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Happy Birthday To DJ Jazzy Jeff!

Happy Birthday To DJ Jazzy Jeff!

The producer and DJ turns 52 today.

Josh Teal

Josh Teal

Here at LADbible, we like to give thanks to those who have contributed to our childhoods or early lives in some way. To many, Jeffrey Allen Townes, or DJ Jazzy Jeff, did just that, with his appearances on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and music. It's a major nostalgia hit.

Jeff first came onto the scene in 1985 as one-half of duo DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (lifelong friend/now biggest movie star on the planet) Will Smith. Over their career, they have won three Grammy's, three American Music Awards, two NAACP Awards and two Soul Train Music Awards, among others. They have sold over 10 million records worldwide.

Image: PA

In 1990, Jeff founded A Touch of Jazz Inc., an all-out production feat, with a studio comprising of four digital and analog rooms, and hosting a selection of vintage microphones, keyboards, and mixing equipment.

ATOJ was behind the famous theme to The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, one song on The Simpsons compilation album and the theme to the UPN Network's "Between Brothers." It also produced songs for Wild Wild West, Love Jones, The Wood and In Too Deep, working with the likes of Kenny Lattimore, Tatyana Ali, MC Lyte and Darius Rucker.

Image: PA

Jeff is the mastermind producer behind Will Smith's first solo album and his second Willenium.

Although he and Smith have more or less now gone their separate ways, they remain close, and even appear together now and then, most famously on The Graham Norton Show in 2013.

When we spoke to him last year in newly-deceased Manchester club Sankey's (RIP), he told us he would more be than happy for a Fresh Prince reunion of some kind, saying: "If everyone would do it, I'd do it!" and that he would gladly do another album with Will Smith as well as tour the world. "We always talk about it. It's just scheduling. He's a lot busier than I am. Well, he's a different kind of busy," Jeff said.

He also explained where he got the name from:

"My name (Jeffrey Allen Townes) was too long. You used to have to get your name written on your shirt but I couldn't afford it. So I shortened it to Jazzy Jeff."

Image: PA

When we asked what he had in store for the foreseeable future, he seemed to be very content with his current bearings.

"I never had goals," he said. "I just wanted to play music and wanted people to have a good time. I don't try to set myself up for failures. Like, I'm in the back of a taxi and all I'm doing is enjoying the ride. So whenever he kicks me out, I'm good. I told my agent I want to play for everybody on the earth. Like, I don't care if they can't afford it, I want to play for the kids in the jungle. If we can make it happen, let's do it. Although there are a couple of places I won't go, because I hate bugs 'n' shit. But I want to play for everyone in the world."

Happy Birthday, Jeff.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Will Smith