So Wassup? Episode 54 | The Notorious B.I.G. - "Ten Crack Commandments"

In episode 54, DJ Premier takes us through the process of how "Ten Crack Commandments", from The Notorious B.I.G. was created.
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#SoWassup

[@NotoriousOnline]

Thank you to the legendary *DJ Premier* for breaking down the historic timeline of this iconic track. Props to Jeru and Biggie for mending the tension and coming together as young wise men to make history together on Biggie's classic *Life After Death* album. Rest in peace *Christopher Wallace* aka *Notorious B.I.G.* 👑

[@UncleBenjs]

Check your spelling

[@ikbalkenazi4721]

I did not know they were arguing are beefing but if they settled it, then this was good for hip hop. Jeru is from the same borough as Biggie. That city has so many memorable rappers!

[@tpendergrass2302]

Classic track we still bump to this day. It's has aged so well! RIP BIGGIE!

[@StrangeDeranged]

​@@UncleBenjs Nah.. You check yours.

[@UncleBenjs]

@@StrangeDeranged He didn't spell preemo's name correctly. Which spelling of mine needs correcting? None ofc. Get the fuck out of here you fool

[@77Olusegun]

“So Wassup” has to be one of the best ideas ever on KZbin, in my opinion. And Preemo has to be the best hiphop story teller that isn’t a MC. 💯

[@dr.madthumbz2689]

Hottest series on the net imo

[@UndergroundRap4eva]

What'd be dope is if some of the artists actually came on to discuss their part in the episode. But we all know there ain't many who remember their humble beginnings and would want to charge a dime because everything's about money nowadays. That's why I appreciate Preemo doing this shit for free. That's Hip-Hop 💯

[@cwrichardson3]

Yeah... please keep your opinion to yourself

[@TMNation]

Facts . I enjoy every episode

[@terrellgrant1570]

Agreed 👍🏿

[@9londoncalling]

Prem is so complimentary of all the people he has worked with no matter how big or small their part was, talent,humble but most of all the man is class.

[@MrMaddzkillz]

Woooow… Jeru couldah blocked this from ever ending up on Life After Death, but “It’s hiphop, give it to Big. That’s the homie.” That right there really touched my heart. 🔥

[@Polostar79]

Jeru deserves a plaque for that alone.

[@hip2thabone_da_sticky1]

Who does that nowadays? He was beefing with B.I.G but still put his own differences aside for the culture he really represents. Don't see anybody in this game ever doing that. Jeru is truly a *PROPHET* !

[@JamesSmith-ov5um]

@@Polostar79 and back pay

[@UndergroundRap4eva]

He said it in One Day. He took hip-hop from Puffy and gave it back to the people.

[@Polostar79]

@@JamesSmith-ov5um agreed. Puff definitely should cut him a middle man check.

[@dannybx78]

"Ten Crack Commandments" had people everywhere bopping their heads back in '97, no doubt.

[@mrbdx]

This is the sample Chuck D sued the record company over for using his voice on a song about selling drugs.

[@itjustyouraveragecanadian9604]

Chuck D didn't sue himself

[@Klos1neMN]

​@@itjustyouraveragecanadian9604 How would Chuck be suing himself? Chuck wasn't on the Bad Boy record label.

[@laemotica8405]

I just looked the lawsuit up on LexisNexis. Chuck D was one of the two plaintiffs in for both the copyright claim and the defamation of character. He asked for at least $2 million for copyright and at least $250K defamation. The lawsuit was settled with him and the other plaintiff. The settlement was not made public, but the suit looks very strong. I would not be surprised if he got close to the full amount. So, he absolutely sued and retained his own lawyer for his interests in the suit.

[@Klos1neMN]

@@laemotica8405 Thanks for posting this, it was insightful. I like when people don't just talk the talk, they actually research and give some real info.

