Pete Rock and DJ Premier are in the running, alongside J Dilla and Dre, for having the most impressive and influential production discography in hip-hop. Their work defined the sound of the 1990s and gave New York, plagued by inner-city crime, a new voice.

Opening for these two greats is probably one of the hardest jobs in hip-hop, but Retrospek did an excellent job. In order to satisfy the boom-bap musical landscape of the night, Boston’s finest peppered their set with old hits like Throw Your Hands Up. Fresh off new projects, Retro mostly played tracks off of Spenda’s new record with DJ Evilldewer and Sleepwalker’s Remedy. Retropsek’s opening set perfectly prepped the stage for hip-hop gods by bridging old and new.

DJ Turnament filled the void before the main event playing 90s classics from the Bean, including Ed OG, Scientifik, House of Pain and, of course, Guru. Turnament perfectly readied the crowd for a  night of nostalgic throwbacks. After his set, Premo and The Chocolate Boy Wonder did not waste time setting up. Unlike other DJs, Premier and Pete Rock still set up all their own equipment (the switch from vinyl to Serato made it easier).

Once set up, Premier asked the crowd a simple question, “Do y’all like soul music?” The crowd immediately responded in a chorus of screams and “yuh!” Just as quick, James Brown was played. Premier and Pete Rock battled soul music breakbeats at breakneck speeds cutting and scratching the records to the bone to reveal the essence of hip-hop.

Next on their list was the start of hip-hop. They took everyone from Biz Markie and Big Daddy Kane to Audio Two and RUN-DMC. The 80s set was my favorite part as I got to scream loud about pickin boogers.

Of course those who packed MidEast downstairs from wall to wall were there to hear the 90s from the two who created it. The two did not disappoint. Premier played Pete Rock and Pete Rock played Premier, battling record for record. From the INI and Group Home to Gang Starr and CL Smooth they covered everything. Hip-hop heads in attendance recited every lyric flawlessly and punched their fists right on cue with bass hits.

The entire set lasted just over an hour ending with the ubiquitous They Reminisce Over You. The choice of T.R.O.Y. seemed to be not only a gesture to Pete Rock’s fallen friend but a notice to the bygone era of unlaced Timbs and Rudy Giuliani. The crooning echoes of TROY’s trumpets left the MidEast the perfect departure sound as the gods left the building.