Get Some BBQ & Get Busy with DJ Jazzy Jeff's New Music Production Program (Interview)

With the super hot Bel-Air series hitting the waves, it seems everyone’s reminiscing about the original Fresh Prince and wondering what the old cast is up to. So when we heard that fan favorite DJ Jazzy Jeff was launching a virtual music producing program, we were excited to learn more!

From making us laugh every time he and Will Smith were on screen to winning multiple Grammy awards, DJ Jazzy Jeff has built a legacy over the years and wowed fans with his flawless turntable skills, innovative production and musical versatility.

His new online course is called Command Central: Making Beats. The six-week program will provide content creators, DJs and aspiring producers of all skill levels with the resources to build the core foundational skills for music production. Each week will sharpen participants' beat making skills through video module lessons ranging from drums, melody, arrangements, mixing, and sampling which participants will then apply to their own produced tracks. DJ Jazzy Jeff will be joined by award-winning colleagues, and other surprise guests for live sessions and one-on-one feedback throughout the program.

DJ Jazzy Jeff took some time out of his busy schedule to answer a few of our questions below, including his thoughts on the hip hop scene in Shanghai! To learn more about and register for Command Central: Making Beats, check out https://commandcentral.djjazzyjeff.com/

How did Making Beats come about? What's the difference between this new program and Playlist Retreat?

Command Central: Making Beats came about because I've always felt like looking at a lot of the production courses, and even looking at some of the DJ courses, they all start at such an advanced level. They seem to assume that you already know something about making music. This course is really designed to show you the basics and give you a solid foundation so you can decide if you want to take it further.

It’s different from PLAYLIST Retreat in that the retreat is more of a space for learning, creativity, and inspiration amongst a limited amount of peers. Artists can learn about a variety of topics at the Retreat, while the Making Beats program focuses on music production. The program is also virtual which allows anyone to learn no matter where they are.

Has teaching always been something you've been interested in? Why now?

I’ve always enjoyed sharing what I know with others. I’ve mentored producers, DJs, and artists for my entire career. I’m grateful to have been in the game for a very long time, and there are invaluable lessons that come with that kind of experience.

The music landscape keeps evolving – now more than ever – and I think it’s important to make sure this kind of foundational knowledge isn’t lost as creatives move with the changing industry.

Making Beats seems to be not only for aspiring music producers and DJs, but the press release says it's also for content creators. As an artist who's worked in the industry since before social media existed, how important do you view content creation today? How do you think social media has changed or impacted the industry?

Social media without a doubt has impacted the industry. I think content creation can be incredibly useful if used strategically. Being able to have a bird’s eye view of the music industry before and after social media, I’ve seen how the digital era has expanded creatives’ reach. For a long time, record companies controlled how and when an artist could connect with their fans. Now with social media, they have direct access to their fans 24/7. Social media has leveled the playing field when it comes to discovering new things, finding new opportunities, and in my case access to music education.

How did you learn to DJ? Is a course like Making Beats something that would have benefited you?

I learned how to DJ when I was 10 by watching my older brothers and their friends playing music at block parties. Even though it’s not a DJ course, I think it would’ve been helpful in teaching me about song structure and tempo, both of which are useful for a DJ to know. Also, most DJs today like to play cool edits and remixes. So taking a music production course is the best way to learn how to do that.

And lastly, a while back you performed in Shanghai! I lived in Shanghai from 2013-2017. There wasn't a lot of Hip Hop out there haha Tell us about your experience and if you'd ever go back.

I would definitely go back. There wasn’t a lot of hip hop culture the first few times I played in Shanghai, but there are a lot of music lovers out there. I feel like they trust me to take them on a musical journey, so they’re receptive to hearing something new and different. I loved witnessing their knowledge and appreciation of hip hop year after year. I’m sure the culture has expanded even more since the last time I was there, so I’m looking forward to going back one day.