Create DJ Premier-Inspired Classic Breakbeat & Hip-Hop

Keep it simple. We often emphasize this because it works. DJ Premier, a classic hip-hop producer, is known for his vocal stabs, chopped hip hop samples, and powerful breakbeats. Today, we'll show you how to make a DJ Premier-style track using old-school breakbeat elements and hip-hop vocal stabs – sourcing sounds from Sample Focus.

You Will Learn

• Chopping and arranging classic breakbeats (85-95 BPM)
• Create gritty, vintage-style basslines that complement your drums
• Layer and place vocal stabs for authentic DJ Premier energy
• Flip melodic samples into tight, repeating loops
• Mix and master your track for that raw yet polished 90s sound


Step 1: Find and Chop the Perfect Breakbeat

One of the key elements in a DJ Premier-style track is a solid breakbeat. Premier is known for taking raw drum loops from old records, chopping them up, and arranging them into fresh rhythms and hip hop beats.

How to Do It:

  • Sample Source: Start by digging for breakbeats from classic funk, jazz, or soul records. You can find royalty-free versions on Sample Focus.
  • Tempo Setting: DJ Premier’s tracks usually hover around 85-95 BPM, giving that steady groove. Set your project’s tempo to somewhere in this range.

In FL Studio or Ableton:

  1. Import the Breakbeat: Drag and drop the breakbeat sample into your DAW’s playlist or arrangement window.
  2. Chop the Break: Use Edison in FL Studio or Simpler/Sampler in Ableton to chop the drum loop into individual hits (kick, snare, hi-hat). Premier loves to rearrange chopped breaks.
  3. Rearrange the Drums: Create a new drum pattern by rearranging the chops. In FL Studio, use the Fruity Slicer to place your chops in the Step Sequencer or Piano Roll. In Ableton, trigger slices through MIDI in the arrangement window. Focus on keeping the raw energy of the original breakbeat while creating your own groove.

Tips:

  • Swing: Premier’s beats have a natural swing. In FL Studio, add swing to the Step Sequencer using the Swing Slider to loosen up the feel. In Ableton, apply groove settings.
  • Layering: Add additional kick or snare samples for more punch, but don’t overdo it—Premier’s beats are gritty not polished.
Break Beat
Break BEAT collection of audio samples. breakbeat, drums, and loop

Step 2: Add a Gritty Bassline

Look for basslines that complement the drums. The bass sits deep in the mix.

How to Do It:

  1. Sound Selection: Use a bass plugin that has a warm, vintage tone. In FL Studio, the Fruity DX10 or BooBass are good starting points. In Ableton, try using Operator for a simple sine wave bass or add a bit of saturation for a grittier tone.
  2. Bassline Creation: Write a simple, repetitive bassline that follows the root notes of your sample.
  3. Mixing the Bass: Use an EQ to cut around 150-200Hz to avoid muddiness and boost the sub frequencies (around 40-80Hz) for that low-end presence. Add some compression to tighten it up and sit with the kick.

Step 3: Find and Layer Vocal Stabs

Vocal stabs play a big part in DJ Premier’s signature sound. These are short vocal phrases – scratched or chopped – and help add some hype to your beat.

How to Do It:

  1. Find the Right Samples: Browse through Sample Focus or dig into old-school records for iconic phrases. Look for vocal stabs like "Yes, yes y’all" or "C’mon!"—anything that carries energy.
  2. Chop the Vocals: Import your vocal sample into Edison (FL Studio) or Simpler (Ableton). Chop out the key phrases you want to use and assign them to your MIDI keyboard or drum pad for easy triggering.

Placement and Effects:

  • Placement: Place your vocal stabs on the off-beats or at the end of a bar. It's important to have them at moments where the beat drops or between breaks in the track.
  • Effects: Add subtle effects to make the stabs pop. Use reverb to create space and delay for that classic echo effect at the end of phrases. Try using Fruity Scratcher in FL Studio or Grain Delay in Ableton to get a similar effect.

Pro Tip:

Premier’s vocal stabs often sound like they’ve been pulled from live performances or radio shoutouts. Layer multiple vocal cuts and pan them slightly left and right to make them stand out.

Oldschool Hip Hop Drums
Oldschool Hip-Hop Drums collection of audio samples. analog, drums, hip hop, loop, mixed, powerful, and vintage

Step 4: Add a Melodic Sample

Flipping samples also plays a major role in Premier's creativity. He’s known for chopping jazz or soul melodies into tight, repeating loops that drive his tracks forward.

How to Do It:

  1. Find a Sample: Look for a melodic sample from an old record. You want something in a minor key to give it a moody feel.
  2. Chop the Sample: Import your sample into Edison (FL Studio) or Simpler (Ableton). Chop it into pieces so you can rearrange or loop it to create something new.
  3. Rearrange: Lay your chops into the arrangement, creating a loop that works with the drums and bassline.

Effects:

  • Low-Pass Filter: Use a low-pass filter to take off some of the high end and make the sample feel vintage.
  • Reverb and Delay: Add reverb to give it some space and a slight delay for that old-school hip-hop feel.

Step 5: Mixing and Final Touches

Premier’s tracks always feel raw but polished at the same time. You want to make sure your beat hits hard but not sound exaggerated.

How to Do It:

  1. Mix the Drums: Start with your drums. Make sure the kick and snare are loud and punchy. Use compression to tighten them up and EQ to carve out space for the other elements. Boost around 60-100Hz for the kick’s low end, and 1-2kHz for the snare’s snap.
  2. Balance the Bass: Keep the bass deep but not overwhelming. Use sidechain compression on the bass triggered by the kick to avoid frequency clashes.
  3. Vocal Stabs: Pan your vocal stabs slightly and use EQ to make sure they cut through the mix without killing the melodic sample.

Mastering:

  • Apply light compression to glue everything together.
  • Use a limiter to increase the track’s loudness without causing distortion.
Hip Hop Kit
Hip-Hop Kit collection of audio samples. dry and hip hop

Recap

• Keep drums punchy with classic breakbeat chops and natural swing
• Let basslines sit deep in the mix with proper EQ (40-80Hz boost)
• Place vocal stabs strategically on off-beats with subtle effects
• Use minimal processing on samples to maintain vintage character
• Remember: simplicity and raw energy are key to the Premier style

Where to Find the Right Samples

  • Vocal Phrases: Tags like "hip-hop vocal," "vocal stabs," or "scratch-ready" will bring up usable, punchy phrases.
  • Breakbeat Drum Loops: Look for "breakbeat," "boom-bap," or "90s hip-hop" tagged loops to get classic drum patterns.
  • Chopped Melodies: Premier often uses short chopped instrumentals. Look for samples tagged with "soul," "jazz," or "vintage."

Arrangement

  • Intro: Start with a vocal stab or scratch.
  • Verse: Let the drums and chopped samples carry the beat, with vocal stabs hitting at key points.
  • Chorus: Use the vocal stabs as the hook or repeat key phrases from the verse. Keep the energy high with additional drum layers or hi-hat rolls.
  • Outro: End the track with a loop or fade out using scratches or vocal stabs.

Final Thoughts

To create a DJ Premier-style beat, focus on the right samples and rhythmic energy. Keep it simple. Let rhythm and vocal stabs stand out. Avoid overcomplicating the arrangement. Chop, layer, and sequence elements for the signature sound. Use EQ, compression, and saturation to blend it all together. With the techniques, you can honor a hip-hop legend and add your own modern twist.