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DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

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Data updated on 2025-08-02 22:35:05 UTC
To many present-day listeners, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince are best-remembered for launching the superstar music/acting career of the latter, now known by his real name of Will Smith. In their heyday, however, the Philadelphia duo played a major role in making rap music accessible to pop audiences, as well as younger listeners. Smith's raps were never anything more than PG-rated, and his genial, winning personality came through in the good-humored stories that many of his best raps wove. His partner, Jeff Townes, was one of Philadelphia's best DJs, an inventive scratcher who provided appropriately playful backdrops. At a time when rap wanted to establish itself as the authentic voice of the streets, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince were often ridiculed as bubblegum kiddie rap -- they weren't aggressive, outraged, gritty, or urban enough to fit the prevailing hip-hop fashion of the time. However, in hindsight, it's clear that the duo's appeal was a natural result of simply being themselves, not from pandering to middle-class youth or posing as something they weren't. That's why the best of their work still sounds lively, full of youthful energy and breezy wit, and ranks as some of the most infectious pop-rap of its time.

DJ Jazzy Jeff (born Jeffrey Townes, January 22, 1965) and the Fresh Prince (born Willard Smith, September 25, 1968) got together in 1986, when they performed together at a house party after years of separately pursuing hip-hop around the Philadelphia area. Later that year, they performed at the New Music Seminar, where Jeff placed first in the DJ competition; the attention helped them land a record deal with Jive and the Fresh Prince turned down his acceptance into M.I.T. Their first single, "Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble," was built around a sample of the theme from "I Dream of Jeannie," and the humorous video began to build the duo an audience through MTV. It helped their 1987-released debut album, Rock the House, go gold and set the stage for their breakthrough success with the 1988 follow-up He's the D.J., I'm the Rapper. One of the first double-LP sets in rap history (thanks to a number of tracks showcasing Jeff's turntable artistry), it also became one of the genre's biggest sellers up to that point, moving more than 2.5 million copies after the comic video for "Parents Just Don't Understand" became a runaway hit on MTV. A playful riff on the generation gap, "Parents Just Don't Understand" hit number 12 on the singles charts, went gold, and won the first-ever rap Grammy; the duo toured extensively behind it, aided in their dealings with concert promoters by their non-threatening image.

Hip-hop, however, was an extraordinarily difficult field in which to sustain career momentum. Even though it was released only a year later, And in This Corner... failed to generate nearly as much attention -- despite going gold -- partly because the lead single, "I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson," failed to catch fire. The album was also hurt by a rapidly changing hip-hop climate; De La Soul's rapturously received debut, 3 Feet High and Rising, had succeeded in bringing positivity and humor to hip-hop with less of a comic-novelty flavor and seemingly countless new pop-rap fads were springing up by the minute. Fortunately, Smith's performances in the duo's videos had attracted notice in the television world. Convinced of Smith's potential to become a warm, charismatic, clean-cut star in the acting world, NBC gave him a starring role in a sitcom named after his rap persona, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, which followed a young Philadelphian sent to live with his rich relatives in California to keep out of trouble. Although Smith wasn't yet a seasoned actor, executives were correct about his comic appeal and the show became a hit, running for six seasons; Townes was given a recurring role as Smith's character's street-wise friend (aptly dubbed Jazz).

Although Smith had taken a hiatus from DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince to concentrate on getting his sitcom off the ground, the duo reconvened in 1991, buoyed by their increased visibility. Featuring more outside productions, Homebase returned Townes and Smith to the platinum sales mark and produced their biggest hit ever in the warm, laid-back party tune "Summertime," where Smith nostalgically reminisced about summers growing up in Philadelphia in a way that appealed to listeners of all ages. "Summertime" became their first and only Top Five pop hit, peaking at number four. A follow-up LP, Code Red, was released in 1993, but didn't sell very well at all in the U.S.; oddly, the single "Boom! Shake the Room" became their first number one hit in the U.K. Nonetheless, Smith decided to focus full-time on his acting career, appearing in the critically acclaimed Six Degrees of Separation (also in 1993). Proving he could cut it on the big screen, Smith went on to star in numerous big-budget Hollywood blockbusters, including Independence Day, Men in Black, Enemy of the State, Wild Wild West, and Ali (the latter of which earned him an Oscar nomination); he also returned to music as a solo artist, selling millions more albums than he did with DJ Jazzy Jeff thanks to his enormous exposure. Townes, meanwhile, formed a production company called A Touch of Jazz, and worked as a producer and mixer for several hip-hop and R&B artists (including a few of Smith's solo cuts). ~ Steve Huey, Rovi

Total plays

397.6 million
Updated on 2025-08-02

Country

United States

Monthly listeners

1,823,672

Followers

420,621

Top Cities

  1. United Kingdom
    25,706 listeners
  2. Australia
    20,155 listeners
  3. Netherlands
    25,061 listeners
  4. United States
    21,731 listeners
  5. United States
    20,205 listeners

