Pete Rock: Crates, Classics, and Knicks

About this episode

The episode features a conversation with legendary producer Pete Rock about his career and influence in hip hop.

Some producers make beats. Pete Rock built a blueprint. On this episode of Unglossy, Bun B, Jeffrey Sledge, and Tom Frank sit down with the legendary producer, DJ, and MC for a wide-ranging conversation that runs from his Mount Vernon roots all the way to the present moment. Pete takes us back to coming up under Heavy D, spinning on WBLS next to Marley Marl at 13 years old, and the basement studio where Biggie, Run DMC, Nas, and half of hip hop passed through. He breaks down the stories behind the classics: how "T.R.O.Y." came out of real grief and taught him to treat music like medicine, how Jam Master Jay tapped out the drums on "Down with the King," and how he ended up singing the hook on "The World Is Yours." Plus the new De La Soul album, his love of comics, and why, after 53 years without a chip, these Knicks have him out of his head in the best way. It is a masterclass, a memory lap, and a love letter to New York, all in one. Follow us on Instagram @UnglossyPod to join the conversation, and get early access plus live recordings and more at Merrick Studios+. Unglossy is produced and distributed by Merrick Studios, where culture takes the mic.

People in this episode

Hosts: Bun B, Tom Frank, Jeffrey Sledge

Guest: Pete Rock

Topics covered

• music production
• hip hop history
• New York culture
• personal stories
• music as medicine

Keywords

• Pete Rock
• hip hop
• music production
• New York
• T.R.O.Y.
• De La Soul
• Knicks

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: De La Soul

Books & works: T.R.O.Y., Down with the King, The World Is Yours

Places: New York, Mount Vernon

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