DJ Premier doesn’t have to do much to prepare himself for another battle on the ones & twos. Last weekend, we found the legendary mixer and producer inside Sidebar in Downtown Miami — hours before his scheduled duel with fellow DJ and producer Pete Rock — doing what he does best before any gig. As the sound engineers prepare the massive speakers for the epic showdown, Preemo was completely unbothered as he scarfed down a burrito from a local Mexican restaurant.
“What was the name of the place we just ate the burrito at?” Premier asks his manager. “Taco Loco. That, and a tortilla soup.”
The meal was necessary for him to take on his favorite opponent Pete Rock. Hype surrounding his own battle was through the roof for his fans, however, Preemo says he doesn’t need to do much else to prepare for his gigs anymore — outside of the customary soundcheck. The founding DJ of Gang Starr isn’t a stranger to the 305, but it was his first time battling Pete Rock in Miami. These rap veterans have been making headlines with their unforgettable match-ups since they first squared off overseas in Tokyo, Japan in 2010. Over the last seven years, Preemo and Pete have brought their battle to major cities in the U.S. including Boston, San Francisco, and now, Miami.