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Tag Team
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Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
130,914,602 2:56 1998-01-01
Summertime
Summertime
122,036,210 4:32 1991-01-01
Summertime - Single Edit
Summertime - Single Edit
41,975,542 3:58 2006-06-05
Boom! Shake the Room
Boom! Shake the Room
37,187,214 3:46 1993-10-12
A Nightmare on My Street
A Nightmare on My Street
19,325,110 4:55 1988-03-29
Parents Just Don't Understand - Single Edit
Parents Just Don't Understand - Single Edit
10,370,421 5:12 1988-03-29
Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble - 1988 Extended Remix
Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble - 1988 Extended Remix
8,470,075 4:51 1987-12-18
Brand New Funk
Brand New Funk
4,008,891 4:04 1988-03-29
A Nightmare On My Street
A Nightmare On My Street
2,273,106 6:10 1988-03-29
Parents Just Don't Understand
Parents Just Don't Understand
1,200,126 5:37 1988-03-29
I'm Looking For The One (To Be With Me)
I'm Looking For The One (To Be With Me)
1,026,762 4:35 1993-10-12
Pump Me Up
Pump Me Up
964,814 4:05 1999-11-16
Ring My Bell
Ring My Bell
948,425 4:45 1991-07-09
Summertime - DJ Jazzy Jeff's Mix
Summertime - DJ Jazzy Jeff's Mix
794,325 5:39 2017-01-13
A Touch of Jazz
A Touch of Jazz
725,100 3:19 1987-12-18
I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson
I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson
723,237 4:49 1989-10-31
You Saw My Blinker
You Saw My Blinker
627,661 4:14 1991-07-09
I'm All That
I'm All That
532,419 3:44 1991-07-09
Yo Home to Bel-Air - Extended Version
Yo Home to Bel-Air - Extended Version
520,627 5:22 2017-01-13
Summertime '98 - Soul Power Remix
Summertime '98 - Soul Power Remix
504,622 4:51 1998-01-01
Summertime - Extended Club Mix
Summertime - Extended Club Mix
481,346 5:43 2017-01-13
Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble
Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble
470,307 5:06 2006-06-05
Ring My Bell - Mr. Lee Radio Mix
Ring My Bell - Mr. Lee Radio Mix
469,559 4:06 1991-07-09
Time to Chill
Time to Chill
400,150 4:25 1988-03-29
Here We Go Again
Here We Go Again
385,847 4:01 1988-03-29
The Magnificent Jazzy Jeff
The Magnificent Jazzy Jeff
364,360 5:24 1987-12-18
The Things That U Do
The Things That U Do
352,911 4:56 1991-07-09
Can't Wait To Be With You
Can't Wait To Be With You
307,738 3:52 1993-10-12
I Wanna Rock
I Wanna Rock
301,445 6:19 1993-10-12
Rock The House
Rock The House
295,513 4:21 1987-12-18
He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper
He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper
295,484 6:14 1988-03-29
He's The D.J. I'm The Rapper - Edit
He's The D.J. I'm The Rapper - Edit
295,484 4:56 1988-03-29
Lovely Daze - Candyhill Mix
Lovely Daze - Candyhill Mix
290,407 4:24 1998-01-01
Pump Up the Bass
Pump Up the Bass
271,199 5:14 1988-03-29
Code Red
Code Red
259,384 3:30 1993-10-12
Charlie Mack (The First Out the Limo)
Charlie Mack (The First Out the Limo)
255,279 4:46 1988-03-29
Just One Of Those Days
Just One Of Those Days
248,094 5:45 1987-12-18
Somethin' Like Dis
Somethin' Like Dis
241,206 4:08 1993-10-12
This Boy Is Smooth
This Boy Is Smooth
233,041 4:59 1991-07-09
Summertime - Instrumental
Summertime - Instrumental
230,829 4:30 2017-01-13
As We Go - Edit
As We Go - Edit
220,222 5:34 1988-03-29
I Wanna Rock - Radio Edit
I Wanna Rock - Radio Edit
212,992 4:19 1999-08-16
I'm Looking for the One (To Be with Me)
I'm Looking for the One (To Be with Me)
206,843 3:42 1999-08-16
Summertime (Reprise)
Summertime (Reprise)
205,713 2:05 1991-07-09
Boom! Shake The Room - Street Remix
Boom! Shake The Room - Street Remix
193,879 4:34 1993-10-12
Jazzy's Groove
Jazzy's Groove
192,665 3:43 1989-10-31
Then She Bit Me
Then She Bit Me
175,555 3:36 1989-10-31
1998 - Clean Radio Edit
1998 - Clean Radio Edit
174,217 3:43 1998-01-01
Who Stole My Car?
