A much needed Black Music thread.
- Thread starter Insidious Von
- Start date
This joint I haven't heard in forever. From the 2000 album The Piece Maker by DJ Tony Touch. I actually bought a mixtape of his downtown circa 1996/1997 before he got signed to Tommy Boy Records. This album featured a few heavy hitter producers - DJ Premier from Gang Starr, DJ Scratch from EPMD, DJ Muggs from Cypress Hill and The Alchemist.
"I Wonder Why (He's the Greatest DJ)" feat. Total. This is not the album version but a remix which includes a breakdown of Jimmy Castor Bunch's "It's Just Begun"
And yes that's John Leguizamo dressed as a B-Boy in the line at the beginning of the video.
"I Wonder Why (He's the Greatest DJ)" feat. Total. This is not the album version but a remix which includes a breakdown of Jimmy Castor Bunch's "It's Just Begun"
And yes that's John Leguizamo dressed as a B-Boy in the line at the beginning of the video.
Some music historians often refer to this as the first recorded instance of rap (1946).
A lot of early gospel music was like that. Some rhythmically spoken rather than sung lyrics.
Example:
Ma$e had nice flow. From the same album this was my joint. A staple of my 21st century hip hop playlist.
I always thought that (Not Just) Knee Deep was my favorite Parliament/Funkadelic tune but this might just have overtaken it. These dudes were so original and their sound is the blueprint for the g funk era of west coast hip hop.
This of course was sampled on Dr. Dre's album 'The Chronic'
This of course was sampled on Dr. Dre's album 'The Chronic'
The Beastie Boys were King Adrock, Mike D. and MCA. 3 Jewish white rappers from Brooklyn NY who took the hip hop world by storm withe their 1986 debut LP 'Licensed to Ill'. It was released on Def Jam Recordings with Rick Rubin as producer. It was the album along with Run DMC's 'Raising Hell' that solidified my love for hip hop music. It has withstood the test of time and while some of the production may sound dated, the vibe and the energy remain the same. The biggest tracks were "Fight For Your Right (To Party)", "Paul Revere" and "Brass Monkey" but here's my hidden (forgotten) gem from the album
"Slow Ride"
In 1989 the Boys released their sophomore LP 'Paul's Boutique' this time on a different record label and using the Dust Brothers as producer. They created a different sound and one more mature and soulful. Over 100 songs were sampled for the album - artists like Cutis Mayfield, Sly & the Family Stone, the Jackson Five and even The Beatles. Check it out.
"The Sounds of Science"
Many hip hop afficionados consider this album to be their best.
In 1992 they released their 3rd album 'Check Your Head' which relied less on sampling and more on actual instrumentals. There was also a punk rock influence to the overall sound which appealed to the grunge crowd of the time. Hence the Beastie Boys appearing at Lollapalooza festivals. Overall I wasn't a huge fan of this effort, there were quite a few duds, but it also spawned one of their very best songs
"Pass the Mic"
Two years later their 4th album 'Ill Communication' was released. I found it to be a solid bounce back for the crew. It brought back some more jazzy soulful elements to the production while still retaining some of the punk rock sound from their previous album. The big track from this LP was "Sabotage' which came with one of the coolest retro music videos ever. But its this tune that I just love to death, even though its less than 2 minutes. Such a unique piece.
"Flute Loop"
Part II will be cont'd tomorrow
"Slow Ride"
In 1989 the Boys released their sophomore LP 'Paul's Boutique' this time on a different record label and using the Dust Brothers as producer. They created a different sound and one more mature and soulful. Over 100 songs were sampled for the album - artists like Cutis Mayfield, Sly & the Family Stone, the Jackson Five and even The Beatles. Check it out.
"The Sounds of Science"
In 1992 they released their 3rd album 'Check Your Head' which relied less on sampling and more on actual instrumentals. There was also a punk rock influence to the overall sound which appealed to the grunge crowd of the time. Hence the Beastie Boys appearing at Lollapalooza festivals. Overall I wasn't a huge fan of this effort, there were quite a few duds, but it also spawned one of their very best songs
"Pass the Mic"
Two years later their 4th album 'Ill Communication' was released. I found it to be a solid bounce back for the crew. It brought back some more jazzy soulful elements to the production while still retaining some of the punk rock sound from their previous album. The big track from this LP was "Sabotage' which came with one of the coolest retro music videos ever. But its this tune that I just love to death, even though its less than 2 minutes. Such a unique piece.
"Flute Loop"
Part II will be cont'd tomorrow
Beastie Boys cont'd.
4 years after 'Ill Communication' they released 'Hello Nasty' (1998) which I really dug. Again it was something different - the sound had more of an electronic/dance feel to it. Definitely more club friendly than past albums. It really worked for me. They also brough in Mixmaster Mike for some scratching. The big hit from this one was "Intergalactic" which is undoubtedly one of their best and most recognized tunes. This one hits for me
"The Grasshopper Unit (Keep Movin')"
6 more years (2004) and they were still at it. They released 'To the 5 Boroughs' their first album of the 21st century. Produced entirely by them. Overall I thought it was pretty good and this definitely was the best track of the album. Here they are performing it on the Letterman show
2007 they released an all instrumental album which I don't think I've ever heard so can't comment on it
2011 and their 8th and final studio album Hot Sauce Committee Pt 2. It was supposed to be a 2 part album but they only released the 2nd part, due to MCA's illness and subsequent death from cancer. The Boys did all the production and engineering and you can tell. Its definitely not refined like their past albums. I'd classify this as very alternative hip hop and it didn't appeal to me that much. There were some highlights with this one being the best of them
"Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win" feat. Santigold
Overall a very top notch discography for this group. I appreciate that they changed their sound over time by incorporating different genres and techniques to their core sound. That is the definition of artistry. RIP Adam Yauch AKA MCA.
4 years after 'Ill Communication' they released 'Hello Nasty' (1998) which I really dug. Again it was something different - the sound had more of an electronic/dance feel to it. Definitely more club friendly than past albums. It really worked for me. They also brough in Mixmaster Mike for some scratching. The big hit from this one was "Intergalactic" which is undoubtedly one of their best and most recognized tunes. This one hits for me
"The Grasshopper Unit (Keep Movin')"
6 more years (2004) and they were still at it. They released 'To the 5 Boroughs' their first album of the 21st century. Produced entirely by them. Overall I thought it was pretty good and this definitely was the best track of the album. Here they are performing it on the Letterman show
2007 they released an all instrumental album which I don't think I've ever heard so can't comment on it
2011 and their 8th and final studio album Hot Sauce Committee Pt 2. It was supposed to be a 2 part album but they only released the 2nd part, due to MCA's illness and subsequent death from cancer. The Boys did all the production and engineering and you can tell. Its definitely not refined like their past albums. I'd classify this as very alternative hip hop and it didn't appeal to me that much. There were some highlights with this one being the best of them
"Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win" feat. Santigold
Overall a very top notch discography for this group. I appreciate that they changed their sound over time by incorporating different genres and techniques to their core sound. That is the definition of artistry. RIP Adam Yauch AKA MCA.
