The Show: DJ Premier

A look at how Premo has rocked the party over the years.

The Show: DJ Premier - As a DJ and producer, DJ Premier is known the world over for his head-nodding beats and seamless scratching. He's rocked clubs, TV shows and arenas as one half of Gang Starr and as a solo music maestro who is capable of turning listeners into fans. Here's a look at some of Preem's most momentous performances over the last 20 years.   (Photo: Jason Kempin/FilmMagic)

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The Show: DJ Premier - As a DJ and producer, DJ Premier is known the world over for his head-nodding beats and seamless scratching. He's rocked clubs, TV shows and arenas as one half of Gang Starr and as a solo music maestro who is capable of turning listeners into fans. Here's a look at some of Preem's most momentous performances over the last 20 years.   (Photo: Jason Kempin/FilmMagic)

Yo! MTV Raps (1992) - At the height of Gang Starr’s fame, Premo rocked a live audience on the groundbreaking music video show Yo! MTV Raps. Premier and his partner, Guru, join the rap duo Nice & Smooth to perform their classic hit, “Dwyk.”  (Photo: Apega/WENN.com)

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Yo! MTV Raps (1992) - At the height of Gang Starr’s fame, Premo rocked a live audience on the groundbreaking music video show Yo! MTV Raps. Premier and his partner, Guru, join the rap duo Nice & Smooth to perform their classic hit, “Dwyk.”  (Photo: Apega/WENN.com)

The Tonight Show (1992) - DJ Premier got a rare opportunity to teach before a Gang Starr performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The show’s host joined Premo on stage for an impromptu demonstration (and explanation) of hip hop DJing. “This is like talking drums, so to speak,” Premier explained to Leno. “What I’m doing is taking a record that’s already made… I can make it into rhythmic pattern along with another record.”   (Photo: Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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The Tonight Show (1992) - DJ Premier got a rare opportunity to teach before a Gang Starr performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The show’s host joined Premo on stage for an impromptu demonstration (and explanation) of hip hop DJing. “This is like talking drums, so to speak,” Premier explained to Leno. “What I’m doing is taking a record that’s already made… I can make it into rhythmic pattern along with another record.”   (Photo: Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Jam Master Jay Tribute (2003) - The 2003 BET Awards honored slain Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay with an all-star mix-off, which included Kid Capri, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Grandmaster Flash and DJ Premier, who opened the set with a scratch-tastic mix of the classics “Sucker MCs” and “Jam Master Jay.” (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

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Jam Master Jay Tribute (2003) - The 2003 BET Awards honored slain Run-DMC DJ Jam Master Jay with an all-star mix-off, which included Kid Capri, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Grandmaster Flash and DJ Premier, who opened the set with a scratch-tastic mix of the classics “Sucker MCs” and “Jam Master Jay.” (Photo: Scott Gries/Getty Images)

Rap Warrior - DJ Premier watches the rap quartet while methodically dropping the proper beat to make sure these dudes maximize their performance and synergy.   (Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

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Goodbye to Fat Beats (2010) - When famed hip hop music store chain Fat Beats closed its doors in New York City, it threw a jam with DJ Premier at the musical helm. The Texas-born mixologist, while cutting up hits and classics, also paid tribute to Guru, who’d recently died of cancer at the age of 48. (Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

Photo By Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage

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Conducting the Berklee Symphony Orchestra (2011) - For the music video series Re-Generation, Preem steps out of his hip hop DJ comfort zone. Not only does he conduct the renown Berklee Symphony Orchestra, but mixes down the recorded performance into a beat, which iconic rapper Nas blesses with a rhyme. 

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Conducting the Berklee Symphony Orchestra (2011) - For the music video series Re-Generation, Preem steps out of his hip hop DJ comfort zone. Not only does he conduct the renown Berklee Symphony Orchestra, but mixes down the recorded performance into a beat, which iconic rapper Nas blesses with a rhyme. 

BET's Cypher - Any fan of BET's Hip Hop Awards will, hands down, agree: one of the highlights of the ceremony is the Cypher. But more than seeing what sick verse your favorite rapper will spit, it's always an event to hear what beat Premo will cut up for the MCs.  (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup) 

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BET's Cypher - Any fan of BET's Hip Hop Awards will, hands down, agree: one of the highlights of the ceremony is the Cypher. But more than seeing what sick verse your favorite rapper will spit, it's always an event to hear what beat Premo will cut up for the MCs.  (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup) 

The Kolexxxion (2012) - To celebrate the release of his collaboration with rapper Bumpy Knuckles's (a.k.a. Freddie Foxx) The Kolexxxion, DJ Premier threw a memorable jam at Manhattan's Highline Ballroom. Partygoers were treated to a must-see performance of Preem backing a performance between Bumpy and '90s hip hop vet O.C.  (Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

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The Kolexxxion (2012) - To celebrate the release of his collaboration with rapper Bumpy Knuckles's (a.k.a. Freddie Foxx) The Kolexxxion, DJ Premier threw a memorable jam at Manhattan's Highline Ballroom. Partygoers were treated to a must-see performance of Preem backing a performance between Bumpy and '90s hip hop vet O.C.  (Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

Honoring Grandmaster Flash (2012) - As DJ at the Global Spin Awards, Premier helped celebrate the career of DJ Grandmaster Flash, joining legendary DJs Scratch and DJ Cash Money in a high-powered scratch mix.  (Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

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Honoring Grandmaster Flash (2012) - As DJ at the Global Spin Awards, Premier helped celebrate the career of DJ Grandmaster Flash, joining legendary DJs Scratch and DJ Cash Money in a high-powered scratch mix.  (Photo: Maury Phillips/WireImage)

Battling Pete Rock (2013) - In a three city tour that was sure to pull crowds and blow minds, DJ Premier recruited hip hop producing giant Pete Rock for a battle royale. But, ultimately, the duel became less of a battle and more a high-octane DJ show.   (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

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Battling Pete Rock (2013) - In a three city tour that was sure to pull crowds and blow minds, DJ Premier recruited hip hop producing giant Pete Rock for a battle royale. But, ultimately, the duel became less of a battle and more a high-octane DJ show.   (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)