Sun 30 Aug 2009
Video: Stretch Armstrong compares DJ AM to the Beatles
Posted by Mikey Fresh under Videos[39] Comments
Mikey: Stretch Armstrong sat down with MTV news, and gave a lil’ insight on DJ AM’s legacy, “I was trying to think of an analogy in music to AM and the only group I could really think of is the Beatles…
“He knocked down and opened so many doors that had never even been knocked on by DJs. These doors might be open but there’s no one that can walk in them right now, and who knows if there will be? He was a singular talent in that way.”
Related: DJ Premier on DJ AM: He was sick on the turntables, and f–k any DJ that
(Props to Jayson)
August 30th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Stretch is looking like Dr. House these days.
August 30th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
r.i.p am he was great dj but not sure about the Beatles talks
August 30th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
yeah ok my dude. Before the plane crash I never heard of dude before.
August 30th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Being gay does that to you.
August 31st, 2009 at 1:48 am
The Beatles?
This is some sort of joke right? The BEATLES?
The Beatles weren’t just the greatest band of all time. The Beatles invented colour. Before them the world was black and white.
DJ AM knocked DOWN doors? Someone name one door this guy even knocked on (besides his crack dealers) because I have yet to hear of anything this dude pioneered…
August 31st, 2009 at 3:18 am
Now Mikey, u know good n well u jus opened the floodg8s 4 sarcastic comments…
August 31st, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Ok so maybe this statement by Stretch might be a little bit of an over estimation by a close friend who’s dealing with his death no AM wasn’t the beatles no one was or is or ever will be the beatles. when you’ve done everything first you no one can do them first again this is why the beatles are the beatles they are the first Pop stars and most influential music artist period. That said AM did do some great things he was grade A Dj on the turn tables that I can personally vouch for seeing him spin with travis and at the Palms the man shuts it down. So anyway if that’s the way stretch feels then so be it that was his boy he’s entitled to his opinion about the man who are we to judge, Stretch Armstrong and Premo who also spoke very very highly of AM are legit fucking legend in music so I figure they would have more insight then us we are we just a bunch of heads reading and posting on a blog those guys create we just comment.
August 31st, 2009 at 1:41 pm
It’s 2009 dude grow up act like an adult for once!
August 31st, 2009 at 1:42 pm
He does look like house though LOL
August 31st, 2009 at 2:14 pm
okay i like the beatles as much as the next person, as much as i dislike them for stealing music from others, but that’s art for you. we all keep trying to remake the wheel.
but you really going to say THE BEATLES INVENTED COLOUR, and THAT BEFORE THEM THE WORLD WAS BLACK AND WHITE??????!!!!! now are you being poetic, throwing words around, or are you spouting some heavy hyperbole.
August 31st, 2009 at 2:14 pm
this is the truth. lol.
August 31st, 2009 at 4:22 pm
“he was grade A Dj on the turn tables that I can personally vouch for seeing him spin with travis and at the Palms the man shuts it down.”
@Kenny_Goodtimes:
And who are you to co-sign and vouch for AM outside of a fan? If you are blood family, or carried his Serato Box then my bad – but read on.
Let me make this VERY clear:
I am in NO way knocking DJ AM, or what he has done. IN NO WAY. What I AM saying is people who are connected / and or in the “industry” heard and knew of him. But regular folks did NOT.
People in the streets of Brownsville, Bed Stuy, Kew Gardens, Parkchester, Uniondale NJ, didn’t know AM. Regular people who used to club hard in 1999 to Ty Boogie, DJ Ace, or go to The Shadow, read Source & Vibe (but no longer live like that)and now prefer to listen to say S&S, Ron G, Micheal Baidsen on KISS, or even pull out a SOURCE or early VIBE – didn’t know of AM.
We aint even hit 40 yet!
@Primo:
You are pretty fucked up to call out DJs and people who truly never heard of AM.
That’s your prerogative, and that’s what you did. Aiight. You kept shit real as YOU know it, but if you really knew “real” in 2009 around the way, you would REALize a lot of US people in the hood are simply trapped. Some of us trapped (through no fault of our own) and many brainwashed and accept the mediocre.
BUT knocking them, US – because we aren’t, or were never privy to the information, circles, money, fame, connections, and company YOU HAD NO MATTER HOW HARD WE WORKED to get out of tere, does NOT warrant you “Mr Hip Hop Royalty” to berate us with a “fuck y’all”.
Because we never heard of a Hollywood Celebrity DJ that YOU KNOW don’t make him famous. My moms never heard of you, but she grew up when HipHop when it was just starting to blossom and get radio play late night on 105.9 WHBI. She never said “fuck him, I never heard of a Primo”.
You call people out, and say “fuck y’all? “Y’all should know DJ AM”.
?