[@soundgrounding]

Here’s Chuck addressing this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4OUeYqVa691edk

[@nigelasipa4150]

Actually sucks that he’s not here. This song slaps so hard. Thank you Jeru, Angie and Preemo

[@HaddyD]

ARE YOU KIDDING?!! If anyone deserves a Diamond plaque, it’s DJ Premier, the most humble fucking legend in hip-hop who gives props and shoutouts to EVERY single person involved in making his classics! Get this man his plaque, a ceremony, and a fucking bag of money!

[@MFBloosh]

It's amazing how many iconic and legendary songs Premo produced without ever having to give up his classic boom bap sample choppin' dope ass drum smackin' style. When you hear a Premo beat, you know it's him. Rap Phenomenon is a MUST for this series, too. One of my favorite Bigge songs. Meth and Red killed it.

[@jdovma1]

Shout to Jeru for a being a real one. I hope we can one day get another Preem produced album from him. That's a recipe that should have never been fucked with.

[@reylopez8433]

One Day? 😏

[@tochiRTA]

@@reylopez8433 🤣

[@Wookash11111]

Nah. He fell off. It's too late for another collab like this.

[@scienz]

yes! Jeru on Primo is so top notch. This is what we need. Not another Royce and Primo album!

[@scienz]

​@@Wookash11111 He did not fall off. A grade A emcee needs a grade A producer to make grade A music.

[@zncuentertainment712]

I can't wait to hear some Blaq Poet/Screwball, Bumpy Knuckles, OC stories. With such an untouchable catalogue and a memory of every detail, I hope these episodes continue for years to come.

[@stephnash4637]

Likewise 💯

[@alexanderperez7604]

​@@stephnash4637 💯

[@dyetone]

Blaq Po for sure!!!!!!

[@danteerskine7678]

@@dyetone I'm waiting for 'I Luv' from MOP FT Freddie foxxx Prod by Preemo

[@tochiRTA]

@@danteerskine7678 that beat is insane

[@maitreulysse]

I may be one of the only guys from France to care about your "So Wassup?" series but yo, man, I became fluent in english listening to hip-hop records, mainly DJ Premier joints. Preemo you're clearly the GOAT when it comes to producing. Knowledge, wisdom, understanding. Shout out to the floppy disk, peace

[@headnod]

France is such a great HipHop nation, I think there are quite some people there caring about this series. :) One Love from Germany

[@dr.madthumbz2689]

Non, tu n'es pas le seul, franchement... Où vas tu prendre ça?

[@stephenheath8465]

Only haha France was the hip hop mecca of Europe back then

[@okaboltv]

Moi aussi je regarde cette série depuis le debut. De France ! 😇

[@effer3]

France, Belgique, Suisse, Cambodge... Lol c'est Preemo!

[@boogiedownbronx73]

Jeru one of the greatest and most underrated MCs period...never got his flowers...but i respect his skillzz

[@DubIsTheFoundation]

My favorite MC...❤

[@alexanderclaylavin]

Source gave Wrath of the Math like two mics

[@HanifBarnwell]

He’s on my top five (which doesn’t include Biggie, 2Pac, Jay Z and or Nasir)

[@Toywins]

​@@alexanderclaylavinthey did the same thing to Pete Rock's solo album. Couldn't respect the source after that, even though they went back and gave Pete five mics.

[@jhall9602]

Stories like this just don’t exist anymore. Thanks always for keeping this history alive and well!

[@SweetPappyJones]

Better than any show on TV!

[@miker2591]

that og jeru version for hot 97 was muy caliente. his opening lines are so ill

[@alibaydoun2988]

This was the best episode yet. The history behind the track is crazy. RIP to Big 🙏🏽

[@UndergroundRap4eva]

One thing I appreciate about Preemo is him putting these out free on KZbin for everyone. No paid subscriptions only a few select could afford. Like Jeru said... That's Hip-Hop. Preemo is the cornerstone of this hip-hop culture. His legacy will go on forever. Speaking of which, that would be a nice one to share sometime. The Legacy with Group Home featuring Guru. Such a dope track.

