DJ Jazzy Jeff

Born Jeffrey Townes in West Philadelphia, DJ Jazzy Jeff became a celebrated turntablist on the city's party circuit as a teenager, pioneering the "transformer" scratch before partnering with a young Will Smith to form DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.

The duo brought lighthearted, radio-friendly hip-hop to the mainstream with hits like "Parents Just Don't Understand" and "Summertime," and Jeff sustained a long career as a globally respected DJ, producer, and curator of soul-driven club culture.

He and Smith won the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989, and Jeff remains revered among DJs as one of the most skilled and influential turntablists of all time.

DJ Jazzy Jeff helped take hip-hop to mainstream and global audiences while elevating the artistry and craft of the DJ.