MUSI 2520 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Def Jam Recordings, Spike Lee, Cultural Appropriation
LECTURE #6 FA MUSIC
Kris Style: The philosophy of KRS-One 2003
- An unreleased interview with KRS-one filmed in 2003 at Wu Tang Clan’s 36 Chambers recording
studio in New York
- Music from the album medical Cures for the Chromatic Commands of the Inner City serves as a
the soundtrack
- Co- produced by ron
KRS One quotes
- Hip hop: an acronym for “His/her infinite power helping oppressed people” a reflection of the
reality of the inner city
- Other justification of the use of the N word
That the past is the past
Culturally offensive words are commonly used in jest within the said culture
Valid within the use of the entire hip hop language
Certain words are part of the lexicon of Hip Hop culture: The N the B and the MF
The Golden Age of Hip Hop
Earlier styles vs later styles
- Break beats vs. no break beats
- Drum machines vs. sampled drum line
- Tape loops vs. Sampler
AKAI-S900 Sampler
-Was both a technical innovation as well as a process innovation that emerged in the late
1980’s
-Producers were at last free of the need for tape
-This machine became such an important part of Hip Hop during its Golden Age
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
-Just like the Roland TR-808 the AKAI S900 brought about a drastic change in the overall
sound of the music.
Breakdown of Song to Sample
Sampling Techniques
-Diminishing/Augmentation of original sample
-Tempo increase/decrease BPM
-Addition of beats, instruments, solos or vocals
-Metaphorical Manipulation
Substitution and/or alteration of original philosophical theme.
Metaphorical Manipulation
-Ghostface Killah sampled Little Milton’s “Packed Up and took my mind” but flipped the
metaphor from being about a broken heart to about being in a panic after murdering
someone in a grocery store robbery.
SONG – Little Milton Campbell “Packed up and took my mind” 1975
SONG- Ghostface Killah “Walk Around” 2007
-We start to see artists coming from places other than The Bronx/South Bronx and the
queens bridge housing projects.
-They’re coming from places like Long Island, NT, Newark, NJ, Philadelphia, PA, and even
Oakland California on the West Coast
Eric B. & Rakim:
Members: Eric “Eric B” Barrier, William “MC Rakim” Michael Griffin Jr.
Origin: Long Island, New York
-Their debut album Paid in Full was recorded at Marley Marls home studio and Power
Play Studios in NYC in 1987
-Rakims MCing has a “slow flow” and his lyrics are “mesmeric”
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
-Paid in Full was one of the FIRST Hip Hop albums to fully embrace 1970’s Funk Samples
-Paid in Full’s heavy use of sampling by Eric B, such as from Bobby Byrd’s “I Know You
Got Soul” became influential in Hip Hop production.
Eric B & Rakim SONGS
-Paid in full 1987
-Paid in full (Seven Minutes of Madness)
-Bobby bird (I know you got soul)
Public Enemy:
Founders: Chuck D (Carlton Ridenhour) and Flavor Flav ( William Drayton)
Members: DJ Lord, Professor Griff and his S1W Group, Terminator X, Sister Souljah
Origin: long Island, New York 1982
-Known for its politically charged lyrics and its criticism of the American Media
SONGS
-Public Enemy, “Fight The Power” 1989
LL Cool J:
Born: James Todd Smith, January 14, 1968
Origin: Queens, New York City
LL Cool J = Ladies Love Cool James
Known for romantic ballads such as
-“I need Love”
-“Around the Way Girl”
-“Hey Lover”
Also known for pioneering hip hop tracks such as
-“I Can’t Live without my Radio” 1985
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
An unreleased interview with krs-one filmed in 2003 at wu tang clan"s 36 chambers recording studio in new york. Music from the album medical cures for the chromatic commands of the inner city serves as a the soundtrack. Hip hop: an acronym for his/her infinite power helping oppressed people a reflection of the reality of the inner city. Other justification of the use of the n word. Culturally offensive words are commonly used in jest within the said culture. Valid within the use of the entire hip hop language. Certain words are part of the lexicon of hip hop culture: the n the b and the mf. Was both a technical innovation as well as a process innovation that emerged in the late. Producers were at last free of the need for tape. This machine became such an important part of hip hop during its golden age.
