 This morning I caught a little bit of the Today Show on NBC. I rarely watch TV, and never morning shows, but I watched a few minutes as I sipped my coffee. At one point they cut to a conversation between host Natalie Morales and some guy who I assume serves as the cliché Hollywood correspondent. They were talking about the latest TMZ-type rumor concerning Will Smith (and I don’t even remember what it was). But then they mentioned that actor Smith started as a hip-hop artist along side DJ Jazzy Jeff. The man on the Today Show, loudly dressed and cackling like a human coyote, started dissing Jazzy Jeff, mocking “What ever happened to that guy? No one in the public has heard from him since. Is he even still alive?” to paraphrase. I dismissed it and tuned out the rest of the show, and then turned off the TV. But it bothered me, gnawed at me all day, to the point that it’s after 10 p.m. and I’ve traveled and worked all day and still I need to write this to get it off my chest. Shame on you, Today Show, and shame on you, you insignificant buzzard-man for talking 'itch about a true artist. If you knew anything about Hollywood, entertainment, or the music industry (that’s supposed to be your job, right?) then you would know that Jazzy Jeff is not only alive (I found that insulting) but a significant contributor to the evolution and refinement of modern hip hop. Just because Jazzy Jeff isn’t making 20 million dollars a year in blockbuster movies that are merchandised on the side of McDonalds cups doesn’t mean he is persona non grata. But instead of getting angry, let me relieve you of your unbounding ignorance: Jeffrey Allen Townes, or DJ Jazzy Jeff, is originally from Philadelphia, where he teamed up with a charismatic young rapper named the Fresh Prince to release a light-hearted, teen rap album in 1987 that rose the charts to success. Smith and Townes went on to act together in “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” which vaulted Smith into television, and later movie stardom. Good for him – I truly like Will Smith, and believe he’s one of the good guys who deserves his celebrity, and handles it with aplomb. And what was the fate of DJ Jazzy Jeff? He’s gone on to make music for the last 25 years, that’s all. I say that sarcastically, because apparently that’s not good enough for some low-level gossiper on The Today Show, but to me it’s impressive. In fact, I’ve heard quite a few of DJ Jazzy Jeff’s songs, and albums, and mix tapes, and collaborations, and they’re pretty damn good. Great, even. In my opinion he should be applauded as a true artist, a pioneer, someone who has passionately focused on the quality of his craft. He's rocked the turntables for a quarter of a century and passionately shared that sonic joy with his underground fans, instead of chasing Hollywood money by kissing Hollywood ass. Big-up DJ Jazzy Jeff, we true hip hoppers and music aficionados appreciate you. You’re a career musician, a rap legend, an oratorical historian, a soul griot, and deserve better than to be blindsided by some sub-vanilla chicken-shit morning show that wouldn’t know true culture if it jumped up and bit them on their bony, limousine-seat warmed asses. Oh, and remember that gossip correspondent I was talking about, the one who put your name in his mouth? I spent fifteen minutes on Google trying to figure out who he was, but nowhere could I find his name, or any reference to who he is, or even that he exists at all. Maybe all is as it should be. -Norm Schriever *** Please email the Today Show and demand an on-air retraction of their comments, and apology to Dj Jazzy Jeff: Click here to contact the Today Show. *** By the way, check out DJ Jazzy Jeff’s impressive Discography (taken from Wikipedia): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DJ_Jazzy_Jeff Discography Solo work as DJ Jazzy Jeff
As DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
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30 Comments
I totally agree man, some of these punk news correspondents are so goddamn full of themselves. Thinking just because the make 120k a year, have a suit collection, and get to be on TV everyday that they are above everyone else. Reading a tele-prompter is not busting your creative ass your entire life for the love of music while giving so much to others. If there is something I want to learn and I want it straight i read about it or watch the BBC news.
