T.R.O.Y. - A Timeless Tribute

DJ Universe

Yo, yo, yo! What's good, family? It's your boy DJ Universe, and let me just say—welcome back to *Tha Dream Hustle Podcast*. We’re here to vibe, to learn, to grow, and today? Oh, man, we’re takin’ it back. We’re talkin’ about a track that really holds the weight—the emotion, the history, the culture. I’m talkin’ about *TROY—They Reminisce Over You* by the one-and-only Pete Rock and C L Smooth.

DJ Universe

Now, lemme tell you, this is more than just a song. It's, like, a timeless piece of hip-hop history—a masterclass in storytelling that cuts right through, straight to your heart. You feel what I’m sayin'? It’s got that raw emotion that only comes from something real—something lived, you know what I mean?

DJ Universe

And here's the thing—it’s not just about the music; it’s about the legacy. It’s about how one track can capture a moment, a memory, and still resonate decades later. Who else can do that, right? So, strap in, y’all, 'cause we’re diving deep into why this masterpiece still hits every single time you press play.

DJ Universe

Alright, so check it—hip-hop in the '90s was transformative. It wasn’t just music; it was our truth, our voice, our everything. But along with all the highs, man, there were lows too. Like, heavy ones. And and this? This is one of those moments that hit the whole community hard. I’m talkin' about the loss of Troy 'Trouble T. Roy' Dixon.

DJ Universe

Trouble T. Roy, man, he was part of Heavy D and the Boyz. That crew had the vibes, the energy—you know, songs that made you feel good. But when Troy passed unexpectedly, it left—like—this huge void. It wasn’t just one of the fellas; he was family, you know what I mean? A brother. And and when you lose someone like that? It’s like the whole world stops for a minute.

DJ Universe

Pete Rock and C L Smooth, they felt that loss deep. It's that kind of pain that doesn’t stay quiet—it has to come out, somehow, some way. And that's what they did; they channeled all that love, that grief, into something real. They created *They Reminisce Over You.* A tribute that was personal, yet it spoke to millions. Like, you didn’t just hear it; you felt it.

DJ Universe

And here’s what’s wild—it’s not just a track about loss. It’s like a celebration, too. A way to keep Troy’s name, his memory, alive forever. I mean, that’s powerful, right? To take something so painful and turn it into something timeless.

DJ Universe

So let’s talk about what makes this track hit different—the sound. Pete Rock, man, this guy is a genius. Like, the way he builds this beat? It’s got that soul, that melancholy—it stays with you. He takes this sample from Tom Scott’s *‘Today’*—you know, that saxophone riff that’s so haunting, it’s like it sinks right into your chest.

DJ Universe

And and this is the thing about Pete—he’s not just making beats; he’s crafting an emotion, a vibe. That saxophone? It’s not just there to sound nice. It creates this atmosphere that, like, wraps around C L Smooth’s lyrics. It’s like they’re working in perfect harmony. You know what I’m sayin’?

DJ Universe

That blend of jazz and hip-hop? It wasn’t common back then. This was the early '90s, right? And Pete was out here setting the standard—not just creating a beat, but a whole new lane for jazz rap. The sound is timeless; it’s like you play it now and it still feels fresh, like it just dropped yesterday.

DJ Universe

Honestly, that’s what separates legends from the rest. Taking something old, like that jazz sample, and flipping it into something completely new, completely theirs. It’s art—it’s hip-hop at its finest. And and that’s what makes this track unforgettable, you feel me?

DJ Universe

Now, let’s dive into C L Smooth's verses. Man, his pen game is something else—like, when he writes, it’s not just words on a beat. It’s a picture, a memory, a whole mood. C L? He’s takin’ you on a journey. Every line feels personal, like you’re walking through his life, you feel me?

DJ Universe

He talks about family struggles, yeah, but not in a way that's distant. It’s close, it’s real. You hear him reflect on the weight of growing up, the people he’s loved and lost, especially that pain of losing a close friend. You can feel it in lines like... man, it’s like the words slice through you but at the same time, they heal you. It’s wild like that.

