I’m not feeling the blogging thing lately, for whatever reason. The fact that Summer is dominating the genre these days might be part of it. In any case, I’ve had two ideas for comment-driven posts, so I’ll throw both out here and see what you, my dear readers, have to offer.
1. Name that Sample: I’m trying to figure out what is the most-used sample, ever. I currently have a candidate: the “hey!” that I think originates in the Art of Noise’s “Close (To the Edit).” I’m sure I’ve heard this sample in 12893802309302 songs, but the only ones I can think of off the top of my head are the Prodigy’s “Firestarter” and Felix da Housecat’s “Watching Cars Go By (Cyberwhore).” Please add songs or offer your own “most-used sample, ever,” with evidence, in the comments.
2. A Hip-Hop Anthology: My mom has taken a recent interest in hip-hop. I don’t understand it, either. Anyway, I thought it might be fun to organize a hip-hop anthology for her. I figure there should be about four CDs that are a general history, and maybe two CDs that exhibit the outer reaches of the genre (novely rap, rap from different nations, etc.). There are other rules, though: my mom doesn’t like swearz, so no cussing. I guess it’s impossible to avoid an occasional “motherfucker,” but if you can, please do. Furthermore, my mom is a musician, so I think the musical aspect will be more interesting to her than the lyrical. So let’s see what sort of anthology we make up.
September 21st, 2005 at 21:59
Some loose notes:
1. “Gone” or “Family Business,” by Kanyeezy
2. Something by the Roots/Stetsasonic? They’re live bands, after all.
3. “I Left My Wallet in El Segundo”/”Award Tour”/”Can I Kick It?”, Tribe
4. “Bitties in the BK Lounge,” De La
5. “Mainstream,” by Outkast
6. “Credit Is Due,” Gang Starr
September 22nd, 2005 at 9:49
1. “The Seed v. 2.0″ by the Roots
2. “Eye Know,” De La
3. “Big Pimpin’” by JZ
And some outer-reaches/novelty:
Control Machete, MC Solaar, MC Paul Barman
September 25th, 2005 at 8:42
Whoa. Whoa. Whoa.
If you’re going to put together a 4 disc anthology, there’s some serious crate digging to be done.
In no particular order, but with no less significance than the others:
“911 is a joke” - Public Enemy
“The Gas Face” - 3rd Bass
Paul’s Boutique - Beastie Boys; seriously pick a track, any track. Shake Your Rump and Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun stick out. This was the ultimate of 1989 rap records, and ‘89 may in fact have been the seminal year of the art form.
“It’s Tricky” - Run DMC
“Strictly Business” - EPMD
There are a bunch more I can think of: Gang Starr (something from Step in the Arena), Boogie Down Productions, Eric B. and Rakim, etc.
Granted, I’m leaning towards the early years but there’s plenty of material there that’s worth listening to. You’ll notice too that most of these songs are pretty clean overall: mom-friendly.
September 28th, 2005 at 14:31
Nice project Mo, here are some suggestions, in no particular order (since the fun is in the mixing). I’ll try to leave out obvious ones because you know all those.
Original Concept — Charlie Sez (notable for many reasons, but I like the shout out to “pitcher Mike Scott”) may be hard to find, in which case, substitute “Pump that Bass” which she might prefer musically anyway.
Special Ed — I’m the Magnificent
De La Sol — Me Myself and I
Black Moon — How Many MCs…(must get dissed)
Digital Underground — Do Watchyalike
Common — The Corner
DJ Kool — Let Me Clear My Throat
and if you go with that one, you ought to give her Doug E Fresh The Show
Big Daddy Kane — The Wrath of Kane
Black Sheep — Choice is Yours
MC Lyte — Lyte as a Rock
Queen Latifah — U.N.I.T.Y
Kool Moe Dee — Wild Wild West
Hieroglyphics — The Who
If I think of others, I’ll let you know.
October 4th, 2005 at 16:04
what about da sugar hill gang??? that’s what i grew up on in the late 70s early 80s in NYC. truly old school.
October 6th, 2005 at 8:29
Well, I’ve compiled, without any effort, over eight hours already. There’s a lot of stuff that I’m surprised isn’t on any of these lists, too.
I’ll post a provisional list in a while. This is just like writing a syllabus for pedagogy class!
I’ll add just this: old school rap is like 8-bit Nintendo. It’s really pretty crummy, but you have fond memories. At least it strikes me that way. If I was approaching Run DMC for the first time today, I’d probably hate it.
October 19th, 2005 at 12:22
Most used sample? That Amen-break that turned into every single drum&bass track ever. I can’t remember the name of the original, but I think there’s still overwhelming evidence.
November 3rd, 2005 at 1:59
Llamas are very curious animals and Winslow Homer has caught this perfectly in “Woodchopper in the Adirondacks” where a llama from a local llama farm has come to investigate the noise of the falling tree.If you are ever in Roanoke, Virginia, do visit the Art Museum of Western Virginia where you can see Homer’s first version of this painting.