So Wassup? Episode 51 | Gang Starr - "Brainstorm"

In episode 51, DJ Premier takes us through the process of how "Brainstorm", from Gang Starr was created.
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#SoWassup

[@music4allpeople627]

Gang Starr should be on the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME!!!!!!

[@hermit_lang_5563]

I remember being so stuck on Daily Operation back then, but my grade school homie kept telling me "Yo, the new album is dope too!" When i finally got a listen i realized he was right! 😂

[@Bishopspipes]

Sounds like a beat Public Enemy would’ve rocked over back in the day

[@mrbdx]

“You’re vote may hold the key! It’s up to you, yes it’s true, tell me, who be herb of the day!”🔥

[@StandAloneCorleone]

As soon as I saw the title of this vid, those lines came to my mind when thinking of this song👍🏽RIP Guru

[@penagon24]

I love that part!

[@gravityacademyrecordsoffic3828]

The drum programming on this beat blew my mind. The pattern and all the noises were crazy sci fi. Plus lyrically Guru snapped. This song had me singing the herb of the day part at mad random times. Hype to watch this episode.

[@CultureKingVisual]

Absolootly!

[@rbiznezz2]

Ironically, it’s a loop … a dope ass loop … iykyk…

[@AQuestionofCharacter]

He fucking answered my age old question of why the song fades out while he's rapping lol. This episode is one of the greatest....god this beat is one of the most creative pieces of aural art ever created.

[@AQuestionofCharacter]

BTW-- This is what Guru was singing on that "Your vote may hold the key" part. Start @:14 - kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5vHnXqBl82VrK8

[@dannybx78]

"So i'ma take dough from em/And then son em/Teach em how to really get biz like this". - Guru (R.I.P.)

[@lukrativ0922]

Dj premier is the greatest producer of all time.

[@samjones4327]

Must respect and thanks Preem. Brainstorm has always been my favorite cut on this masterpiece. Aiight Chill

[@trdraper]

Senior year 1994,bought this on a school trip 2 D.C....

[@Beatmakinmc]

This song means so much to me. 2009, my group at the time, Mob Zombie sampled that open drop, "Me & my gangs gonna swarm". This was myspace days and GURU was doin shows with someone we'll leave out... BUT, they had an open call to open for them in Las Vegas, I submitted our song with the sample knowing it could be risky... He fuct with it! We got to open for GURU at Club Moon at The Palms in Vegas. Thank you PREEMO for this whole youtube series and everything you do to keep GANG STARR legacy alive and strong. This whole HARD TO EARN album is a true classic. It is funny to realize my fav album has no songs for the ladies just raw beats and rhymes. SALUTE TO THE FLOPPY DISC! - Phil A

[@marcgordon9258]

I'm Glad Premier & Dj Kenny Parker Have KZbin Channels ✌🏾

[@aestheticprospectiv]

Hold up, I didn’t know Kenny Parker Had a show?! What!?!?!

[@marcgordon9258]

@@aestheticprospectiv It's Here On KZbin Look For Dj Kenny Parker 🤞🏾✌🏾🤙🏾❗

[@MiraculousEntertainment]

@@aestheticprospectiv I just ran across it for the first time today myself.

[@phillipwattsjr.4714]

3:24--Critics do that sometimes. They listen to artists long enough and start thinking they have them all figured out. With Pete Rock, it was, "He always puts HORNS in everything!" With Erick Sermon and Dr. Dre, it was "He puts P-Funk/Zapp samples in everything!" With J-Dilla, it was, "He always puts HANDCLAPS in everything!"

[@RealSurfStories]

Facts P. They always gotta try to put it in a box. Cannot do that when one is MULTI DIMENSIONAL 🆙

[@Understeerking]

I first heard this song in 1998 when I was in the 4th grade. As soon as I heard the scratching and that sample, I was hooked. Brainstorm is my favorite track by Gang Starr.

[@BlackDrac82]

Saw Gangstarr in Australia in 04 and he did that exact same thing when he dropped Brainstorm, crowd went nuts

[@tecpaocelotl]

I loved the jazz samples. Most DJ were using r&b, funk and/or soul during that time. Brainstorm, in my mind, I imagine a dance battle between 2 people.

[@thecunninlynguist]

this an underrated joint

[@williamhernandez3201]

I hope he does "Got To Get Over" off the Tresspass sdtrk. Some time soon.

[@praheightsixty8110]

You mean Trespass?

