January 14, 2004
Photos: The Last Days of D&D
In a few weeks we will hit the one-year anniversary of a sad day in hip-hop, the closing of the legendary D&D studios. I was lucky enough to visit D&D just before it closed, and got a few pictures for the scrapbook.
I'd gotten an invite to a listening session for Gangstarr's new album, and expected the usual routine with label execs playing a CD for a bunch of industry heads, with the artist possibly stopping by and sitting on the side. Instead I walked in to find nothing but Guru and a couple of his friends sitting on a couch, watching TV. Guru looked up and said "Watsup, glad you could make it! There's some food in back if you want." Way more intimate vibe than I expected! It was like I got invited to Gangstarr's house for a sleepover.
Walking towards the kitchen, it felt like every inch of this place was suffused with hip-hop history. The room with the couches and TV was lined with platinum plaques from Illmatic and just about every other classic album of the last 15 years. Each wall in the next room was plastered with classic album covers, surrounding a worn-out pool table that you just knew all your heroes had played on. Across from the soda machine was a photo gallery with candid shots from inside the studio (like the one of KRS and Primo below), dating back to the early 80s when they catered mostly to reggae artists like Dennis Brown.
We came back to the couches (I was with fellow WBAI host Andrea Clarke) and watched videos with Guru, while a few heads from Power 105 filtered in. I'd heard horror stories about Guru but he was totally chill and friendly with us (the horror stories involved him being drunk off his proverbial ass, which word is he doesn't do anymore), and told lots of cute stories about his kid, who loves to rap along to Nas' "I Can", then pauses and says "Hey daddy... WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT BOY!?" (#1 Stunna style)
Eventually Premier came in and gave everybody a pound, and we all crowded into a tiny studio where Primo started pulling DATs out of a Duane Reade shopping bag, each of which contained a song from the new album. He made a little speech before each song, describing how each track was made and then veering off into musings on hip-hop philosophy. Some of the tracks were so new that Guru hasn't heard the finished product yet, and he nodded excitedly "I like how that one came out!"
Just to recap, at this moment I AM SITTING INSIDE D&D, AND DJ PREMIER IS SITTING RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, PLAYING HIS NEW SHIT FOR ME!!!! This was one of those times when it is incredibly cool to have a radio show.
Primo's friends were wandering in and out as it went on, and at one point we were sharing the space with Primo, Guru, Tony Touch, Craig G, Marley Marl, and Edwin "Rapper Dapper Snapper" Birdsong. The amount of hip-hop history cramped into this little room at that point was just insane.
I hate to sound like a Wonder Years voiceover, but sitting there with all these legends, listening to Primo speak of the traditions and "hip-hop codes" he strives to uphold, all the while knowing these hallowed halls were about to be closed down forever, it was hard not to feel like we were getting one final glimpse at hip-hop's golden age, before it faded into the sunset.
Anyway here are few pics:
click each thumbnail for the full size photo
Posted by jsmooth995 at January 14, 2004 03:56 PM
Posted by: pexdiggy at January 14, 2004 07:38 PM
That second, blurred shot of Premier is pretty crazy. Looks like whoever took the shot may have been passing around that blunt a little too long. ;)
Nice writeup. Wish I coulda been there.
Posted by: Dast at January 14, 2004 09:49 PM
damn. that sounds unreal, and also sad. great anecdote, though.
Posted by: Envious Guy at January 15, 2004 03:48 PM
WHY DID D&D STUDIOS CLOSED A YEAR AGO?
Posted by: MIRAGE at January 18, 2004 01:43 AM
The reasons why D&D closed is:
Many independent NY labels were closing down as record sales were on the decline. Rawkus, Tommy Boy, Loud and others.
Pro Tools made it easy to record in a closet and producers/labels were not going pay the rate D&D needed to stay open in Manhattan.
East Coast underground rap music stopped getting the radio play it once had due to radio stations limited playlists.
D&D was a great place to create music and vibe off other artists.
Posted by: Doug at January 31, 2004 06:11 PM
Damn. That's an end of an era. Many classics that I love were created there. I wonder what happened to all the equipment at D&D. Did Primo or Evil Dee get to take some relics such as mics or mixers home.
I would have liked to see Primo buy the place but it was probably too much money to maintain.
Posted by: quimby at February 4, 2004 03:43 AM
Dj premier recentlyy bought the D&D studios.
Great news!
Posted by: P at February 26, 2004 11:57 AM
After years of owning space where classic hip-hop was made, D&D Studios has closed its doors and is selling their state-of-the-art production equipment to the highest bidder.
The studio, best known for the "gritty" street sounds provided by in-house producer DJ Premier, was popular with The Notorious B.I.G, Evil Dee, Freddie Foxx, Gangstarr, Afu-Ra, Craig G, Jay-Z and host of other hip-hop celebrities. As such, the equipment provides a historical remnant for Hip-Hop enthusiasts and collectors.