Norm Schriever
3/21/2013 08:20:36 am
Thanks bro - and well said. I think we appreciate celebrity way too much and the art, which is supposed to generate it, way too much. And yes, BBC is bomb!
bsells
3/22/2013 08:17:37 am
all that fool had to do was look on youtube, he's an idiot
bsells
3/22/2013 08:22:48 am
another thing, he changed(and dj cash money) dj-ing. every hip hop dj wants to do what he does. once again that dude is a freaking idiot 3/21/2013 09:00:44 am
Bro, I'm so glad you posted this, called him out, and giving Dj Jazzy Jeff the love and respect he deserves. Bless up yuh self!!!!
diz
3/21/2013 11:26:41 am
And THAT'S why I no longer watch the Today show. It's no longer relevant. Almost seems as if they are trying to keep up but are sadly failing. The word legend is over utilized today. But Jeff is definitely the definition of legend. He earned it the hard way by grinding, not taking the fluffy route. One of a dying breed.
Marvin
3/21/2013 02:14:55 pm
Yo Nrom... U SUCK, YOUR OPINION MEANS NADA. U DON'T KNOW JACK ABOUT THIS MAN. Go learn something about him, he's only 1 of the greatest in the WORLD. He's a L-E-G-E-N-D in the Hip-Hop community & your just a two bit asswipe douche... FUCK YOU NORM, YOU JUST PLAYED YOURSELF!!
Greg
3/21/2013 11:24:29 pm
Curious as to why you're attacking Norm? He said exactly what you said about Jazzy Jeff. I think you need to focus your anger on Today Show, not him. Just Sayin.
Toni
3/21/2013 09:29:54 pm
And thats why i dont watch the today show anymore! Can't stand ignorant people!
TShort
3/22/2013 12:36:54 am
Just so you all know, Jeff founded and ran A Touch of Jazz production studios for nearly two decades after professionally parting ways with Will. ATOJ worked with Michael Jackson, Herbie Hancock, Eminem, Boyz II Men, The Roots, Jill Scott (produced her first LP, "Who Is Jill Scott"), Musiq, Jewel, Darius Rucker, and literally hundreds of other artists, writers, and producers.
Pameal
3/22/2013 01:02:14 am
I also read that Jazzy Jeff screwed artists and producers out of their money. He may be a legend in hip hop, but he's morally corrupt too. No sympathy for him.
TShort
3/22/2013 01:47:40 am
Pameal - Be careful about what you "read". Fact is that Jeff gave away a lot more money at ATOJ than he ever made. Jeff makes his money DJ'ing - always has, always will. The money earned at ATOJ was just put back into the company (Jeff took no salary or "bonus"). To the extent that certain artists or producers possibly didn't receive money they should have was as much their responsibility/fault (not paying attention to THEIR business - not unusual with artsists/in the music industry) as it was anyone else's, inlcuding Jeff's. Bottom line is that Jeff, like all humans, has many flaws - being "morally corrupt" is definitely NOT one of them.
Pamela
3/22/2013 02:21:31 am
It's not just what I read, I also heard first hand from those who work with him...like adding his producer credit to projects he did NO work on. These are things that were told to me from those who were DIRECTLY affected by the underhanded stuff he did. So be careful who YOU defend. I'm sure just like me, you don't know EVERYTHING about him, so saying that he is NOT corrupt is just as much your opinion as I have mine.
TShort
3/22/2013 05:38:10 am
I actually know a great deal about Jeff - more than most I would imagine. I worked for him for nearly 7 years - saw the good stuff and the bad. Probably were some cases where he "took credit" for projects where arguably shouldn't have, but (1) that's the music business, and (2) those disputes really only take place when there's success - success that simply could never have occurred without Jeff investing both his reputation AND his money in creating an environment where developing young talent could merge, and eventually flourish, with opportunities they never would've gotten anywhere near without Jeff. Frankly Jeff could have - and SHOULD have - taken more credit than he actually did. But either way, the bottom line, again, is that Jeff definitely was and is NOT corrupt. If nothing else, he had zero incentive to "take" from any of the people who came through ATOJ - their credit or their money. (1) Jeff always cared much more about music than money (if that weren't the case, he could've just continued rolling with Will on "The Fresh Prince" and other projects straight to the $bank$); (2) Jeff built his own music rep/credits looong before anybody came through ATOJ (first Rap Grammy, multi-platinum LPs); and (3) Jeff has always made his money (significant money!) as a DJ - he never needed money from ATOJ.