[@KayGeee86]

This live video was insane! Wish I were there back then, cause there were no fuckin cellphones, nothing but sweat, joy and havin a good time, which last forever in your mind and soul! Thx Preemo ✌

[@eddiethetruhead]

Brainstorm is definitely one of the hardest joints Primo has ever cooked up for us.🔥💾🔥 GURU was goin off gettin buck on ducks!🔥 Absolute Gangstarr Banger.🔊 Mad props to DJ Premier and RIP to the one and only Gifted Unlimited Rhymes Universal.🎤🔥 Salute the floppy Y’all. Peace.🔥💾🔥🎤🔥💾🔥🎤🔥💾🔥🎤🔥🔊🔥

[@moparguymb628]

Hard to earn Is my favorite hip hop album of all time and brainstorm is my favorite track on that album.I might sound crazy but I put this album right up there with illmatic.

[@thedjresident]

Always loved the drums on this. I also appreciate the fact that Preem didn't reveal the source of those drums (and no one snitched on WhoSampled). I remember digging one night back in like 2004-05 and stumbled across the break. Had the joint for years, but skipped over it in the crate. Never would have expected it to be there. Anyone else know the record, no snitching...reference the interlude between Royalty and Above The Clouds...

[@Syckwun]

Fuck can you DM id love to know. As a producer I love them so much lol. Take my word. I won’t snitch it online or to who sampled hah. Would make my day

[@Weatherman477]

Brainstorm was always one of my favorites. The drums were so different for the time. Guru snapped with his rhymes and the sample was way ahead of it’s time. Thank you this Premo.

[@lilitulee]

These episodes are legit a blessing to get to watch 👌

[@gregalfred8916]

@DJPremier: You lost your whole entire shit on this track. This album, but this SONG itself, made me a permanent GangStarr and Preemo fan. Respect for taking time to explain your process!

[@CoreyRossArt]

is there is a way to get all of those disk on a wall or walls preferably at an art gallery? the different colors of the disk mixed with the different colors of marker used to write on the disks would make an amazing display. respect to the legends.

[@OBDPVCR]

HARD TO EARN is my FAVORITE ISH & this joint goes HARD AF!!! The scratching of "Get On it!" and Gurus CRAZY bars on this "Burn out ya eyeballs and leave a note in braile..." BLESS UP PREEMO!!!!! Underground will live FOREVER!!!!!

[@grinchoi1]

One of the most slept on Gang Starr songs!!!

[@WhoTheHellIsHarvy]

Preemo sweating just talking about the production process. Imagine how much they sweat actually doing it all. These guys are gods.

[@kingmichaelcoy]

This is my favorite gangstarr song when I wanna feel like I wanna kick teeth out I listen to THIS. Premier got this one all the way right

[@manhbx96]

I honor and salute DJ Premier RIP Guru

[@deanivan3951]

One of my favs!

[@wolverineweaponx6304]

Preemo is the G.O.A.T 🐐🔥

[@WhoTheHellIsHarvy]

Boxes and boxes and boxes of stories. Keep going through them Preemo, the human personification of hip hop. Hard to explain the impact of Gang Starr, they helped raise me haha Thank you Premier & Guru for all the life lessons and bangers you've gifted the world.

[@RealSurfStories]

The soundtrack of our lives. So many bangers but this era was PRIME TIME PRIMO. Appreciate you 💯

[@rafallmyself]

OG I told you this was my favorite track personally... Love you

[@lordfinesseclansince96]

One of my favourite songs 💯

[@milesbachelor8747]

Group Home - Livin Proof. Takes me back every time. Supa Star specifically

[@markprice1617]

I always remembered "Gangstarr" as ONE word, now it's 2. Mandela Effect?? 🤔

[@greenleaf504]

One of my favourite GangStarr albums and tunes. I saw y'all in 99 on that tour with RATM in New Orleans and still to this day, it's one of my favourite shows I've been to. The energy that night was next level. Much love to Preemo and RIP Guru. We just like roaches, never dying, always living.

[@greenleaf504]

Also, one of the COLDEST lyrics ever: "I'm gonna getcha. You might be bigger than me so I'ma wetcha. Coming to your house to douse it with a Molotov cocktail. I won't fail. Burn out your eyeballs and leave a note in braile." COLD BLOODED.

[@coolpoete]

This album is just.. I don't know how to describe it.. The definition of GangStarr. My all time favorite. If you never heard them before and wanted to know what they were all about, it would be this album... IMO...

