Video After The Jump
In this episode of "People's Party With Talib Kweli," Kweli and Jasmin Leigh sit down with Grammy-winning producer, emcee, and one of the founding members of the legendary D.I.T.C. aka Diggin' In The Crates crew --
DIAMOND D
Like Talib says from the jump, the name Diamond D and D.I.T.C. define what it means to be "Down By Law." During this interview, the longtime friends discuss Diamond D's deep contributions to the annals of hip-hop history. They get rolling by talking about Diamond D's early days -- growing up in the "Boogie Down" Bronx. Next, he discusses learning to DJ under the tutelage of Jazzy Jay. They go on to explore how the D.I.T.C. collective came together, the legacies of Big L and Fat Joe, Diamond's classic album "Stunts, Blunts & Hip Hop," the producers that embodied the 90's golden era sound, as well as the lost art of beat digging and the new art of "e-digging."
Later, Diamond gets into his connections and the work he's done with groups like Brand Nubian, A Tribe Called Quest, The Fugees, and more. He goes on to talk about his more recent work in the 'Diam Piece' album series, and the trio evaluates the best years of hip-hop and the albums that defined them.
TIME STAMPS:
2:30 -- Diamond is asked about his growing up in the Forest Houses projects of the Bronx, New York, and what it was about the Boogie Down that made it the ideal place for the birth of hip hop. They also talk about Diamond leaving the BX to live in Long Island while he was attending college, where he would DJ parties on the regular. They also discuss the challenges of playing music to a crowd that haven't heard it before, while keeping them engaged.
6:53 -- Diamond, Talib, and Jas discuss Diddy and his production team changing the game by their sampling of mega-hits. Puff's approach being such a departure from hip hop's long standing art of digging in the crates. They also talk about the eras that followed with Kanye breaking the rules by sampling the drums from other hip hop records, and go on to do some deconstruction of Diamond's classic album from '92, 'Stunts, Blunts, & Hip Hop'.
11:43 -- Diamond is asked about the early days of the D.I.T.C. collective. He gets into the domino like effect of each getting record deals consecutively, supporting each other along the way. D also digs into detail about the vision of Fat Joe, him being the gangster of the crew. Diamond notes the thing standing out about Joe the most being his passion for the culture. They also talk about why many producers also make some of the best emcees.
16:39 -- Talib brings up Big L and the legacy of hip hop excellence he left, before his untimely passing. The trio converse about the punch-line style of emceeing that L mastered, and became so well known for. They speak about his most iconic track with 'Ebonics', which turns into exploring the origin of the term, and how Big L made it official. The North Carolina hip hop trio Yaggfu Front, as well as Dougie Dee get a shout-out.
22:21 -- Talib and Diamond run down the list of producers that defined the 90's golden age hip hop sound. D is asked about his go-to beat machines that he's used during his illustrious career. He names some of his favorites, but states "It's not the equipment, it's what you do with it". They go on to talk about the skits that tied Diamond's 'Stunts, Blunt's & Hip Hop' album together, he's also asked about his sophomore effort 'Hatred, Passions and Infidelity', and they discuss D's Brand Nubian connection.
26:46 -- Diamond is asked if he could name off the best cities for digging, and if he wouldn't mind giving up a few of his favorite spots. D goes on to walk us through the process of digging, including reading the credits, looking for familiar musicians. He also gives his take on "e-diggin'" with many of today's producers choosing to download their beats online. Talib reminisces on being a young fan of D.I.T.C., and asks D if he can expand a little more on the evolution of the crew.
32:46 -- Diamond talks about his 'Diam Piece' album series, the first edition dropping in 2014. They talk about Talib's appearances on both one and part two, Talib explaining why he felt like he wanted to rewrite his verse, as well as why he's moved past the competitive phase of his career. Diamond also gets asked about some people's perceptions that real hip hop shouldn't be about flossing material items.
38:57 -- Diamond speaks on how he linked up with Q-Tip and A Tribe Called Quest. He explains how he met Tip at the studio to show him some beats for possible use on Tribe's 'Low End Theory', then Tip asking him to take Grand Puba's spot on 'Show Business' after Puba ruffled some feathers at Jive Records with his verse. Talib also expresses the honor of being a fan, then coming full circle and being featured on many of his idol's albums.
43:21 -- Diamond outlines how he ended up producing 'The Score' for the Fugees. He tells how Wyclef approached him, stating he was a fan of his work. Talib goes on to state his favorite years of hip hop, and the albums that defined them. They also discuss the shift to the ultra-polished hip hop of the early-2000's, and how the same ones that dissed it back then, are loving it today on account of it's nostalgia. Diamond also names off a few of his favorite artists on today's scene, and Talib asks D if he really left Large Pro's number on his dresser in reference to a verse on 'Freestyle (Yo, That’s That Sh*t)'.
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