Some of the most prized possessions being sold include:
Akai MPC 3000 Akai MPC 2000 Akai MPC 60 EMU SP-1200 Panasonic Dat Players Technic 1210 turntables Sure Microphones Baby Grand Piano
For a complete list and for more details on getting a piece of hip-hop history, email the D&D crew at dndrecords2003@hotmail.com.
Originally published at SOHH.co http://www.sohh.co
Posted by: Jonne at March 10, 2004 04:56 AM
Dear Dj Premier,
My name is Nathaniel Marryshow I'm a tremendous fan of your work always have been
for over a decade and more.The reason I'm sending this to you and only you is because I'm an artist.
I know you hear this alot and you're probably tired of niggas bugging you,but I'm the real thing fam.I have skills that need recognition.I can rap for real,plus I can do DanceHall Reggae because I'm Jamaican.But Hip-Hop's my expertise I swear on my 2 dauthers.You can ask anybody in Spring Valley,NY 10977 or better ask PeteRock and Marley Marl about the promo I did for Hot97's Future Flavors before the show ended 2yrs ago.I even opened for the actor Leon last yr in July at The Lion's Den in Manhatten.I've won countless talent shows and slayed every rapper in my path who even dared to start rhymin'w/out discretion or hesitation.I only deal with the elite and driven when it comes to music in all genres.For instance,2 of my good friends who reside out here in Rockland.Saigon and Blam were inducted in the Source's Unsigned Hype column awhile ago and I feel that I'm next because these 2niggas are my dogs and both are brutally honest and both of them desire my skills and potential and I stay battlin' both of them so I know I'm nice cause "I've never lost a freestyle or written battle ever".I don't mean to sound cocky,but truthfully God I'm what industry needs for real.I'd demolish these niggas man they ain't got nothin' for me.I got the lyrics street niggas thrive for truly.I've never heard those three words"You are wack" never and I believe I can create an impact in the game,I just need the proper guidance from someone who can relate to my lyrical potentcy "HARDCORE SPITTIN'" the only one who I believe in is Primo and I ain't dick ridin' at all.You're the F#$$ing illest in this line of work!These corny ass niggas need to take notes 4real.But on the real me & you literally can make beautiful music together all you gotta do is hear me out because I got this rap thing stretched out and you embody the essence of what hip-hop is supposed to sound like and to work with you is my goal and aspiration as a Lyricist.Give me a chance and you won't be disappointed.I'm a sureshot fam! I won't fail you!
Sincerely,
Nathaniel Marryshow aka Nigga Nate Onasis
1-845-942-8418
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Posted by: N56 at March 26, 2004 12:11 PM
Whats the deal Fam? I was wondering if its possible to get any interviews for our documentry? We are putting together a documentry of several artists whos made it in the industry or whos comming up whos representing that real hip hop.The documentry will be called "Sub-Tarrain".We' ve already interviewed such artists as Raekwon, Grand Daddy I.U., J Zone, J Love, DJ Mista Sinista, Daddy O, Steele, Jazzy Jeff, Schoolly D, Rock, Vast Aire and the Adams Fam, 4th Pyramid, Lord Finesse, Dana Dane, AG, Brix, DJ EL, DJ Craig G, Bigg Man, K. Dub, DJ Sabotage, Black Sheep, Minister Server, DJ Selfborn, Emmo, Thirstin Howl, Vinyl Junkies, Ghostface, Trife Diesel, El da Sensai, MF Grimm, Kurious, Mike G, Large Professor, Wonder Twinz, Dub L, T Max, Pete Rock, Krs One, Edo G, G.C., DJ Smooth Denali, Wordsworth, Kreators, Masta Ace, Bobbito, DJ Spinna, Mr Complex, T.Weaponz, Supreme, Sol Uprising, Tame 1 and the Boom Sqawd, Mikey D, Crayz Walz, DJ Js1, Rahzel, The Spooks and many more. This is more of a movement for the kids who dont really understand hip hop for what it is.We will have distribution. Please respond either way it would be appreciated. DJ STRESS
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Posted by: Dance Music Directory, DJ Web Sites, Dance Mixes at September 19, 2004 11:02 PM
HEY WHATS UP DJ PREMIER PLEASE SAY ME WERE I CAN FIND THE MOST GRATEFULL COMPILATION THE "REAL HIP HOP BEST OF D&D STUDIOS VOLUMEN ONE OR PLEASE SEND TO MY MAIL THE MP3 THE ! 1,2 PASS IT.TRACK PLESE SEND mE THAT...YOUR DEAR FAN from "CHILE" TO YOU (DJ CO2CO)
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anyways. that shit is tight. pretty gangsta chillin with primo and the d&d staff. Thouse pics are some classic shit. But alls well that ends well. gng aint really doin it like they were. im not hatin on em just they just aint hittin me with the bangers no more. but primos production is like a soft femine hand on my nuts. In my beats i try to rock the ol boom bap and he is the legend.
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