Posted on 06/10/2007

Newsflash!! A DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince reunion is just a matter of time, according to "Jazzy" Jeff Townes in a recent phone interview. "The desire is there. It has to be the right timing. With Will being one of the biggest movie stars in the world, it's hard to find the time. If the time is there, I'm there," said Jazzy Jeff Townes in a recent phone interview.

Even with that tidbit of wonderful news, the pioneering Jazzy Jeff has more pressing concerns, like his solid, "Golden Age"- leaning new album, "The Return of the Magnificent". On the eve of touring and promoting this album, Jeff took the time to break down the making of "The Return," Jean Grae's work ethic, as well as the Allen Iverson trade from his beloved Sixers.

Kiddies born after 1984, please pay attention. If you think all dude is famous for is being thrown out of Uncle Phil's house on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,"  then you're like the guy  who wears his brown MCM outfit with a pair of blue-on-red Troop Sneakers: dead wrong.

Put away your Lil' Wayne stickers and your T-Mobile sidekicks, young-uns. You're about to read about one of the greatest DJ's in the history of Hip-hop, whose new album proves that he is as relevant in '07 as he was in 1987.

OKP: What is life like for DJ Jazzy Jeff?

JJ: I'm traveling 70 percent of the time on the road and performing. My life is either 100 miles per hour or zero. When I'm home I cool out and watch movies and fall asleep.

OKP: Can you talk about that skit on you're album? The "Where's Will Smith at?" skit.

JJ: Will kind of came up with the suggestion to make it a joke. We would always laugh at the questions people would ask me. So what we decided to do is make an ongoing skit.

OKP: In making "The Return of the Magnificent," was there pressure to top "The Magnificent?"

JJ: I don't think I thought about it. In recording the album I ended up moving into a new house. I was so focused on moving into my workspace. When I put "The Return of the Magnificent" EP on I Tunes people were responding. I was like ‘Oh shit, people are making comments.' I wanted to make a record like "The Magnificent" and step it up.
I didn't want to go left field with it.

OKP: On the new album you worked with artists like Rhymefest, Method Man and Jean Grae. Are there any stories that you have about working with these artists?

JJ: It wasn't so much stories, it was an experience more than anything. Rhymefest coming down and staying in the guest room. I would cook grub and we'd watch a movie. Rhymefest came two or three times.  Meth stayed for two days. I played Jean Grae 10 beats and she wrote four songs and two hours. Kardinall (Offishall) came through. I wanted that one-on-one time to vibe with the people before working with them. They would record in my studio and I would cook them some grub.

OKP: What would you cook for them?

JJ: Some chicken, some spaghetti, some barbecue.  

OKP: Okay, we talkin' ‘bout practice. Who came up with the idea for the sample for "Practice"?

JJ: J-Live gave me the idea. He had a song that had the whole practice concept.  He actually cut the practice record to a different beat.  I just did the beat and took his vocals. It fit perfectly.

OKP: Were you hurt when the Sixers traded Iverson to the [Denver] Nuggets?

JJ: Absolutely. To me it was for the betterment of the Sixers and for the betterment of him. It's like losing your girlfriend. You let her go because you didn't treat her right, so she can be with somebody else who would. You let her go but it still hurts.

OKP: Back to the record. There were some familiar samples used. We're you trying to make a nostalgic record?

JJ: My whole vibe from this record is nostalgic. I try to be what you don't have. ‘Let me play some old shit you ain't heard in a while. Let me try to make this record you haven't heard in 10 years'. I just tried to make a record that was the alternate of what's out there.

OKP: Speaking of what's out there, do you have an issue with the Hip-hop on the radio?

JJ: I don't mind what's out there. It's just that, what's out there is the only thing out there. All you hear is one thing. I'm not bashing the south. If one person likes it, it deserves to be there. But it's the only thing out there. People want something different. The state of Hip-hop has a lot to do with the people who control it. They treat it like a business. Hip-hop is the new stock market. They're going to push whatever stock is hot. They don't have love for the music. If the 50 Cent stock is hot, they're going to push that. I miss the old days. We made records cause that's what we liked to do.

OKP: You've accomplished a lot in Hip-hop, being in a group who won the first Grammy in Hip-hop, talk about "Summertime," the song you made with Will Smith. How do you feel about being a part of the most recognizable songs in Hip-hop history?

JJ: They play "Summertime" the most when the season changes. I wait every year to see if they won't play it.

OKP: Have you had time to sit back and reflect on all you've accomplished?

JJ: I don't think I'm finished yet. I'll always move forward. I'm going to have enough time to sit back and reflect on the award.

 

- A. Tacuma Roeback