With over three decades in the rap game and counting, DJ Premier has become undisputedly one of the most acclaimed and respected hip-hop producers of all time.
As it turns out, the veteran producer, who has worked with countless artists throughout his lengthy career, learned how to play the drums from none other than Travis Scott’s father.
Breakfast Club | DJ Premier
During a recent appearance on the Rap Radar podcast, Premier reflects on the little-known fun fact, explaining the backstory to hosts Elliott Wilson and B. Dot.
Promo shares that while he was growing up in Texas, he became close with Scott’s father, Jack, and uncle, Travis, with the three all convening together after school to play music.
“[Jack’s] mom was my English teacher and she’s one the flyest people in my neighborhood to this day, Mrs Webster,” Premo begins. “They were the first to have everything in our neighborhood, they were the first ones with a pool table, first ones with a VCR. I was like ‘damn they can record Soul Train and play them.’”
He then explains how Scott’s relatives taught him how to play drums and bass.
“As I got older, like a teenager, Jack and Travis was always playing drums and bass in the house, so they taught me how to play drums and bass,” he admits. “Travis taught me how to play, [who] is Travis Scott’s uncle, bass, and Jack taught me drums. That’s how I really got into…that’s a lot that had something to do with my production style to this day.”
Talk about a small world. See DJ Premier reflecting on how Travis Scott’s father taught him how to play drums in the clip below, and listen to the episode in full via TIDAL.