Friday, February 1, 2013

Rap Treat #102: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince Mixtape (1986)




Heads know... Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince were a two-man wrecking crew. Jeff's innovative cutting and scratching and the charismatic Fresh Prince's boisterous emcee-ing style were both unique and well-respected. This mix features the two pioneers trading cuts and rhymes throughout. There's also some live beats straight out of a TR-808 (or 909?). The link says 1985, but based on the instrumentals the duo use, I'd say 1986. Jeff won the New Music Seminar DJ battle in 1986, so perhaps this was recorded before that. 

Beats include Joe Ski-Love's "The Peewee Herman," Beastie Boys "Hold It Now, Hit It," and Whistle's "Just Buggin" among others. And Jazzy Jeff destroys LL's "Rock the Bells." Not the greatest quality but well worth the listen. Historic. Download the mix below.

DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince
Mixtape (1986)