In this episode of "People's Party With Talib Kweli," Kweli and Jasmin Leigh sit down with rapper, writer, DJ, and producer:

LORD FINESSE

Here's what we got into with one of D.I.T.C.'s finest:

• Large Professor being one of Finesse's biggest mentors coming up.
• How his Bronx neighborhood of Forest Hills was similar to a village.
• Entering himself in the New Music Seminar to battle the best.
• 'Funky Technician' being the spark that formed the D.I.T.C. crew.
• His longtime friendship with fellow D.I.T.C. member Diamond D.
• DJ Mike Smooth who he looked up to like a big brother.
• Talib relating to Finesse's history of freestyling at school lunch tables.
• Finesse's signature compound rhyme scheme of using three syllables.
• What rappers inspired Finesse the most while growing up.
• Where Finesse's knack for clever and comedic punch-lines stems from.
• 'Funky Technician' being Finesse finding his way and paying tribute to his heroes.
• Guru picking his demo tape while acting as A&R for Wild Pitch Records.
• Finesse's first encounter with Big L during an autograph signing.
• Being blown away by how polished Big L was at such a young age.
• Becoming a fully fledged producer, giving 5 tracks to Big L for his debut.
• The lead up to Finesse's producing for Biggie on 'Suicidal Thoughts.'
• Why Finesse's third effort 'The Awakening' was his most personal album.
• Getting the opportunity to work with jazz great Roy Ayers on 'Soul Plan.'
• Record companies pushing artists to portray false images.
• Working with a young Capone-N-Noreaga and producing 'Channel 10.'
• Fat Boy Slim's sampling of Finesse for the smash hit 'The Rockafeller Skank.'
• Fellow D.I.T.C. member Fat Joe and his doing what it took to become a star.
• Finesse producing one of Dr. Dre's most introspective songs, 'The Message.'
• Finesse's philosophical side is explored about passion and purpose.
• What made the 90's so special and wanting to see hop hop evolve.

Listen to "No Fear of Time" Black Star's first album in 24 years. Only on Luminary. https://luminary.link/nofearoftime

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90's Hip Hop ▶️ http://bit.ly/90sHipHopPlaylist
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PEOPLE'S PARTY WITH TALIB KWELI

People's Party is a weekly interview show hosted by Talib Kweli and Jasmin Leigh. Guests range from the biggest names in hip-hop to global entertainers to the most progressive minds moving our culture forward. The audio podcast is available on Apple and Spotify.