Norm Schriever
3/22/2013 01:03:32 am
Thank you for writing in to defend Jazzy Jeff, Marvin. I love the passion and I'd have to agree with your assessment of me on several of those items, however I'm the one who wrote the article defending Jazzy Jeff and calling out the Today Show. Perhaps it's a case of mistaken identity and you thought I was the Today Show guy? Hahaha
Norm Schriever
3/22/2013 01:04:58 am
Thanks Greg - he probably thought I was the one who said those things on the Today Show, not the one who wrote the article defending Jeff.
Norm Schriever
3/22/2013 01:09:31 am
T-Short - Thanks so much for touching base and illuminating more of Jeff's work. I'll definitely check out that foundation, and get my noggin nodding to the song you suggested! Stay blessed, bro.
Scott
3/22/2013 03:15:44 am
Jazzy Jeff himself jokes about this aspect of his own career on The Return of the Magnificent. Have you listened to this album and laughed at this skit? This is really upsetting that the Today Show would even allow someone on their show to diss a legend like this....shame on them....shame. on. them. I met Jeff once in my local record shop when I still lived in Philly - I instantly recognized him and could not believe my lucky day....I was 14 years old and I can remember how in awe I was that I was actually standing there shaking this man's hand. A legend.
Conor
3/22/2013 08:54:46 am
I found this to be out of line. I don't know too much about him, but I do know that he's a hip-hop legend, and comments like this shouldn't be aired (about anyone, really).
Tim
3/22/2013 11:30:24 am
The Today Show isn't to blame. The show was live, was it not? They aren't going to censor that harmless and tactless "joke". But that doesn't mean the rest of the staff condones or cares about what that jackass said.
Applejac
3/22/2013 01:07:10 pm
Lest we also forget that BEFORE the whole thing with FP jumped off, he was a WORLD CHAMPION DJ, winning the New Music Seminar Battle For World Supremacy in 1986. That is all...
Carlee
3/22/2013 05:04:47 pm
Whatever Jeff's career, whatever happened to him after Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff, even if he did disappear into the oblivion never to be heard from again, can I just call this bullshit Today Show presenter out on the fact that he said "He might as well be dead". WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK, DUDE?!
Michael Heller
3/22/2013 05:44:55 pm
Norm has it right. Jeff is a spin legend. Unfortunately, the dj's usually take a backseat to those rapping because 1) the rappers are the ones in the limelight and 2) the dj isn't considered an 'artist' because what they do isn't considered 'original'. However, I would argue that dj's do something with vinyl that is *totally* original. More importantly, I'd wager that most rappers totally rely on their dj's to make them look and sound awesome. There's a reason the name of the groups are DJ Jazzy Jeff AND the fresh prince, Erik B. AND Rakim, etc. A Capella rappers would be nothing without their dj's. 3/23/2013 01:11:39 am
Thanks for shining light on this problem which is bigger than just this example. Dismissing people based solely on their lack of notoriety." It's callous & condescending at best. Self-righteous & classist at the least. Greatest thanks for sharing the link to write in to the show to share my disappointment, they heard from me. Jeff is a pioneer & a personal inspiration to me. He is the living definition of Hip Hop DJ.
Djstz
3/23/2013 11:21:18 am
You were right on point norm. Jeff is a Dj legend, innovator and pioneer. That guy's report was just a boneheaded way of saying what is he doing now. It's just another mainstream attack on real hip hop. You can tell just by the response how people feel about this topic. Being from Philly myself, I've seen their careers unfold and blossom before my eyes. Jeff was an inspiration to me as a Dj back in the day and keeps me motivated to this day. Remember it was jazzy Jeff & the fresh prince, not the other way around. Who ever that guy was, he's nobody. Jeff is known and respected world wide.
j
6/5/2014 07:25:16 am
"big-up" huh? wow, there are even people you connect with here... Leave a Reply. |
Norm SchrieverNorm Schriever is a best-selling author, expat, cultural mad scientist, and enemy of the comfort zone. He travels the globe, telling the stories of the people he finds, and hopes to make the world a little bit better place with his words. Categories
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