[@ikhon1971]

Showing the footage of the crowds reacting to the song, Gabe me goosebumps.. Legendary..

[@powderedtoastfacekillah734]

Same I just left the exact same comment

[@Goatchild90]

R.I.P. The Notorious B.I.G.

[@lgp187inc]

I can’t imagine how dope it must’ve been to work with BIG, I listen to Big, Nas, Mobb Deep, JAY-Z… all their first and second albums and still wonder if I can make a classic. They are leagues above any artist popular now… I grew up in that era… best time to be alive imo

[@UrbanNoizeMusic]

NOW this is what I'm talking about! Premier has produced some of BIGGIE's most iconic beats. Can't wait to hear the story behind this.

[@djrek521]

you already did

[@thecunninlynguist]

Personal request: 2nd Childhood, Million 1 Questions, It's All Real, Shadows Crawl

[@WordToMomsYo]

This was SO NECESSARY.. This is history right here. Props to everyone involved in the creation of this video - you’re capturing history!

[@TheSchokoxx]

please Preemo bring back this series. I miss it!!!

[@beinerthchitivamachado9892]

Yooo! That part about the 10 in the sample was DOPE AF. And it's really simple and short, but makes the track more Dynamic. Preemo THE GOAT.

[@bighomie7968]

DJ Premier The Greatest and Rest In Peace BIG 👑🕊️

[@bo_irookanji]

I only know that Chuck D was not happy on hearing his voice on a drug dealer song. )

[@ZAR66]

He sued Premier over it.

[@michaelwimmer2009]

The info‘s missing that Chuck D was pissed bc of his vocal cuts being in a track about crack and drug dealing ☝️😂

[@dianevrules]

Wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The other writers of the PE song that was sampled were going after them. Chuck already mentioned that in several interviews. Chuck told Puff to give him a heads up before using his vocals. They never had that problem again.

[@powderedtoastfacekillah734]

I don’t see how that info is relevant to the story

[@michaelwimmer2009]

@@dianevrules so you say Preem‘s lying about that in numerous interviews?!

[@clgaines2006]

Historic banger. Grateful for the story, now memories.

[@timgrisham9051]

Rap is an art you can't own no loops, it's how you hook em up in the rhyme style troop

[@staygold15]

Gifted Unlimited

[@Official_Kings_Versus]

​@@staygold15 ...Rhymes Universal

[@seancagney8897]

So don't even think you could say something bit off of your weak beat come on you need to quit...

[@JRLiske]

Give Preem his plaque; he more than deserves it.

[@SweetPappyJones]

That’s the movement 🙌 #RIAA

[@splitrockfence]

Give him the 👑

[@ragemachine420]

Give him 10 the ten plaque commandments

[@dannywinget]

Thank you Preemo for being such a foundation in hip hop for decades. These episodes connect us even deeper to the amazing tracks that go down in hip hop history.

[@IdealtheWrapper]

Respect to Jeru for everything he did for hip-hop.

[@AmbassadorAusar]

Primo was a God sent to Hip hop real talk. This man worked with anyone that is anyone in Hip Hop history! Salute sir.

[@jayluv5333]

Talkin about crack .. yeah real hip hop

[@KD_SWAGGER]

DJ Premier did a great job explaining the story behind Ten Crack Commandments. R.I.P. BIGGIE!

[@lukrativ0922]

Dj premier is the greatest producer of all time.

[@puppetmaster8551]

Man Premo is the undisputed GOAT, what a goddamn legend

[@williamcapone5457]

i've said this million times Preemo scratches here can't be touched!!

[@wise357]

Bruh this might be the best one....I always wanted to hear your side of the story on the chuck d sample....

[@thetwopct]

Prem don’t leave us hanging man please do more of these vids!

