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January 12, 2015 | Published By Bandini DJ Premier Announces His First Solo Album, Last Session @ 320 Less than one week into his new studio home in Astoria, Queens, big news is coming from DJ Premier. The longtime Gang Starr producer/DJ has announced his first solo album, Last Session @ 320. Planned for 2015, the title is presumably an homage to the 37th Street address of his just-closed HeadQCourterz Studios (f/k/a D&D Studios), where Premier was first an artist in residence and then an owner, dating back to 1992. “The building was sold in order to change it from commercial business to residential and our leases would not be renewed, so basically that means ‘everybody out!’ It is tough to accept after so many years making that much history there, but life is good and I will continue to make hot music. Passion never leaves your soul and I have a lot of it so I’m ready to continue on.” said Premier in a press statement. He is apparently already referring to his new home, in Kaufman Studios, as “HeadQCourterz” as well. The upcoming album will feature guest MCs, although none have been confirmed at this time. Beyond six albums with the late MC Guru in Gang Starr, DJ Premier has been a co-headlining collaborator on albums with Bumpy Knuckles, and the just-released PRhyme with Royce Da 5’9″. Additionally, Premier has produced full albums by Group Home and Jeru The Damaja. Previously, DJ Premier, as a solo artist, has only released beat compilations and DJ-hosted the 1997 compilation, Haze Presents: NY Reality Check 101. Additionally, Preemo’s label, Year Round Records, has 2015 plans on albums by longtime label artists NYGz, Texas MC Khaleel, former Chubb Rock and Dr. Dre protege The Lady Of Rage, and iconic Compton Rap pioneer MC Eiht.

January 7, 2015 | Published By Bandini The End Of An Era For Hardcore Hip-Hop…DJ Premier’s Studio Closes Its Doors Today Nas’ Illmatic recorded there. The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready To Die recorded there. Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt recorded there. And nearly every song by Gang Starr, in addition to every track produced by DJ Premier since 1992 was recorded there. Today, on January 7, 2015, Premo announced that D&D Studios a/k/a HeadQCourterz Studios will close its doors forever. To Hip-Hop Heads and lovers of music however, the industrial Midtown Manhattan mainstay will live on in the hearts and ears of many, on albums by Big Pun, Big L, Black Moon, Jeru The Damaja, Group Home, M.O.P., Bumpy Knuckles, Tony Touch, Jay, Nas, Biggie Smalls, Lord Finesse, Craig G, Dilated Peoples, Fat Joe, Das EFX, Showbiz & A.G., Cormega, Ludacris, Bun B, Edo G, Diamond D, O.C., Afu-Ra, Big Daddy Kane, Smif-n-Wessun, Just-Ice, Snoop Dogg, Doug E. Fresh, Slaughterhouse, KRS-One, Heltah Skeltah, Da Beatminerz, The Lady Of Rage, Heather B, O.G.C., Bahamadia, NYGz, Mad Lion, Teflon, Channel Live, Big Shug, Krumbsnatcha, and so forth. Sadly, the studio—which Premier has been physically removing for more than a week from the 37th Street building in the Garment District, is giving way to become luxury apartments. Premier, Premier now said to be headed to Queens’ Kaufman Astoria Studios, more hits are on the way, and HeadQCourterz moves with him. Salute to D&D, HeadQCourterz, Gang Starr, and the legends—living and beyond who made this Hip-Hop landmark so legendary… http://ambrosiaforheads.com/2015/01/the-end-of-an-era-for-hardcore-hip-hop-dd-headqcourterz-studios-closes-its-doors-today/