Who Stole My Car?
173,156 4:57 1989-10-31
Just Kickin' It
Just Kickin' It
169,457 4:11 1993-10-12
A Dog Is A Dog
A Dog Is A Dog
159,755 4:29 1991-07-09
The Girlie Had A Mustache
The Girlie Had A Mustache
155,671 4:32 1989-10-31
The Things That U Do - Hula Radio Remix
The Things That U Do - Hula Radio Remix
152,632 4:09 1999-08-16
Caught In The Middle - Love and Life
Caught In The Middle - Love and Life
149,567 4:20 1991-07-09
The Groove (Jazzy's Groove) (feat. Grover Washington, Jr.) - Single Version
The Groove (Jazzy's Groove) (feat. Grover Washington, Jr.) - Single Version
149,342 4:33 2006-06-05
Twinkle Twinkle (I'm Not A Star)
Twinkle Twinkle (I'm Not A Star)
146,830 5:24 1993-10-12
Trapped On The Dance Floor
Trapped On The Dance Floor
144,559 5:19 1991-07-09
Rhythm Trax (House Party Style)
Rhythm Trax (House Party Style)
131,872 4:41 1988-03-29
Live at Union Square, November 1986 - Live
Live at Union Square, November 1986 - Live
129,157 4:07 1988-03-29
The Magnificent Jazzy Jeff - single edit
The Magnificent Jazzy Jeff - single edit
128,885 4:07 2006-06-05
I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson - Radio Mix
I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson - Radio Mix
125,030 4:56 2006-06-05
Who Stole The DJ
Who Stole The DJ
117,232 4:50 1991-07-09
Dumb Dancin'
Dumb Dancin'
113,638 4:55 1991-07-09
Ain't No Place Like Home
Ain't No Place Like Home
113,003 5:08 1993-10-12
Hip Hop Dancer's Theme - Edit
Hip Hop Dancer's Theme - Edit
110,350 2:56 1988-03-29
Let's Get Busy Baby
Let's Get Busy Baby
109,930 4:17 1988-03-29
Guys Ain't Nothing But Trouble (feat. Ice Cream Tee)
Guys Ain't Nothing But Trouble (feat. Ice Cream Tee)
109,611 4:31 1987-12-18
Human Video Game - Edit
Human Video Game - Edit
108,748 4:14 1988-03-29
Jeff Waz On The Beat Box
Jeff Waz On The Beat Box
99,860 5:42 1989-10-31
The Reverend
The Reverend
99,208 4:32 1989-10-31
Too Damn Hype
Too Damn Hype
96,195 5:41 1989-10-31
Taking It To The Top
Taking It To The Top
92,946 5:23 1987-12-18
My Buddy
My Buddy
91,429 3:45 1988-03-29
Scream
Scream
82,403 4:31 1993-10-12
Shadow Dreams
Shadow Dreams
81,245 4:04 1993-10-12
DJ On Wheels - Edit
DJ On Wheels - Edit
75,398 2:44 1988-03-29
Everything That Glitters (Ain't Always Gold)
Everything That Glitters (Ain't Always Gold)
73,645 4:18 1989-10-31
Jazzy's In The House - Edit
Jazzy's In The House - Edit
70,526 3:02 1988-03-29
Just Rockin'
Just Rockin'
70,126 5:03 1987-12-18
Don't Even Try It
Don't Even Try It
65,271 5:29 1987-12-18
Numero Uno
Numero Uno
62,887 4:09 1989-10-31
You Got It (Donut)
You Got It (Donut)
59,131 4:56 1989-10-31
Brand New Funk - Extended Remix
Brand New Funk - Extended Remix
53,149 4:43 1988-03-29
Summertime - Summertime Still Remix
Summertime - Summertime Still Remix
48,218 5:31 1991-01-01
The Men Of Your Dreams
The Men Of Your Dreams
45,326 4:52 1989-10-31
Ring My Bell - DJ Jazzy Jeff's Radio Remix
Ring My Bell - DJ Jazzy Jeff's Radio Remix
41,983 3:35 2017-01-13
Special Announcement
Special Announcement
34,291 1:47 1987-12-18
Nightmare on 4th Street (feat. Freddie Cruger, Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince)
Nightmare on 4th Street (feat. Freddie Cruger, Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince)
33,842 2:04 2018-03-30
DJ On the Wheels
DJ On the Wheels
31,601 3:26 1988-03-29
The Things That U Do - Totally Bumpin' Vocal
The Things That U Do - Totally Bumpin' Vocal
29,371 4:48 2017-01-13
Another Special Announcement
Another Special Announcement
28,722 2:12 1988-03-29
As We Go
As We Go
26,844 6:04 1988-03-29
Summertime - Soleful Summer Remix
Summertime - Soleful Summer Remix
21,384 4:52 1991-01-01
Summertime - Extended Bass Mix
Summertime - Extended Bass Mix
18,195 5:35 2017-01-13
Human Video Game
Human Video Game
15,824 5:40 1988-03-29
Hip Hop Dancer's Theme
Hip Hop Dancer's Theme
15,752 3:52 1988-03-29
Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble - Single Version
Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble - Single Version
15,730 4:41 1988-03-29
Brand New Funk - Live at Nassau Coliseum
Brand New Funk - Live at Nassau Coliseum
14,231 4:37 1988-03-29
Ring My Bell - 7" Album Edit
Ring My Bell - 7" Album Edit
13,674 3:46 2017-01-13
Twinkle, Twinkle (I'm Not A Star) - UK Flavour Radio Edit
Twinkle, Twinkle (I'm Not A Star) - UK Flavour Radio Edit
10,921 4:11 1999-08-16
Can't Wait To Be With You (feat. Christopher Williams) - Brixton Flavour Radio Mix
Can't Wait To Be With You (feat. Christopher Williams) - Brixton Flavour Radio Mix
10,229 3:49 1999-08-16
Jazzy's In the House
Jazzy's In the House
10,161 4:13 1988-03-29
You Saw My Blinker - Lynn Tolliver's Radio Edit
You Saw My Blinker - Lynn Tolliver's Radio Edit
9,706 3:58 2017-01-13
Ring My Bell - Mr. Lee Club Mix
Ring My Bell - Mr. Lee Club Mix
9,450 5:27 2017-01-13
A Nightmare On My Street - Instrumental
A Nightmare On My Street - Instrumental
8,806 6:10 1988-03-29
Brand New Funk - Instrumental
Brand New Funk - Instrumental
8,445 4:13 1988-03-29
The Things That U Do - House Mix
The Things That U Do - House Mix
7,835 4:45 2017-01-13
Ring My Bell - Hula & K. Fingers Club Mix
Ring My Bell - Hula & K. Fingers Club Mix
7,679 5:48 2017-01-13
The Things That U Do - Club Mix
The Things That U Do - Club Mix
7,281 4:44 2017-01-13
Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble - Instrumental Remix
Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble - Instrumental Remix
7,183 4:40 1988-03-29
Parents Just Don't Understand - Instrumental
Parents Just Don't Understand - Instrumental
6,784 5:35 1988-03-29
Ring My Bell - Hula & K. Fingers Radio Mix
Ring My Bell - Hula & K. Fingers Radio Mix
6,184 3:39 2017-01-13
Ring My Bell - DJ Jazzy Jeff's Street Mix
Ring My Bell - DJ Jazzy Jeff's Street Mix
6,158 5:10 2017-01-13
The Things That U Do - Vic's Drum Interlude
The Things That U Do - Vic's Drum Interlude
5,989 3:26 2017-01-13
The Things That U Do - Underground Mix
The Things That U Do - Underground Mix
5,870 5:16 2017-01-13
Brand New Funk - Single Edit
Brand New Funk - Single Edit
5,793 4:02 1988-03-29
I'm Looking for the One (To Be With Me) - 12' Mix
I'm Looking for the One (To Be With Me) - 12' Mix
5,204 5:25 2015-10-16
Ring My Bell - DJ Jazzy Jeff's Street Instrumental
Ring My Bell - DJ Jazzy Jeff's Street Instrumental
4,864 5:11 2017-01-13
The Things That U Do - Totally Bumpin' Instrumental
The Things That U Do - Totally Bumpin' Instrumental
4,728 4:50 2017-01-13
I'm Looking For The One - Extended
I'm Looking For The One - Extended
2,641 5:26 1999-01-24

New releases

Homebase: The Remixes
Homebase: The Remixes
2017-01-13
[Jive/Legacy]
The Very Best Of D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
The Very Best Of D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
2006-06-06
[Jive/Legacy]
The Very Best Of D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
The Very Best Of D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
2006-06-05
[Jive/Legacy]
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
2003-09-01
[Jive]
Platinum & Gold Collection
Platinum & Gold Collection
2003-07-09
[Jive]
Collections
Collections
2003-01-31
[Sony BMG Music Entertainment]
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
1999-08-16
[Jive]
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
1998-01-01
[Jive]
Code Red
Code Red
1993-10-12
[Jive]
Homebase
Homebase
1991-07-09
[Jive]
Summertime
Summertime
1991-01-01
[Jive]
And In This Corner...
And In This Corner...
1989-10-31
[Jive]
He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper (Expanded Edition)
He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper (Expanded Edition)
1988-03-29
[Jive/Legacy]
He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper
He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper
1988-03-29
[Jive]
Rock The House
Rock The House
1987-12-18
[Jive]