DJ Premier on Producing ‘Can I Kick It?’ Cover With Samara Cyn for MLS Campaign: ‘I’m Not Trying to Outdo Tribe’s, But I Don’t Want Mine to Sound Wack’
Categoria: Musica
The MLS returns to action on July 16.
Por Billboard | 13/07/2026
A Tribe Called Quest’s “Can I Kick It?” remains one of hip-hop’s signature call-and-response anthems, with a refrain that’s long been embedded in the DNA of music culture. Despite never entering the Billboard Hot 100 , “Can I Kick It?” boasts an enduring legacy. Three decades after its 1990 release, DJ Premier was tasked with producing a remix covering the Tribe classic for Major League Soccer’s Thanks World, We’ll Take It From Here campaign, which launched on Monday (July 13). Premier opened up for Tribe back in 1989 at the New Music Seminar and remains close with members of the crew to this day. He was initially apprehensive about touching up “Can I Kick It?” — which samples Lou Reed’s ’70s classic rock staple “Walk on the Wild Side” — but added his thumping drums, trademark scratches and ad-libs to the remix, which finds him teaming up with upstart rapper Samara Cyn. “They said they wanted to put a rapper on it. I said, ‘Wait a minute?’ I’m very particular about MCs,” Preemo tells Billboard . “They said, ‘It’s going to be Samara Cyn and I’m sure she could pull it off.'” Premier highlighted Cyn’s delivery and confidence as a rapper, while she mimicked the laid-back flows of Q-Tip and the late Phife Dawg on the remix. With the MLS looking to capitalize on the momentum and buzz surrounding soccer in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the league released a star-studded ad spot soundtracked by the “Can I Kick It?” rework for the campaign, which features soccer royalty with Lionel Messi and David Beckham, as well as MLS team owners like NBA star Kevin Durant, Lakers legend Magic Johnson and actor Matthew McConaughey. “At a defining moment for soccer in North America, MLS is turning global excitement into lasting engagement and connection,” said Camilo Durana, who serves as the executive vice president & chief business officer for the MLS. “As the World Cup inspires new fans, our clubs and communities are ready to welcome them as the season resumes and the next chapter of their soccer journey begins with MLS.” The MLS returns to the pitch on July 16 and 17. Check out the rest of our interview with DJ Premier and watch the clip below. How did this opportunity with MLS to remake “Can I Kick It?” come your way? I was on tour in December of 2025 and “Can I Kick It?” got across my lap, but we were on the road. The first thing I thought was, “A Tribe Called Quest, I ain’t touching that.” We’re very close. Rest in peace to Phife [Dawg]. I’m like, “Why don’t they license the original?” But they wanted to do an updated version, paying homage to Lou Reed and Tribe, and everybody cleared it. I was honored to be asked to do it, but being that I didn’t have the equipment on the road, all I had was Pro Tools. The original templa