So, I'm getting into DJ history more and more from following the Beat Junkies and listening to the crew's podcast over the last year. I'm also realizing how much of an influence DJ Jazzy Jeff had on the DJs and producers coming up in the 1980s, especially those that were interested in mixing.

An 80s baby but kid of the 1990s, I really only knew DJ Jazzy Jeff from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, "Summertime" and "Parents Just Don't Understand."

In the late 1990s, I ordered the duo's Greatest Hits album from BMG or some other "Get 12 CDs for the price of 1" service. I was young... A few years later, I discovered "The Magnificient" album on BBE, which remains my favorite Jazzy Jeff release to this day. Y'all know BBE had a good run of producer-DJ releases in the early 2000s and I was feelin' it, e.g. Welcome 2 Detroit, Petestrumentals, King Britt's "Adventures..."

Now, I think Will Smith is a bit corny so I admit I am not eager to listen to him rap, which is probably why I never gave their 1987-1993 run a good listen. I imagine that listening to these albums will make me appreciate Jeff even more but leave me wishing someone else was rapping on those tracks. Or maybe not?

I think I'm scarred from "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" and "Miami."

What say you?

P.S. I haven't listened to the Joyner Lucas song yet...

Poll question: Best DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince album?

Poll result (13 votes) Rock the House (1987) (1 votes) Vote He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper (1988) (11 votes) Vote And in This Corner... (1989) (0 votes) Vote Homebase (1991) (0 votes) Vote Code Red (1993) (1 votes) Vote Tie (Specify below) (0 votes) Vote

Thanks. Why this joint over the current most popular selection: "He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper (1988)"?

>Thanks. Why this joint over the current most popular
>selection: "He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper (1988)"?


I thought the 2nd LP was kind of corny, especially compared to what I was listening to at the time, EPMD, Slick Rick, Biz etc.. Besides that, it was way to long, double album if i'm remembering right.

..Hip Hop record i ever bought. at the time Fresh prince of Bel Air was already on over here (1991). i was probably 13 and i loved that shit. it was funny and clever. rhymes, beatboxing, deejaying. it was so fly to me.

But He's the DJ Im the rapper is a better record imo. especially if you want to get into Jazzy Jeff as a DJ. Just for live at union square alone. But he gets crazy all over the second half of that album. Also Will, corny as he was, was rapping his ass off on that album, the title track comes to mind.

Cool. This is great insight. Thanks!