Gang Starr - "Full Clip"

This song, perhaps more than any other song this side of "T.R.O.Y." and "Put It On," simply oozes of that 90s underground New York hip hop sound.  Composed of DJ Premier (widely considered to be the greatest producer of all time) and legendary emcee Guru, Gang Starr released songs ranging from "Mass Appeal" to "Ex Girl to Next Girl" that remain staples of the genre.  This song goes out to Guru, who recently awoke from a coma after suffering a cardiac attack back on February 28th.  Here's to a speedy recovery for the legend.

Gang Starr - "Full Clip"

Group Home - "Supa Star" (prod. DJ Premier)

[Had to take a study break for my sanity.]

As good as Dr. Dre was in his prime and as innovative as Kanye is now, it's hard to form an argument against DJ Premier's place as the greatest producer of all time.  Premier, who samples primarily jazz, soul and funk songs, is known for his scratches that include samples of some of the best (and most obscure) lyrics from hip hop lore.  He has production credits on many of the holy texts of the genre.  From Nasty Nas' Illmatic and Jay's Reasonable Doubt to recent album such as Royce Da 5'9"'s Street Hop, Premier has consistently been the producer that the best lyricists (who can afford it) go to when they need a classic sound.