March 21st – DJ Premier was born Christopher Edward Martin in Houston, Texas on this day in 1966.
Premier first came to prominence as one half of the legendary hip-hop duo Gang Starr with the late Guru a.k.a. Keith Elam.
Although not one of the original members of Gang Starr, DJ Premier recorded, produced and appeared on all six of Gang Starr’s albums.
Primo, as he is simply known in hip-hop circles, became one the most creative, successful and respected producers in the history of hip-hop.
He would go on to produce hit records for Jeru The Damaja, Biggie Smalls, Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Scarface, Mos Def, Kanye West, Fat Joe, Redman, Ghostface Killah, Snoop Dogg, metal/rap outfit Limp Bizkit and even pop singer Christina Aguilera.
In the early 1990’s he collaborated with legendary jazz saxophonist Branford Marsalis in a project called Buckshot LaFonque.