[@smokemystogies9063]

Its peak gang starr my personal fav is either moment of truth or daily operation but yeah hard to earn is on some other shit, fucking every song is an all time great

[@Blueblackngold]

I’ll never get tired of these

[@dacrookedi]

This was my JOINT!!! Loud and obnoxious, that's what made it so DOPE. I would really like to see a video about "Check the Technique" My ALL TIME Favorite Gang Starr Song. Infact Gang Starr is My Favorite Group PERIOD.

[@P-DUBZduharte]

🔥🔥🔥🔥R.I.P. GURU

[@jermanecrumbley2662]

PREAM TEAM 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥

[@raintorust7162]

One of my favourite Gang Starr records. I like the fade out idea but I always wanted to hear the rest of Guru's final verse. That verse is totally totally BRUTAL. Hopefully one day we will get to hear it uncut.

[@aestheticprospectiv]

Thank you for this request Preemo!!

[@urbanlady1.]

I remember when Guru was my neighbor in Clinton Hill. Very nice and down to earth guy.

[@codejohnson]

The structure and content of the episodes are much improved. The information shared is deeper and highly empowering for die-hard Gang Starr fans like us. There is much more "crab meat" here than from the floppy disc-centered narrative. Good looking out Prem for this.

[@scienz]

Gangstarr is the best workout music. Perfect rhythm for weight and calisthenics sets

[@Yaooosteve]

Guru’s flow on that beat was 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@tochiRTA]

this song is aight. I can see why I never really f*cked with it. But that's the thing I always loved about Preemo - even his 'lesser' beats to me always showed inspiration.

[@jasperhaggins2390]

Aight ? You must don't care for cause it's unordidox

[@tochiRTA]

@@jasperhaggins2390 fam. you can't use the word 'unorthodox' if you can't spell it.

[@jasperhaggins2390]

@@tochiRTA it was from me typing to fast but you knew what I meant smart ass

[@stansteez]

"Brainstorm" is one of my all-time favorites as well. GURU's voice was so dope on this album and on Jazzmatazz Vol I.

[@Crs313]

I've said it b4 & I'll say it again these stories are everything. Thank u preemo for this. Love this series. If I had to ask or suggest a song to do which I love all of them u have done but it was brought to my attention the breakdown of this particular joint & its amazing. The song is mathematics with mos def or Yasin bey now but off the black on both sides lp. Great idea for a song. Love

[@cmdeeqtee7057]

GANG STARR has been my favorite since the day I heard NO MORE MR. NICE GUY remix on the radio 1 night after school. Broke as can be at 14yrs old, I went to the record store and made my first record store purchase ever which was GANG STARR - POSITIVITY single with NO MORE MR. NICE GUY remix on the B side. I made copies for my friends and often recited the lyrics walking with the crew and other friends until they asked me "What song is that?" Andy was a DJ in training unbeknown to me at the time. He asked for a copy of the single and I made him a copy. He liked it so much he asked his mother for money to buy the album NO MORE MR. NICE GUY on vinyl. He later surprised me with the original version of my favorite song of all time: NO MORE MR. NICE GUY album version. I ALMOST LOST MY MIND, I WAS SO EXCITED DJ PREMIER USED MY FAVORITE SAMPLE ON THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF MY FAVORITE SONG! That is BEYOND luck. I knew GOD was looking out for me for sure if I ever had doubts.

[@dinogoldie9716]

How come Guru's vocals were faded out like that? Is there a version where his lyrics and the song have a more satisfying definite conclusion?

[@diggindan1498]

Yeah that's a real good question🤔

[@bertschumacher2097]

Thank you for what you've meant to hiphop. You deserve all the credit that has come to you. Keep it real and kicking.

[@relloe29]

That track will always send my mind 2 another place.

[@Kooltonelove]

You need to play the beat through the mpc so we can hear it coming straight from the floppy

[@djpham1]

I used to spin at these breaking battles in Chicago and the breakers loved Brainstorm

[@JoosemanCripple]

Maaaan.....,I love this fucking track.

[@jaywhat1987]

I could listen to Preemo for hours and hours. Thanks Sir for all you have done and keep doing for Hip-hop culture and more. You are the G.O.A.T. ! Salute to you and the floppy disk ! Greetings from France, with love !

[@unicron8soundwave724]

"Galactic & space sounds" 👾

[@mikeobryant3367]

You're my all time favorite producer...hands down. Damn I miss Guru. Glad I found your channel.

