Just Blaze Spotify Playlist

With the legendary boom bap boardsman to hit London in March, we've assembled a playlist of twenty of his finest moments. Listen to it here.

Jimmy Coultas

Date published: 24th Jan 2014

Image: Just Blaze

Just Blaze is one of the greatest producers in hip-hop in the twenty first century, end of. His versatility means he's equally adept adding Hendrix esque guitar licks to his compositions, softening the textures to let emcees get personal with their lyrics or add grandiose strings and drama with consummate ease.

He first came to prominence working on the underground in the late nineties with the likes of Harlem World and Buckshot, before he becoming part of the Rocafella stable, producing for Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel and of course the main man at the imprint, Jay-Z. 2001 would see him produce four tracks on the latter's landmark release The Blueprint, the brilliant 'Girls Girls Girls' the pick and the opening track on our playlist (stream above).

As well as Jigga, we've included Joe Budden's club stomper 'Pump it up', Kanye West's Curtis Mayfield sampling 'Touch the Sky' and Kendrick Lamar's triumphant closer to good kid, m.A.A.D city 'Compton'. There's also efforts from Rick Ross, Talib Kweli, T.I., Jay Electronica and Ghostface Killah, and even a remix of Maroon 5 which showcases Just Blaze's ability to turn out anthems even in the pop sphere (he's also worked with Madonna).

He'll be heading to the Scala in the capital for Doctor's Orders on Saturday March 8th, where he'll be making his fifth appearance at the London hip-hop institution. Although Just Blaze's current DJ sets feature the bass heavy trap influenced elctronic music he's been cultivatig with the likes of Baauer, this will be him in full on b-boy mode.

He'll be joined by a four deck set from UK hip-hop heroes The Nextmen, TDO's newly signed resident turntable technician Mr Thing (the only place to hear him spin hip hop in London in 2014), Kidkaneval, Spin Doctor, Chris P Cuts, Mo Fingaz and MC Prankster on mic duties. Ticket details here.

Looking into what Festivals to do this summer? We are too. Keep your finger on the festival pulse at our special section right here.

Tickets are no longer available for this event