Welcome to a new monthly feature in The Hip Hop Museum newsletter. Do you ever wonder what other people thought the first time they heard some of the most iconic voices of the culture? That’s what ‘The First Time I Heard…’ is all about. We will connect with other rap artists, industry executives, DJs and other voices from the culture and ask them to reminisce about the first time they heard some of the most iconic voices of our culture.

Paul “Mastermind” Parhar has remained a constant force and voice of Canadian urban music for the past 37 years. He started at the age of 15 with a Hip Hop radio show, later got signed to Virgin Records, and released “Mastermind Presents Vol: 50—Street Legal,” making him the first urban DJ ever to be signed to a major label in Canada.

Mastermind is also a prominent on-air host and programmer at various radio stations, including Toronto’s Flow 93.5FM to now being the Program Director and Content Manager for Toronto’s VIBE105FM and Consulting Programmer and On-Air host for Mixtape: North (Channel 164) on SiriusXM.

From Kardinal Offishall to Drake, Jessie Reyez to The Weeknd, Mastermind has had a connection and impact with almost every Hip Hop and R&B artist from Canada.

Photo Credit: Milos Savic

Given Mastermind’s history in Hip Hop and deep connection to the culture’s origins and roots, we spoke with Mastermind about the first time he heard the legendary Notorious B.I.G.

The Hip Hop Museum: What was your reaction the first time you heard The Notorious BIG? Do you remember what song it was?

Mastermind: The Source’s Unsigned Hype was my introduction. When he was ‘Biggie Smalls.’ Funny story, there was a mixshow promo guy at Uptown Records named Dan Smalls and I assumed they were brothers (laughing). Obviously not the case. But musically, it was Mary J Blige’s “Real Love (Remix)” which I think was his first released song ever. I was in Philadelphia at a record store the first time I heard this. I loved everything about it. The remix was amazing. At this point in my career I was already getting music sent to me but I wanted to make sure I had this when I returned to Toronto so I bought it.

THHM: What was it about Biggie that you think made him so unique?

Mastermind: For me, he had a misfire out the gate. I hated “Party & Bullshit”  and was like what is this?!? Then he dropped “Just Playing (Dreams)” and completely redeemed himself. The Super Cat song “Dolly My Baby (Remix)” also kept the momentum going. From there, he was popping up on all these features and then the “Flavor In Ya Ear (Remix).” I can’t quite explain what it was about him but man, the flow, the lyricism, the voice, all of it. He was just amazing!

THHM: Do you have a favorite Biggie song? And why that song?

Mastermind: For me, it’s any song he’s done with DJ Premier. “Unbelievable“, “10 Crack Commandments“, “Kick In The Door.” There are so many fire tracks it’s hard to narrow it down.

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Read more interviews on The Hip Hop Museum!