[@GranstaTube]

80’s fast beats flow all the life !!!

[@patrickbyrne5070]

Preem will be legend forever

[@mothedon3599]

Keep dropping those Gangstar stories. Step in the arena, Daily Operation, And Hard to Earn got me through high school

[@izbro8659]

Can't wait for this one! 🙌🏻 Brainstorm 🔥🔥🔥

[@oldude73]

Brainstorm is one of my favorites without any bassline.

[@IdealtheWrapper]

'Zing' always gave me that ball bearing on an anvil vibe.

[@derrickwebb7230]

Blessing the heads with historical music. I miss the golden age

[@ProfessionalSinnerzTV]

i would love to see episodes for Let em Know with Bun B and WOW with Yelawolf and Royce!

[@rogermoore27]

DJ Premier IS the Guru in these videos

[@turnstyle518]

RIP GURU 🙏 DJ Premier for president

[@danielristovdr]

Dude who requested is such a cutie :)

[@danielristovdr]

And you too P, I love it when people speak in high tones of their own work but still sound like a sweet and humble person at the same time - we can see you just love the music 💜

[@DocSkribblez]

I always thought that beat sounded like it was made from the laundromat haha! The scientifical of Preemo’s madness!!!

[@scienz]

intro skit on Hard to Earn is the greatest intro of all time

[@pentagramparsons]

Brainstorm! One of my favorite tracks EVER - fingers crossed for Screwball "Seen It All" next

[@verseessential]

This is the best show to watch on youtube PERIOD.

[@thebigswermdiggs3383]

Yooooooooo probably my favorite joint because I get a different kind of ampness out of this . INSANE!!!!!!

[@houarisifaoui1131]

This is my favourite song

[@sarkysark]

Premier is the best. THE BEST!

[@ebsuede]

That Beat And The Scratches Are Perfect One Of My Favorites Oh And I Can't Forget The Aight Chill Interlude Just Pure Hip Hop Classic

[@LeroybrownLR3mk02]

Used to LOVE playing Brainstorm at the club when I did a hip hop night back in the day. SO TUFF.

[@dogsandyoga1743]

That live version was ill af!

[@MrPSWAYS]

Gangstarr 4 Life 👑 👑 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥

[@UndergroundRap4eva]

When I hear this beat it just reminds me of when Ripley was trying to escape the planet before it went nuclear in Aliens. Just a rush with like alarms in the background trying to escape. Such an original classic. Nice episode. Shoutout to all my Real Hip-Hop Headz out there still keeping the culture alive.

[@Since75]

The fade out is epic. Glad to know the history behind it.

[@jdovma1]

The talk: "Preem only uses jazz samples." Actuality: "Preem obliterates jazz samples like no one else can." I'd love to know who the dipshits saying that like it's some kind of critique was.

[@frankmathews1358]

i like how he keeps it short and sweet. Great content.

[@jayfreedom1592]

My favorite show! So What's up?! Tnx Preemo for breaking down those stories of the process of making this classics. It's hard to choose a Gangstarr favorite album..there's so many!!

[@oskamadison]

Brainstorm is ill but the joint I wish he'd do from Hard To Earn (which he probably won't because it's not one of his more popular joints) is Speak Ya Clout, three hard ass beats on one joint...

[@MFBloosh]

As a 30 year old who produces as a hobby, I can't even imagine the headache of having to record everything onto tape, and having to pay for all of that equipment, too, just to be able to get a start in the industry. So much respect for how shit was done back then. The tools haven't really changed much as far as MPCs etc go, but the change to digital makes everything 1000x easier on us. If I want to sample something, I can just go to KZbin, get the URL of the song, and download it. That's it. It almost feels like cheating lol.

Hard to earn is their first and only darkest hardcore hip hop LP of all time

[@canibusnj]

Preemo in his prime! 💯

[@thomasschweda5104]

DJ Premier is the best.

[@Phanthomaas]

AY shout-out to keeping the community clocked-in, real dope !

[@wwjnz9263]

I had to pause the video when the guy mentioned the drums. I found that sample a loooooooong time ago! I couldn't believe my ears when I heard it. Premier did it justice though... But yeah. I know where the originals came from. Finding that sample is what got me into making beats.😁

[@hoopdr3amz23]

The sound of this 1 was incredible well all of them leveled up on each album

[@Gosdatwork]

One of my favs too Preeme love it love it love it.