DJ Universe

And that’s the thing—his delivery? It’s raw, it’s vulnerable. No filters. When you hear C L, it’s like, you can see the scene he’s describing, you feel the emotions he’s pouring out. He’s not just rappin’; he’s connecting. That’s a whole different level right there.

DJ Universe

It’s that authenticity, you know? That willingness to talk about things that most people try to brush off. It’s what lets the listener feel every single word. It’s why this track doesn’t just hit—it stays with you.

DJ Universe

Alright, so let’s step back and talk about what makes *TROY* more than just a dope track—what makes it, like, culture-defining. This song? It’s one of those rare gems that doesn’t just land—it leaves a mark. Decades later, it’s still here, still living in people's playlists, their hearts, their memories.

DJ Universe

You wanna talk accolades? How about this—*Rolling Stone* put it in their '50 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time,' sittin’ pretty at number twelve. And, I mean, when you hear it, it’s no surprise, right? That’s the kinda respect this track holds. It’s like, the blueprint, the gold standard for raw authenticity in the rap game. Something that made people sit up and go, yeah, hip-hop can do that.

DJ Universe

But, of course, with all that greatness comes... well, conversations. You know what I’m sayin’? Like in 2012, when Lupe Fiasco tapped into that same saxophone sample for *'Around My Way (Freedom Ain’t Free).'* Now, don’t get it twisted—Lupe’s track was fire. But Pete Rock? He had some things to say, and and it sparked this whole dialogue about originality, about respecting the artistry of those who paved the way.

DJ Universe

Thing is, though, that’s how you know a track like *TROY* has real weight. It’s not just a song—it’s a standard. It forces everyone who touches it, or even gets inspired by it, to reckon with what it means to pay tribute versus truly innovate. And that’s how you know this joint—it ain’t goin’ anywhere.

DJ Universe

Now, let’s talk about what makes *They Reminisce Over You*—man, this is one of those songs that just never fades. You hear that first note, and boom—you’re back. Back in your feelings, back in your head, back in those moments that defined you. And it doesn’t matter if it’s your first time hearing it or your hundredth. It hits every single time, like it's brand-new.

DJ Universe

See, music like this isn’t just about the sound. It’s about the emotion, the story behind it. This track? It’s like an open letter—written with love, loss, and reflection. And when you listen, you feel all of that. It’s like Pete and C L are sayin’, hey, we’ve been through it too. You’re not alone. And and that’s the beauty of it—it connects. It speaks to you where you’re at.

DJ Universe

And here’s what really blows my mind—this track came out in 1992, but it still resonates today. Why? Because it’s real. You know, there’s no fluff, no cap. It’s raw, it’s honest, and that kind of truth doesn’t age. That’s why new generations keep coming back to it, keep finding pieces of themselves within it. I mean, that’s what art is supposed to do, right? To last, to transcend time.

DJ Universe

But it’s also bittersweet, you know? It’s a track rooted in grief, in saying goodbye to someone who meant so much. Yet, at the same time, it’s about celebrating life—the memories, the love. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there’s light, there’s beauty. And that balance? That’s what makes it timeless.

DJ Universe

As we wrap up, family, let’s take a moment to reflect on what *TROY* really leaves us with. It’s more than a song—it’s a blueprint, a reminder to keep it real in everything we do. Like, when we’re true to who we are, when we put our heart, our soul into our craft? That’s when we create something that lasts, something that matters. Just like this track.

DJ Universe

It’s wild to think about, right? A song born from grief and love, speaking across generations, making you feel seen, heard, connected. That’s the power of authenticity, man—of taking life’s struggles and turning them into something beautiful, something timeless.

DJ Universe

So I wanna say thank you. Thank you for vibin’ with me, for diving deep into this journey through one of hip-hop's most cherished treasures. Y’all already know, this ain’t just about music—it’s about the memories, the hustle, and the love that shape us into who we are.

DJ Universe

Alright, that’s it for today, my people. Keep dreaming big, hustling hard, and remembering those who inspire us to be better every single day. This is DJ Universe, signing off. One love!