[@anthonyjasi7528]

Wow. Excited been waiting for this one Just remembered. “Never high on yo on own supply”. Frankie White

[@ArchibaldEdits]

Classic record. R.I.P to the greatest of all time, The Notorious B.I.G.

[@johnnorton9173]

This joint changed my life studying the lyrics and always scracting like Premier CLASSIC

[@MLDoomsday]

Such a dope story. S/o to Jeru for being a real one so we could get this classic from Biggie and Premo.

[@BillLionaire12]

In the 90s a lot of interlude and show beats were dope AF!!! I'm glad this one got used rip Biggie🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@touch182]

"10" was genius. My favourite part of the beat. The way every sample cuts out when the snare drops is nasty.

[@keiththomas111]

Just made another best of Premo cd for my 08 Honda Civic I just reminisce and ride around remembering what I was doing at those times all the best cuts from the GangStarr albums and all the songs produced Bring it on,Danger,Supasta,Nas is like,Come Clean ,Sht is real remix and Classic still fire in 2023🎤🎧🎹💾💽📀💿 🏆🎖️🏅🥉👑

[@Jared4Love]

This about to make my lunch break 10x better Monday!! 🙏🏼🙌🏼

[@CJohnson3180]

Word

[@salcapozzi7278]

Exactly what I’m doin rn

[@blaquestarr007]

Damn right bro 👍

[@manatarmsslaps]

#facts lol mine as well lol

[@AlexanderDivineEmcee]

Lol same here

[@darowemcmillon2724]

THE GREATEST BEDTIME STORY EVER TOLD!!!

[@danielarmendariz8958]

Biggie was my favorite. I glad I got to see him live in my teenage years.

[@unbreakable3799]

Just saw this on my recommendations list since we have been listening to alot of Biggie tracks recently. Thanks for this amazing chapter and episode on the late great Biggie Smalls.

[@kalemchan6427]

The beat is a masterclass, the lyrics too, Incredible preemo and biggie RIP

[@TheR3gi]

Primo is UNDOUBTEDLY one of the GREATEST. TOP 3 producers/beat makers

[@chiefgangmusic]

CHILLS!!! 11:24

[@djrobflow]

THIS IS WHY UR THE GREATEST!!! RIP BIG

[@954brent954]

So many stories that happen so many lives can be involved just for one song! ❤ R.I.P B.I.G

[@adidas20zero]

Puff was stalking Premier for that beat, I see why it's fire!!!

[@trevorjames4619]

For those that don’t know, the reason Jeru and puff had tension was because Jeru didn’t feel big and puff were representing the streets the grimey, dirty way the streets we’re supposed to be represented. If you listen to the song “one day”, he talks of tying puff up in a basement and and pistol whipping him. Crazy times. Also, Jeru had beef with the fugees

[@1andonlydasilent1]

Wow 😮 I wonder if Lauryn Hill was talking about Jeru when she said 🎶 Even after all my logic and my theory I add a mother*****r so you ignorant n****s hear me" in their song Zealots

[@rdmkemestry510]

Pras-"No matter who you damage, your still a false prophet"...

[@rdmkemestry510]

Jeru-"I heard some Mcs wanna battle but a female is their strongest members"...

[@danteerskine7678]

@@rdmkemestry510 that was true, Lauryn hill was the strongest member of the fugees, wyclef jean Also but pras Michel , not so much

[@incognitotees]

Jeru absolutely destroyed that track. I heard it first on a mix tape and i kept rewinding it because it was so sick.

[@locomotives4105]

Dj Premier and Statik Selektah are my favorite DJs by far, they were the one's that got me into hip hop and how they mixed and scratched, the samples from other songs made a white kid with a mohawk to bob his head lol Thank you Preemo

[@reylopez8433]

A true genius.

[@turborocketmedia]

Most perfect series I've seen since better call saul! A treasure trove of hip hop history🔥🇺🇸👌

[@AdamElSueco]

Saw a Preemo set in Barcelona on March 9th, Biggies death day, like 10 years ago, he paid so much homage to Big. Will never forget that night.