That’s as ignorant as ME saying: “Part of me wishes Christina Aguellera said “fuck you” to all of the tracks Primo produced on her LP/CD. He’s just a Hip Hop producer and her core audience will never buy her CD’s again.
When you have money, and no longer live in the hood – its easy to come back for a photo Op, get a radio show, talk shit – then bounce back to safety.
Allow me to reintroduce you to East New York Pink, and Pink Houses: Fuck you Primo.
Fuck You.
Cats here dont know you anymore. Us “old school heads” tried in vain to keep your legacy and contributions alive with the Jeezy, Weezy generation that’s favored on Sutter ave, and Bway Junction, but nah…not anymore.
Sadly I have most of your recorded works, with Guru. I wish I could delete your beats. Fuck “ridin'” for you. Go back to Texas.
Rest In Peace DJ Nate Quick, and DJ AM.
August 31st, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Stretch aint gay, I can vouch for that. I hope you’re 16 or some shit. Why’s he gotta be gay? Cus he don’t wear a big fitted and try to act hard? Grow up homie.
But still, The Beatles??? That’s just crazy talk. Dude is mourning his man though, and you go through some crazy stages during a proper mourn, so I’m attributing it to that.
And to “Mertz”… The Beatles stole who’s music? And don’t come back with some shit like they covered some old blues in their formative years. Whatever they borrowed, they reimbursed ten-fold. There’s still no one on their level, and probably never will be!
August 31st, 2009 at 8:55 pm
huh? who said Stretch is gay….no. he is not. and you’re right…he’s allowed any opinion he wants esp about a loved one. Its not like he’s talking on professional panel or something.
August 31st, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Damn that whole diatribe for what? People on here get way defensive and angry sometimes. Refer to my comment re: Stretch’s hyperbolic comparisons. You’ve never embellished in a moment of passion? More than likely Premo was upset at people undermining his man’s importance (online) and lashed out. You went in a little too deep there. lol.
September 1st, 2009 at 1:27 am
fuckin retart, who does this lurch lookin mother fucker think he is comparing mr goldstein to the beatles, nobody will ever be on there level and people like this asshole need to remember that. Dont get me wrong what happened is sad but the dude wasnt no pioneer.
September 1st, 2009 at 2:54 am
i havent heard of dj am since bout a year ago and i been listening to hip hop my hole life i see what ron is saying but r.i.p to the dude. but anyway damn missing those dayz when stretch and bob had their show every other thusday on that station wit mad stactic lol.what was it 98.9 or sumthing?i no yall hear dis all the time but i miss 90s hiphop.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:17 am
if he was on a professional panel, then he would need to correct his opinion? what if he really does believe that?
September 1st, 2009 at 3:18 am
actually, he was very innovative with his multi-genre blending while dj-ing. If you go to any pop nightclub (and some hip hop ones) there are DJs who are blatantly ripping off blends that AM made famous. Its not really copywritable…but very noticeable. I’m not making comps to the Beatles but just pointing out my observation.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:19 am
also….Stretch is very smart…and has an incredible sense of music history.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:23 am
i wasn’t aware that the beatles have reimbursed all the artists they “borrowed” from.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:38 am
i’m not anywhere near 40, i listen to ron g, baisdon, i use to read source and vibe, and i know who dj am is.
i am not an insider…i am a nobody…my friends knew and partied with dj am back before atrak was djing, before diplo blew up, and i personally don’t know the dude but have been around him. i’m not from new york and i plus many people around my country know him. some people might not like him or his style but they know him…they know him even more after he got famous and not when he was touring with crazy town. people in philly know am, people in la know am, people in paris and lots of people around the world know who adam m goldstein is. just because you don’t doesn’t mean you speak for everyone just like i can’t speak for everyone. i may not like his musical style but i love djing and the guy is really good on the tables.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:44 am
yeah man i miss stretch and bobbito. those were the days. i would put my radio towards the window and try to get an ny signal. i miss the 90’s period.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:09 am
thank you for that mertz.
September 1st, 2009 at 4:26 am
hopefully dr dres album and cuban links 2 brings back real raw ness in hiphop its a shame to watch something progress in to a great thing and then just turn into something that doesnt even matter no more kinda like building a house for your self and then have someone else live in it and they only let you visit once inwhile.i no theirs diff types of hip hop but since like 03 its been horrrible or maybe even 02, i want underground hip hop to be noticed every where not just online or college radio but at the same time keep the same underground sound ya heard!!??i have to go to sleep i have a big day tommorrow i have to find out a way to
September 1st, 2009 at 4:46 am
okay here are some songs that i think the beatles didn’t just cover but stole from…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjAvQ22_05I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0qq6AI7CiE
john lennon stole the riff for i feel fine from bobby clark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJCzjF7MvpM&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Edmbeatles%2Ecom%2Fforums%2Findex%2Ephp%3Ftopic%3D7329%2E0&feature=player_embedded
here’s roy orbison’s candy man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CidpRRpktmA&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Edmbeatles%2Ecom%2Fforums%2Findex%2Ephp%3Ftopic%3D7329%2E20&feature=player_embedded
and here’s the beatles love me do
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FarJhsXUqo
here’s lady madonna
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-42ZFa2nuxs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Madonna
and here’s humphrey lyttelton’s bad penny blues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1-pQziWiKk
daytripper
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR132ktkevk
bo diddley’s road runner
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUKUt8CtSOI
i saw her standing there
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNsmrd-aR1c
chuck berry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rcyf1Hn849E
September 1st, 2009 at 4:52 am
i’ve also been listening to this great radio show
http://www.randysvinyltap.com/
and they have dealt with the beatles “borrowing” from other artists.
