DJ Premier Blog » 2014 » November » 24

Royce Da 5’9″, DJ Premier & Adrian Younge Break Down Their “PRhyme” Project (Video)

Exclusive: R.I.P. D&D/HeadQCourterz Studios (1984 – 2014)

Fuck! Crazy news from 320 west 37th Street, Manhatten aka HeadQCourterz Studios, formerly known as the legendary D&D Studios. Exactly 30 years after D&D was founded by Douglas Grama and David Lotwin it has to close its doors. It’s known thanks to the artists that recorded music at the studios like Madonna, Dee-Lite, Foxy Brown, The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Jay-Z, Jeru The Damaja, KRS-One, Big L, Joe Budden, and Black Moon, among others. But its mostly known as the home studio of DJ Premier.

But in 2003 D&D closed and nobody was prepared to take it over except DJ Premier & Charles Roane, I remember him saying it was a risky choice because there was a lot of money involved and I think he even had to sell his house. But he followed his heart and bought it. I also remember he held in 2003 a big sale because it needed renovation for HeadQcourterz Studios. He renamed the studio to a fallen friend of him.

And now after 30 years some rich investor bought up the whole building to put apartments in it. Not many details are available but DJ Premier stays there till the end of 2014. And no word on what will happen with the studio next, but I’m sure this is not the end… Only the end at the legendary 320 west 37th Street. DJ Premier planning on leaving the building with a farewell documentary that goes along with an album. Would be dope with the former D&D artists on it! …Sad day for hip hop…

I wrote various articles about the studio in my blogging history, check:

History behind HeadQcourterz Studios

Tales From D&D Studios

HEAD UP EYES AND EARS OPEN, WORD IS BOND!!

DJ Premier Mentions BDP’s “Criminal Minded” as Best Album of All Time

Related: DJ Premier’s Top 20 Hip Hop Songs of 2013

PRhyme (DJ Premier & Royce da 5’9″) – Courtesy (Music Video)

Live From HeadQCourterz (09/26/2014)