(AllHipHop News) When the man who helped craft songs like Common’s “The B#### In Yoo,” Kanye West & Jay Z’s “The Joy,” and Nas’ “The World Is Yours” names you as one of his all-time favorite emcees that is a major co-sign for any artist. It is especially noteworthy if one of those rappers has not even released a major label album yet.
That is the case for Top Dawg Entertainment’s Ab-Soul. In a recent interview with AllHipHop, Pete Rock placed the Black Hippy member alongside Kanye West, Jay Z, Nas, and The Notorious B.I.G. on his list of top 5 emcees dead or alive.
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Ab-Soul will appear on the song “Don’t Ya Just Love It” off Rock’s upcoming collaborative mixtape with Camp Lo – 80 Blocks From Tiffany’s Pt. II. Pete Rock’s first official free project will also feature Talib Kweli, Mac Miller, M.O.P, and Uncle Murda.
In the interview Pete Rock also shared some of his favorite peers. When asked for his top 5 producers dead or alive, he listed Kanye West, J Dilla, Nottz, Kev Brown, and Alchemist. He also highlighted Jake One, and he mentioned he is a fan of DJ Premier. The two legendary Hip Hop producers are planning to release a joint project together next year.
“That’s going to be crazy,” says Pete about his future album with Premier. “The people that you wouldn’t expect to hear over a Pete Rock or Premier beat, you’re gonna hear them.”
Pete Rock also provided the quintessential songs from his production discography, stating that it is difficult to pin down five of his own tracks that he would hold up as standards. He finally decided on his classic with CL Smooth, “They Reminisce Over You,” Nas’ “The World Is Yours,” Big L’s “Holdin’ It Down,” Heavy D & The Boyz’ “Don’t Curse,” and the remix to Public Enemy’s “Shut Em Down.”
Pete Rock and Camp Lo’s 80 Blocks From Tiffany’s Pt. II will be available for free download on July 30 at datpiff.com.