Most people don’t
realize how much the music on a son is, apart from the lyrics/vocals. Although
the main focus of the song is the rapper's vocals, I believe the beats
contribute a lot to the song. The beat of a song in hip hop is commonly known
as the instrumental of a song. A song would not be complete without a well-made
instrumental. Instrumentals aren't really recognized by most people because the main focus of a song is usually the artist rapping on the song.
In a lot of underground rap instrumentals are held in high regard. A lot of underground rappers collaborate with producers and make some of the best mix tapes I've ever heard. With some of the new technologies producers are able to create some of the most original beats. Some of my favorite producers/collabs are Curren$y and The Alchemist, Blue and Exile, and MF Doom and Madlib.
In a lot of underground rap instrumentals are held in high regard. A lot of underground rappers collaborate with producers and make some of the best mix tapes I've ever heard. With some of the new technologies producers are able to create some of the most original beats. Some of my favorite producers/collabs are Curren$y and The Alchemist, Blue and Exile, and MF Doom and Madlib.
Sometimes I even like to listen to only instrumentals of songs. The instrumentals are the music portion of a hip hop song that doesn’t include any rapping or vocals. Instrumentals are usually made by a producer. The producer is the person who makes the instrumental, using all types of types of techniques and samples to set off the song.
Sampling is
when a piece of one song is cut and put into another song and used as part of
the beat as an instrument. This technique originated when DJs didn't have many
other resources so they would use what they had. Producers use samples from
virtually anything, the more original the sample the better the beat turns
out. Producers incorporate samples into beats looping the sample, which is
done by cutting the sample so it plays continuously. Then adding a couple of
drum sounds onto the sample.
Here are some good examples of samplings and instrumentals:
Blu & Exile - Unlisted Bonus Track." YouTube. YouTube, 13 Aug. 2011. Web. 20 Feb. 2013.
"Flying Lotus - MmmHmm." YouTube. YouTube, 06 July 2010. Web. 20 Feb. 2013.
"Wiz Khalifa - Kush & OJ Samples." YouTube. YouTube, 04 Feb. 2011. Web. 20 Feb. 2013.
When I first started reading this post, I wondered, what is "son" in that first line? What are some of the most familiar samples being used in hip hop music? I seem to recall the use of Spandau Ballet's "True" and also the use of Patrice Rushen's "Forget Me Nots." I think this post could be enhanced even further if you wanted to explore the historical progression of samples.
ReplyDeleteInstrumentals also fascinate me. When you listen to a hip hop song, how much of the songs would you guess are instrumental in nature? What's the real driving force of a hip hop song? the beat or the lyrics?