's 'Fresh Prince' Rap Returns, Star Joined By Alfonso Ribeiro, Jaden Smith, DJ Jazzy Jeff, American Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=DJ_Jazzy_Jeff_%26_the_Fresh_Prince&oldid=1156235263, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles with style issues from November 2014, Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 21 May 2023, at 21:45. So the fact [is] the concept of Summertime was already there because of Summer Madnessall he did was fill in the lines. was. The association was further cemented when Jeff joined the cast of Smith's beloved '90s sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" as the recurring character Jazz, the good buddy of the title character, who couldn't seem to keep from getting chucked headlong out the front door by good old Uncle Phil on an alarmingly regular basis. The video was shot in black and white, showed live performance clips from a concert and featured 2 Damn Hype Dancing. I even think down to the record company, you started to get a sense that people didnt believe in you anymore. Jeff soon developed his own following, and went on to popularize . In 2005, Smith and Townes performed together at the Philadelphia leg of Live 8. Now, nearly 30years removed from the shows debut, the ubiquitous one-liner from the track (In West Philadelphia, born and raised) has become a pop-culture staple and cemented the shows legacy within TV history. We sent it back in, and the next thing you know, theyre like, Hey, this is the first single, and this is coming out.. Watch Jeff rise to the occasion using Serato Sample and a stash of records from the man with the goods, Gene Brown. Every year, I think its the year like, OK, this is it. I didnt think it was going to turn into what it turned into. ", Hauling along his young friends and proteges to his overseas gigs, though, also serves a different purpose. Jeff soon developed his own following, and went on to popularize his characteristic transformer scratch, and won the first ever Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance as DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince for Parents Just Dont Understand, and again for the 91 anthem Summertime. DJ Jazzy Jeff Reflects On His and Will Smith's 1991 Hit Single Summertime "Will's flight was delayed, so he was in Chicago when he wrote it. Oddly, Jeff's posts slowed down during the pandemic era, but that's likely only because his globetrotting ways were limited during that time, and it would surprise us not at all to see his frequency of posts ramping up once he's back out on the road more regularly. They also performed together as recently as September 2019. I'm like, 'Right where I'm at.' At that show in Budapest (via Belfast Telegraph), Smith told the crowd, "We were just two kids from Philly that had a dream, so there has never been a time in my life that I didn't look to the side and have a great friend For more than half of my life he has been one of the best friends I've ever had. Shake the Room, and then Will and I completely disappear. Click to buy the track or album via iTunes: http://smarturl.it/JFPGHiTunes?IQid=JFPSGoogle Play: http://smarturl.it/DJZPlay?IQid=JFPSAmazon: http://smarturl.it/JFPGHAm?IQid=JFPSMore From DJ Jazzy Jeff \u0026 The Fresh PrinceBrand New Funk: https://youtu.be/u68UmIY0lFQThe Things That U Do: https://youtu.be/Qmv2gt4Su4oGirls Ain't Nothing But Trouble: https://youtu.be/IOaFh-yJk_kMore great Classic Hip Hop Videos here: http://smarturl.it/CHHPlaylist?IQid=JFPSFollow DJ Jazzy Jeff \u0026 The Fresh PrinceWebsite: http://www.djjazzyjeff.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/djjazzyjeff?_rdr=pTwitter: https://twitter.com/djjazzyjeff215Instagram: https://instagram.com/djjazzyjeff/Myspace: https://myspace.com/djjazzyjeffSubscribe to DJ Jazzy Jeff \u0026 The Fresh Prince on YouTube: http://smarturl.it/JFPSub?IQid=JFPS---------Lyrics: Summer, summer, summertimeTime to sit back and unwindHere it is the groove slightly transformedJust a bit of a break from the normJust a little somethin' to break the monotonyOf all that hardcore dance that has gotten to beA little bit out of control it's cool to danceBut what about the groove that soothes that moves romanceGive me a soft subtle mixAnd if ain't broke then don't try to fix itAnd think of the summers of the pastAdjust the base and let the alpine blastPop in my CD and let me run a rhymeAnd put your car on cruise and lay back cause this is summertime Bare essentials and the technical aspects of production - Tapping into your style to create original drums and melodies, to arranging, mixing, and even sampling. 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