[@eddiethetruhead]

All praise due to Premier and Jeru.🙏 RIP BIGGIE🎤🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Salute the floppy Y’all. Peace.💾💾💾

[@preiss0]

Absolute banger tune. In my top 10. Still gets played today. Underrated

[@marclasry8327]

Preemo is such a legend thank you for sharing with us those important stories. And also shout out to Jeru for putting aside his differences with Diddy to let Biggie shine and make history!

[@stylz711]

B.I.G wILL always be the GREATEST 🙏🏽

[@nyceflix]

Very interesting. Spoiler, it started out as a Jeru beat for an intro to Angie Martinez Hot 97 top 5 at 9. Puff called up wanting the beat. This would later lead to the Jeru/Biggie beef. Jeru flipped the same sample from JM "Playas Anthem" with some lyrics a lot of people interpreted as being directed at Big. Biggie fired back on, "Kick In The Door", "I'm surprised you run with them..." He was talking to Preem about 'Ru. When I interviewed Big in 95 he actually listed Jeru as an artist he appreciated.

[@asatvs]

I’m surprised because PREEMO did ask JERU if it was ok to give the beat to Puffy/Biggie and JERU said: ‘yes sure go ahead’. I think the beef was more because the JERU/PREEMO camp didn’t like the direction that hip-hop was going (‘Versace Suit’, etc …): They wanted hip-hop to stay ‘real’ 💯

[@nyceflix]

@@asatvs definitely a fact that he gave his blessing. That's not to say that was the exact moment that started it, TCC wasn't released until LAD which dropped after Big passed. If I recall correctly it was bubbling underground before the official release. Wrath of the Math dropped 96 and also had One Day where Ru laid into Puff/Bad Boy. So in essence, his "blessing" wasn't really needed, but probably given out of respect to Preems connects etc.

[@chosenonebeats]

Might be a conflict I thought “I’m surprised you run with them” was BIG talking about Nas running with Raekwon & Ghostface after Ghost called out BIG on Cuban Linx skit🤔

[@asatvs]

@@nyceflix You see, I told you so … Jeru gave his blessing to Preemo, so Biggie could use the track for TCC ✅

[@nyceflix]

@@asatvs I didn't dispute that. But really what's his, (or Angie's) blessing worth? Preem is an honorable man, because he made the beat, it wasn't for a label, he could have done whatever he wanted.

[@Casanova102986]

there’s never enough stories about the greatest of all time . biggie .

[@rafaellucas9694]

Preemo is the real deal. Hip Hop roalty. 🤴🤴

[@who_is_dis]

That late 80's - 90's -Early 2000's era was probably the pinnacle of the genre. It'll have to evolve into something else to do something like that. 2010's had it's moments for sure.

[@lunchmoneydnb]

Preem I grew up in New York back then in Westchester County, Peekskill. Ten crack commandments was bumping on every block and from every car. I lost my virginity to this lp at 16. Thank you. RIP BIG.

[@tochiRTA]

classic! can't wait!

[@q-dawwg626]

Thank you DJ Premiere for sharing these much needed stories for the culture of HIPHOP

[@leehambleton4762]

BIG IS the greatest, no question. As soon as you hear his voice, like just now with that clip of Long Kiss, you just feel it, goosebumps.

[@mikehoang]

Big is still my #1 artist of all time.

[@fernandoflores-cm1wt]

“Being creative as a dj” rookies take notes to this legend. Plaque more than earned 👏🏽

[@dr.madthumbz2689]

This has become my favorite series, all platforms included

[@MOIRECREATIVEPARTNERS]

I learned how to rhyme and flow over Pete and Preme so to hear these stories puts a smile on my face. Definitely need Pete Rock to do his own !!!!

