Photo: Courtesy of DJ Prince

MP3: “The Boroughs” by DJ Prince

Blurb from YAMS:

“DJ Prince, we love you.” “We love you! We need you!” (These chants muster from that cerebellum of mine/d) Precisely seven days ago, upon opening and reading the notes in one of my email accounts, I was blessed with a “banger.” (See below for definition) Who was the sender? Yes, you have guessed it correctly – a great and close friend, Mr. (DJ) Prince, himself! Not only was I amazed – I knew that I needed to share what I received with everyone I know and will know ///// Boy, the sounds that were coming from my speakers reminded me of New York City – circa ‘95 [Hip Hop] – when shxt was live! I was ten years old, but who is rhetorically counting? In short, DJ Prince gave me new Hip-Hop… and now I am giving it you ^\_/^

GrungeCake: Prince, it has been nearly a year since the online world has heard anything from you as a rapper! Pardon me, but I’m a fan: Where the fxck have you been, baby?

DJ Prince: (Flattered) I’ve been laying low lately. ‘Really trying figure out my purpose in this music ish. I’ve been traveling and doing shows with up and coming groups like M1 Platoon, Kooley High and Film Skool Rejects. Meet a lot of people in the process and a lot of good music is being made.

GrungeCake: Getting into the new music, what was the inspiration behind making this record? As a native New Yorker, what made you want to create and release this record now?

DJ Prince: I feel like the New York sound has left New York. The grittiness and grimy sounds of 90′s Hip-Hop is what Cyrus and I was trying to bring back. Even though allot of my music is abstract; I wanted to challenge myself in writing to up-tempo hard-hitting bangers.

GrungeCake: “The Boroughs” embodies that early Hip-Hop groove that definitely gives me a chill. Do you miss this era? Will the rest of the tracks on MMMM personify similar treatment/s?

DJ Prince: I was looking through my 90′s Hip-Hop singles and it just took me back. The Hip-Hop sound has changed dramatically, (which is expected) but the vibe was so much better back then. “The Boroughs” makes me proud to be a New Yorker and to have a song to represent that was the goal. But yeah, every track on MMMM drop is a banger. I can’t wait till you guys hear it.

GrungeCake: For our new Hip-Hop generation, which sample was used in “The Boroughs”?

DJ Prince: The drums are Big Beat from “Billy Squire” and the hook is from Beastie Boys’ “Letter to 5 Boroughs.”

GrungeCake: How’d you team up w/ Cyrus Tha Great for the production?

DJ Prince: Cyrus and I actually went to school together. He heard the track I was working on “Mars” and remixed it. I thought the beat was crazy and we began working with each other since then.

GrungeCake: You are also a producer, yes? How long have you been producing? Which projects have you produced?

DJ Prince: Approximately, 3 years now. I’ve done a remix For Janelle Monae and tracks for FSR. I’m a real critic when it comes to my production so, I usually drop beat CDs. Hopefully, the sound will get out that way. I’ve been producing since 2006 when I did Tha Weirdos album. Since I’ve been working with other producers such as 9th Wonder, Cyrus, my man Vaughn and I’ve been sample searching lately. ‘Just really trying to master my own sound.

GrungeCake : You mention in the song that we aren’t repping it hard enough? Suggest a few things that we can do to rep harder.

DJ Prince: I think New York artist need to collaborate more — more which is what I’m trying to accomplish more of as a DJ. Us New Yorkers have huge egos and think we’re better than everyone else (which we are) but for real rep your city!

GrungeCake: You have also included Long Island and Yonkers in this record; places that usually aren’t mentioned in songs referencing New York City – what made you include these places?

DJ Prince: Word! Long Island doesn’t get enough credit. It bred EPMD, one of the illest groups Hip Hop groups to ever hit the scene. Keith Murray, Craig Mack, and Rakim. So, I’m just another cat repping L.I. Yonkers bred Mary. J Blige, DMX and The L.O.X. I felt these areas are equally important to Hip-Hop as any other borough would be.

GrungeCake: What’s next for DJ Prince?

DJ Prince: To infinity and beyond-er.