Verysickbeats Breaks Down DJ Premier’s Triple Flip: When Legends Remix Themselves

Let’s be real, remixing your own classic joint is like putting ketchup on a $50 steak—most folks just wouldn’t dare. But DJ Premier? The man’s got guts. Verysickbeats kicks things off by spotlighting the anxiety and debate behind revisiting ‘New York State of Mind.’ Premier himself was hesitant, asking if the world even needed a third installment. That’s the kind of pressure that’ll make your MPC sweat.

It wasn’t just a random flex, either. Nas and Premier had to weigh which records deserved a revisit and which should be left untouched, like grandma’s secret pie recipe. The decision to sample Billy Joel for the new version? All Nas. Premier just had to trust the process and hope the beat gods were feeling generous. This wasn’t just about nostalgia—it was about pushing boundaries without burning down the house.

Verysickbeats gets surgical, breaking down the musical glue that holds all three versions of ‘New York State of Mind’ together. The wildest part? Every version runs at the same BPM—85, baby—which means you could mash them up like a DJ at a block party and they’d still slap. But it’s not just tempo; Premier threads a trumpet sample from Donald Byrd’s ‘Flight Time’ through each track, creating a signature vibe that’s unmistakable.

The key changes are where things get spicy. Part one is in C# minor, part two jumps to A-flat minor, and part three? Premier goes full mad scientist, blending both keys in the bass and strings. It’s like he’s making a musical mixtape out of his own catalog. This kind of craftsmanship is why heads still study Premier’s beats like they’re ancient scrolls.

Premier didn’t just roll out of bed and crank out another sequel—he felt the weight of hip-hop history on his shoulders. Verysickbeats highlights how Premier was straight-up nervous about messing with a classic, especially after the love part two got. The man was worried about fans thinking he’d ruined the original, and that’s a level of self-awareness you don’t always see in the game. But instead of playing it safe, Premier leaned into the challenge, reaching out to Billy Joel and experimenting with new sounds while keeping that signature boom-bap bounce.

You know a beat’s legendary when folks argue about it at the barbershop. Verysickbeats doesn’t sugarcoat it—some fans loved the new flip, others thought Premier was stuck in the past. Poll results showed most people were vibing with it, but there’s always a vocal crew who want every beat to sound like it’s 1994. The real takeaway? Premier’s not here to please everyone—he’s here to keep the culture moving, even if it means catching a little heat.