Jazzy Jeff

If you're anything like me, you spent much of your childhood wondering just what was up with those perennially sad and generally bothersome parents. With 1988's "Parents Just Don't Understand," DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince articulated those feelings of generational separation and existential detachment. The Fresh Prince was...

By Sam Chennault

February 2, 2006

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If you're anything like me, you spent much of your childhood wondering just what was up with those perennially sad and generally bothersome parents. With 1988's "Parents Just Don't Understand," DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince articulated those feelings of generational separation and existential detachment. The Fresh Prince was the Bob Dylan of the sandbox set, and Jazzy Jeff was Phil Spector for Captain Crunch consumers. But aside from capturing the elementary school Zeitgeist in the mid-Eighties, Jazzy Jeff is one of hip-hop's most accomplished turntablists. He invented the Transformer Scratch, which sounds just like you'd imagine it, and has released numerous solo albums, including 2002's excellent BBE release The Magnificent. And if this isn't enough to entice you to check out Jeff's new monthly residency at the beautiful club Shine, then it is you who just doesn't understand.

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