January 02, 2021

Gang Starr "Don't Be A Dick, Play DWYCK!" (1992)


According to DJ Premier in an interview with Rolling Stone, "This was originally the B-side to [1992’s] “Take It Personal.” It became a super-hit so we told EMI, “Let’s put it on Daily Operation.” We go to re-release the album [with "DWYCK" on it] and the label changed their minds and said, “Naw, we’re just going to leave it as a 12-inch.” People were mad like, “Yo, I bought your album and "DWYCK" ain’t on there!” So we put it on [1994’s] Hard to Earn so people could just get a Gang Starr album that had it. It was our “return the favor” record to Nice and Smooth because we were on their “Down the Line” record. "DWYCK" took offf. I went to Cypress Projects in East New York and that’s grimy and dangerous over there. I pulled up and it seemed like the whole neighborhood was like, “Yes, our hero!” Every car was playing it.'" Personally, I remember when Billboard first reviewed "Take It Personal" in May, 1992 - they said, "Flip the tape over and feast on a second tasty treat, "DWYCK," which has an appearance by Nice & Smooth." Despite not being on Daily Operation, when Billboard later reviewed the LP, Lindsey Williams (EMI) said, "You couldn't go anywhere in places from New York to L.A. to down South without hearing it." As "Take It Personal" was losing its buzz, they decided to take advantage of the b-side, DWYCK. "What I did was make a cheap $14,000 video for it before going into "Ex Girl Next Girl," which was always going to be the single." The B-side wins again, "DWYCK" is still a classic! That was $14K well spent, revisit it below...


Here's the original button/pin with the "DWYCK" slogan...