September 1st, 2009 at 1:12 pm
and you know what no disrespect to the dj’s out there or even the culture, but if you are a big dj head and you blind yourself to the fact that adam did open doors for many many people, like how many many people opened doors for him, you would be aware of who this kid is. when i first heard him when he was on tour with a band i liked, that most people thought was “lame” i could see that he wasn’t bound to rock or pop and could always add hip hop records to his set. so i did what any kid does when they are interested in something, which for me was djing, and i researched this guy. he used to be real heavy, literally, and i knew how he and his friends roll’d and i wasn’t interested in all that because i could be impressionable but i just kept my eye out and an ear for this dude. i knew that he had an appreciation for what came before and would study the past, like how i do, and as i would listen to him more the more i could tell who he was influenced by. he got a chance to do what’s it called prerecorded dj sets for the pop, rock, radio station here, when ryan seacrest was trying to branch out and get into the media business. i know loval dj’s who do radio now who would never admit to liking adam or being influenced by him, or the fact that this dude knocked down doors in my city for dj’s to play all these upscale events and get paid heavy money, but you know who was first to do it here…who did it here on the “underground party scene” whether he was playing for money or doing it for free, it was adam. adam isn’t even from where i’m from yet he was smart enough to know to spread past his boundaries and diversify. this dude is intelligent. the more i learned about his past the more i felt sad for him. i’m still sad about this. he’s respected and loved by some of my favourite dj’s and even the hater dj’s know not to hate on this dude. he really was a footsoldier. that’s what i believed. i’ve been following this dudes career even before he went “hollywood” and i don’t care about all that, or about the money. what i care about is music and culture and i felt like i could look at this mamn and follow his template doing what i was/am passionate about. RIP AMG. i really feel for his moms man and his sis. he always talked good about his sis, his mother, philly. there was a time when i was like please who is this kid trying to play, with that whack set list and his uninspired dj style…but i stoped being stupid, biased, w/e and i allowed myself to try and understand the dude and although i never took up those oppertunities to party with him and my friends because that’s not my scene…i knew he wasn’t doing drugs…i knew he worked hard and was a beast on the tables…i knew he drank a lot of redbull and water…i knew he was the dude my favourite dj’s would talk about…and i kind of regret not taking those oppertunites to get to know the dude. oh well.
September 1st, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Primo got defensive and emotional because HE felt everybody should know who DJ AM was. That a very ignorant way to think.
Sadly Primo is a legend, so everyone will basically co-sign what he (or Questloves says, because they are “legends” and anyone else who feels differently is “hating” or “bitter” – and that’s not the case.
I’m not coming at Ehhh, Mertz,Info, or anyone else per say, except for Primo and his comments.
Music, HipHop, the culture and Djing IS that deep for me. I may just be a “average consumer” but I’m loyal to this music and culture I grew up on, lived, and live – no matter how much I critique it.
September 1st, 2009 at 2:41 pm
These comments and responses make me realize yet again, a lot of us experienced DJ / Hip Hop culture at different times (and places) in our lives. None of us are right, none of us are wrong.
We base what we know, on what we know – our individual experiences.
For the 3rd time (before someone doubts my sincerity), RIP to DJ Nate Quick, and DJ AM.
Shouts to the many dope DJs that us regular peeps knew, partied to, just as dope as AM but who never had the “right” connections – or exposure.
I guess that’s one of the many reasons why I still love HipHop and the culture. It’s everything and anything to everyone.
