He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper

He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper
Studio album by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Released March 29, 1988[1]
Recorded 1987–1988
Genre
Length 72:19 (CD)
85:10 (Vinyl)
Label

1091-J

Producer Pete Harris, The Fresh Prince, DJ Jazzy Jeff
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince chronology

Rock the House
(1987)		 He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper
(1988)		 And in This Corner...
(1989)
Singles from He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper
  1. "Brand New Funk"
    Released: December 2, 1987
  2. "Parents Just Don't Understand"
    Released: February 17, 1988
  3. "A Nightmare on My Street"
    Released: August 1, 1988
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [2]
Robert Christgau (B−)[3]
Sputnikmusic [4]

He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper is the second studio album by hip hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. It was the first double album in hip hop music, in its original vinyl incarnation.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the album triple platinum on February 1, 1995,[5] and is the duo's most successful album. In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source magazine's 100 Best Rap Albums.

Singles

The album's first single, "Brand New Funk", was only released promotionally and, thus, failed to achieve any commercial success. However, the album's second single, "Parents Just Don't Understand", won the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance and reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100.[6] Although the album's third single, "Nightmare on My Street", which reached #15 on the Billboard Hot 100, was considered for inclusion in the movie A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, the producers of the film decided against its inclusion. As a result, vinyl pressings of the album contain a disclaimer sticker that says, "[This song] is not part of the soundtrack...and is not authorized, licensed, or affiliated with the Nightmare on Elm Street films."

Track listings

Original vinyl release

No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "A Nightmare on My Street"  Pete Harris, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Will Smith 6:08
2. "Here We Go Again"    4:01
3. "Brand New Funk"  Will Smith 4:04
4. "Time to Chill"    4:25
5. "Charlie Mack (First Out of the Limo)"    4:46
6. "As We Go"    6:00
7. "Parents Just Don't Understand"    5:35
8. "Pump Up the Bass"    5:13
9. "Let's Get Busy, Baby"    4:06
10. "Another Special Announcement"    2:12
11. "Live at Union Square (November 1986)"    4:07
12. "D.J. on the Wheels"    3:36
13. "My Buddy"    3:40
14. "Rhythm Trax-House Party Style"    4:39
15. "He's the D.J., I'm the Rapper"    6:10
16. "Hip Hop Dancer's Theme"    3:48
17. "Jazzy's in the House"    4:10
18. "Human Video Game"    5:40

CD release

No. TitleWriter(s) Length
1. "Nightmare on My Street"    4:56
2. "Here We Go Again"    4:01
3. "Brand New Funk"    4:04
4. "Time to Chill"    4:25
5. "Charlie Mack (First Out of the Limo)"    4:46
6. "As We Go"    5:35
7. "Parents Just Don't Understand"    5:15
8. "Pump Up the Bass"    5:13
9. "Let's Get Busy, Baby"    4:06
10. "Live at Union Square (November 1986)"    4:07
11. "D.J. on the Wheels"    2:44
12. "My Buddy"    3:40
13. "Rhythm Trax (House Party Style)"    4:39
14. "He's the D.J., I'm the Rapper"    4:57
15. "Hip Hop Dancer's Theme"    2:55
16. "Jazzy's in the House"    3:01
17. "Human Video Game"    4:14
Total length:
 72:19

NOTE: The German CD version omitted tracks 16 and 17, and instated the song "Another Special Announcement" as track #10. All selections were the original, full-length versions from the vinyl release. The length was 72:59 mins.

Samples

"Here We Go Again"
"Brand New Funk"
"As We Go"
"Pump Up The Bass"
"Time To Chill"
"Live At Union Square (November 1986)"

Charts

Charts (1988)[7][8] Peak
position
UK Albums Chart 68
U.S. Billboard 200 4
U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums 5

References

  1. ↑ Recording Industry Association of America. Accessed March 29, 2015.
  2. ↑ link
  3. ↑ Christgau, Robert. "DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince". Robert Christgau.
  4. ↑ http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/8115/DJ-Jazzy-Jeff-and-the-Fresh-Prince-Hes-the-DJ,-Im-the-Rapper/
  5. ↑ RIAA Searchable Database - "DJ Jazzy Jeff". Recording Industry Association of America. Accessed November 10, 2008.
  6. ↑ Huff, Quentin B. (June 20, 2006). The Globalization of Beats & Rhymes. PopMatters. Accessed November 9, 2008.
  7. ↑ Warwick, Neil; Kutner, Jon; Brown, Tony (2004). The Complete Book of the British Charts, p. 561. Omnibus Press. ISBN 1-84449-058-0.
  8. ↑ allmusic ((( He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums ))). Allmusic. Accessed November 9, 2008.