DJ Premier returns with another episode of his Youtube series “So Wassup?” where he tells the stories about some of his most iconic singles throughout his prolific career. This time, he gives the backstory of the creation of the timeless “Mass Appeal” by Gang Starr.
The 1994 record was the lead single from the group’s fourth studio album, Hard to Earn. The record was produced after the rest of the album was finished, something that DJ Premer says he does with every album to make sure the single is fresh and ready for the streets. “We don’t do the singles until everything else is done; that’s always been our way,” Preemo explains. “We want the singles to be fresh out the over straight to your ears.”
The group wanted a mainstream hit that still “sounded good to the streets”. Preemo decided to samples the drum break on EPMD’s “You’re a Customer” as well as Pete Rock’s remix of Da Youngsta’s “Pass Da Mic,” taking from the lyrics, “Money’s growing like grass with the mass appeal”.
From there, it was history. It was one of the first radio records that Gang Starr has had in his career, the banger still rocking crowds to this day.