September 1st, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Trust…there are radio shows out here/there that are JUST as dope as S&B were back then. Point that radio back.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:06 pm
there’s a couple shows i listen to that are local and are good for my city, but i don’t listen to a lot of ny shows anymore because it’s hard to get a signal over the lake…and i moved so i can’t get the same angle. i miss listening to ny radio :(…but the good thing is everything is online now. you have any good recommendations???? it would be appreciated 🙂
September 1st, 2009 at 3:15 pm
good comment. you don’t know much about him but he had to work for those connections. he wasn’t just connected because he’s rich or he has a name or whatever. this kid is from philly. he reps philly all the time to the entire world. philly people like to hate on their own, and it’s not like this dude was going to stay there and achieve what he dreamed of. he went to LA and he made some friends…good or bad. nothing fell out of the sky and he just happened to get a golden ride. his mind is really on point. he was a smart business person too.
and yeah i love hip hop, even if i don’t fit in. i don’t really care because i don’t really fit in much anywhere either, but i am a part of the culture, and i volunteer so that culture can continue. hip hop fans are some of the best and worst people out there. they think they are so above everything and if they so you’re not in the group then that’s law.
i’m listening to a radio show episode on hip hop around the world. hip hop/music is big and means something to each individual and how can that passion be right or wrong.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:16 pm
That’s what I’ve noticed in my 17+ years of hanging out at nightclubs, lounges, bars.(plus knowing of good DJ’s + music)
Ive heard and witnessed DJ’s in NYC who have been doing that since the early mid- 90’s.
They just didn’t have connections, but muthatflunmk they rocked the party, and still can just as well but were never afforded the opportunity – OR chance.
I dont want to come across as a “who is AM” dude, so i’mma be easy.
My problem is with Primo.
September 1st, 2009 at 3:26 pm
because you’ve had your head up your ass doen’t mean he wasnt around. AM been doing it for a longggg time and anyone with half a sense for the shit he did knows he was one of THE best to ever do it. RIP AM
September 2nd, 2009 at 2:13 am
“hip hop fans are some of the best and worst people out there. they think they are so above everything and if they so you’re not in the group then that’s law.”
(laughing)
Yeah mertz, us HipHop heads – we ARE indeed a “special bunch”. LOL
Seriously though, We’re all part of the madness – but i really think its in a good way. Thanks to Miss Info for having a place were us listeners can converse.
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:58 am
LOL…yes I am kidding of course…I’m just repeating the oft-quoted hyperbolic phrase that the “Beatles invented colour”…it’s an affectionate exaggeration to describe the sheer impact they had during the 60’s on not only music but also fashion, art and almost every other aspect of pop culture…I think the actual phrase itself derives from the Beatles links to 60’s psychedelia and it’s use of luminous and fluorescent colours which was emerging at the same time…and somewhere along the line this use of colour became credited as having been influenced by the Beatles…and eventually invented by them lol…
Other common uses of Hyperbole in Rock n Roll music include:
“Elvis was the Big Bang; before Elvis there was NOTHING”
Why am I even discussing this in such detail and on a hip-hop site of all places lol…probably because I’ve been in work since 10pm and it’s now 5.56am and I have 1 hour and 4 minutes left to go and I’m almost halucinating with tiredness…
But also because I like reading your comments on here Mertz so you deserve a proper reply lol
September 3rd, 2009 at 3:12 am
lol! hope you’re doing alright from working the overnight. i can’t believer you actually read all my comments with those spelling mistakes. tsk tsk tsk. i’m so tired right now two but i’m doing 7 things at the same time along with trolling multiple websites, but that’s fools for ya.
i almost didn’t make it through your whole comment once you started going in about the colour connection (i love colour!), but i read it because you have something to say and you don’t type in all caps. i figured after i read that very strong and very obvious hyperbolic statment that it was probably one of those popular things people always say when it comes to some of these people, so what i did was i googled and youtube anything beatles (because i know stupid apple is also releasing doing their annual apple september event when the beatles reissue or whatever it is comes out), and instead of actually speninding the whole morning listening to beatles…i spent the whole evening listening to old old olddddddddd records from black artists. it was the best thing i did a couple days ago and i’m glad i did it because it made me realize that although i am not an old geezer like some of the people on this website 😛 i love music and i appreciate the past. god bless the past. i’m sorry this discussion is happening on a hip hop website, although hip hop samples a lot from the past too :), but you gotta talk when you gotta talk and this website is a good place for that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rcyf1Hn849E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1-pQziWiKk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJCzjF7MvpM&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Edmbeatles%2Ecom%2Fforums%2Findex%2Ephp%3Ftopic%3D7329%2E0&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUKUt8CtSOI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFSRs7iqAv8&feature=fvst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy3Qpi_XfDA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwDhFsrpJH0
and then i listened to the new jay z record, some jazz music, some canadian new music and old diana krall. i love music…almost as much as i love art. it’s hard deciding what’s better though!
September 10th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
yeah i can’t lie. i love the madness. i like this website because there isn’t a lot of the crap i can find on other websites. you can tell people are opinionated but they don’t talk out of their ass or just curse and use other langugae just for the fun of it. but sometimes you come across those people who only talk in text/it’s the pc thing to do langauge and all ebonics and it’s just crazy. it’s like constructing sentences (no some of them don’t even have any punctuation) from every word found at urban dictionary. i’m sorry i don’t speak in improper short form and right “u c” for “you see”. ugh.