NPR Tiny Desk concerts are typically made for people who sing or rap. Occasionally, though, instrumentalists make their way through the Washington D.C. offices, and now DJ Premier — a seminal producer in hip-hop — has his own set.
Backed by a live band, Preemo and friends performed a slew of songs he’s produced, including, in order:
- KRS-One — “KRS-One Attacks”
- KRS-One –MC’s Act Like They Don’t Know”
- Das EFX — “Real Hip-Hop”
- Nas — “Nas Is Like”
- Jeru The Damaja — “Da Bichez”
- Gang Starr — “Step In the Arena”
- Gang Starr Feat. M.O.P. — “1/2 & 1/2″
- Royce Da 5’9″ — “Boom”
- Gang Starr — “Moment of Truth”
Premier provides scratches on the boards throughout, obviously, emceeing the event as well. It’s not often you get a DJ set — let alone a set this good — rolling through the Tiny Desk.
Watch the performance below.