[@DarhiRai]

For some reason, those records in the background give me a nostalgic feeling of buying records in the city back in the day, smelling insence, and hearing hip hop beats in the background 😢

[@nfranklin997]

March 9th is my son's bday, I remember playing Juicy all day when he was born. what a great day that was. rip big 🔥🙌🐐

[@arress2052]

Preem should've talked about how Chuck D felt about this record when it came out. I know Chuck was heated at that time but somehow, Primo and Chuck worked it out. I have always wondered what Premier's take on that whole thing is and how they came to an understanding.

[@kemz83]

Ha was wondering if he was gonna touch on that backstory as well!

[@spenzalii]

If memory serves, Chuck was suing BIG's estate. Preemo paid it to keep it off the estate's affair's. Took some years afterward, but he and Chuck squashed their issue. Chuck is and always has been anti drug, so having his voice on a song about rules to sell crack was a non starter for him. On Premier's side, it was all hop hop, and it would have better if Chuck had come to him to talk rather than sue the estate

[@jyoomoe]

He should have talked about Chuck

[@laemotica8405]

From what I remember, Chuck and Preem spoke at the time and Chuck explained why Preem had to be in the lawsuit and Preem understood, but Diddy got him excused somehow. I know Chuck & Preem never had beef over it. Arista did have to cut Chuck a massive check, though. Chuck had made it known he wasn’t ok with his voice being used to promote drugs or alcohol after the St Ides suit, so Preem, Big, and Diddy should have known better.

[@jyoomoe]

@@laemotica8405 actually Preemo and Chuck D had beef over it. They didn't speak for years and it was not all love.

[@bradbradmus5443]

Seriously, to whoever's idea it was to do these So Wassup videos - thank you 🙏... I'm surprised HBO or Netflix haven't picked it up as a high budget series - but knowing 👑 Preemo he'd probably stay independent anyway, true legend of the game... Giving me even more appreciation for that amazing old school sound that he pioneered. Big ups to everyone involved in this, keep doing you 👊💥‼️🎶🎵🎹🎧 peace

[@jasonjohnson3212]

Premo has class and seems like a really genuine person. Salute 🐐

[@powderedtoastfacekillah734]

I got chills when the crowd erupted when the track came on at Summer Jam

[@andyhay2438]

Thanks for sharing Premo, love a BIG story

[@traderhines76]

Man Premo goes hard. Definitely one of my favorite producers ever. I still get chills from 10 crack commandments.

[@keyfrom92]

Yeah that tracey lee joint is dope. Never understood how he got those vocals. Thanks for lettin it b known.

[@KSoloLoso]

R I P The Notorious

[@Laszlo5897]

Omg finally that's one of the hardest beats ever produced and one of my favorite tracks of all time. Much love and respect from Germany, Preemo

[@anthonyhodo3216]

My favorite big joint!!!

[@arielmedrano8098]

I feel like I've heard him talk about this track b4. How he chopped up the numbers. But the Angie part was new! Love the story's Prem 💯 can't wait for the next one already lol ✌️

[@dannieaiello9878]

“Full Clip” and “When I Be On The Mic” pleeeease!!

[@djwalkerfemaledj]

Biggie’s Ten Commandments is one of my all time favourite songs-LOVE FROM DJ WALKER FROM THE UK

[@nastytechniquez9685]

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9!!

[@grinchoi1]

My favorite Biggie joints are all Primo beats. Kick In The Door is my favorite. Big spazzes on that one

[@OG1323]

GREATEST RAPPER EVER DEAD OR ALIVE

[@commaJim]

One of the most iconic songs in hiphop. Love the details of this one. These stories are always so fuckin interesting.

[@andyp621]

Is there a more humble, stand up geeza in the game than Premo!! Still fire on the 1s & 2s after all these years and long may it continue!! ✌️

[@twista101287]

Daaaaaaaamn!!! Another fire CLASSIC!!! One of my all time favorite songs 👌🔥💎👑🎛🎧💪🤜