Music Appreciation
Hip Hop/Rap Hip Hop/Rap Beginnings: • New York’s Bronx: People began rapping in streets/parties to DJ’s beats and sampling • Sampling: Taking a portion (sample) of a sound recording and reusing it in another sound recording. • Rapping: Spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics performed to beat – Poor socio-economic area – High black and Hispanic population – Civil rights issues
• Influences: – Funk/Soul Music: James Brown (“Funky Drummer” & “Superbad”) » Rap like singing » Heavy on the Drums/Bass/funky guitar
– Jamaican: » DUB: DJ’s take out vocal/melody of pre-existing songs and emphasize bass and drums. Add sound effects such as echo, reverb, & delay. » Vocal rhythmic style • First Commercial Success: – Sugar Hill Gang: “Rapper’s Delight” 1979 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6gD_CwF5YM • Members: – Henry “Big Bank Hank” Jackson – Michael “Wonder Mike” Wright – Guy “Master Gee” O’Brien. • From Bronx, New York
• Starts with Latin-flavored Beat
• Samples, Chic’s disco hit “Good Times” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g6bUe5MDRo
• Brought Rap to mainstream • Gangsta Rap: – N.W.A. 1986-1991 • Members: – Eazy E, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Yella, MC Ren, Arabian Prince
• From Comptown, CA
• Debut album, “Straight Outta Comptown” 1989 – Songs to know: » “Straight Outta Comptown” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAxP5oy2Ox4 » “Boyz In The Hood” – N.W.A. (Cont.) • Lyric Topics: – Inner City Life – Police Brutality – Sex & Drugs – “Gang” Life
• Dr. Dre went on to become a solo artist and producer, helping launch the careers of Snoop Lion (Doggy Dogg) and Eminem.
• Ice Cube went on to become a solo artist and actor. • The Beastie Boys: – Hip Hop band from New York –Members: • Mike D (Mike Diamond) • MCA (Adam Yauch) • Ad Rock (Adam Horovitz)
– Started as a Punk Band but had released rap album “Licensed to ill” in 1986 • Best Selling Rap Album of the 1980’s • First Rap Album to go #1 on Billboard Chart • The Beastie Boys (Cont.) – Introduced more rock sounds to rap
– Songs to know: • “Fight For Your Right To Party” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBShN8qT4lk
• “She’s Crafty” uses Led Zeppelin sample – www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFFS3ndWSJ4
•“Paul Revere” • Notorious B.I.G. – New York City Rapper (1972-1997) – 2 Studio Albums: • “Ready To Die” • “Life After Death” – Killed in drive by shooting in Los Angeles in 1997 – Lyrical Style: • Laid back • Easy flow rhymes • Storytelling – Song to know: • “Hypnotize” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypP8sMHo74Y •“Big Poppa” • “Juicy”