Tagged: EPMD
Classical music for classic tracks
One more musical genre to prove my point that Hip-Hop’s influences are as large as infinity.
The use of classical music is various. There’s no definite era like Rock or Funk. But it actually appeared more recently probably because the producers were looking for another kind of music to dig in.
Picture Credit: rosannadelpiano
And in that particular exercise, Jedi Mind Tricks, a so-called “hardcore” and independent rap band from Philadelphia, is shining. Thanks to Stoupe, the DJ and producer of the band, you can always find classical sample in his creations.
For instance, in their second album after the critically-acclaimed Psycho-Social LP, Vinnie Paz and Jus Allah invited L-Fudge and Louis Logic to rip off the beat prepared for “Trinity”. It samples Tomaso Albinoni’s “Concerto in D Minor”, an Italian composer from the 18th century. Violins and cello mixed up leave us with an incredible result.
Tomaso Albinoni – Concerto in D minor (sample appears at 0:05)
Jedi Mind Tricks feat L-Fudge, Louis Logic – Trinity
In 2004, Jedi Mind Tricks got recognition from the underground scene and release their fourth album “Legacy of Blood”. Less extraordinary than the ones before, still some little pearl are hidden on the tracklist.
“On the Eve of War” featuring the one and only GZA aka Genius from the Wu Tang Clan sample Karl Jenkins, a Welsh composer. A way more modern (1996) kind of music but still able to be called classical. Even on violins, Vinnie Paz’ style stays raw and aggressive, but that’s the way we like it.
Karl Jenkins – Palladio (sample appears at 0:07)
Jedi Mind Tricks feat GZA – On the Eve of War
Often quoted in this blog, Immortal Technique built his popularity on this six minutes long track “Dance with the Devil” off his first album released in 2001″ Revolutionary Vol. 1″.
The rapper shoot bullets of truth and his favorite target is the Bush administration and American society. Lyrics full of rage and accurate views on important topics to which you add this wonderful piano loop from Henry Mancini (known for the Pink Panther theme) and his “Love Story Theme” and you have what I like to name a masterpiece.
Immortal Technique- Dance with the Devil
Henry Mancini – Love story theme ( sample appears at 0:21)
How could I post something about classical music and not even mention the greatest of all time, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ?
The precocious Austrian composer’s reaction to the way his work has been reshaped could be funny. EPMD with the help of Redman and Keith Murray rap on Mozart’s Symphony number 40 lines like that:
“I grab my dick, spit, hit the blinkers, split
the Dutch Coronas, tokin irons without permits
Repetoire long-faced murderer’s the shit”
Anyway, the track is really intense thanks to the great collaboration.
K.I.M – EPMD Redman Keith Murray
Mozart symphony no 40 in g minor (third movement) (sample appears at 0:00)
As usual, I’ll finish this up with a French one.
In 1998, two of the best French rappers at that time collaborates on “Esprit Mafieux”. Busta Flex worked with Oxmo Puccino to produce a classic branded French Hip-Hop song.
The beat is based on a large piano riff sampled from Aria de Syrna’s “Saint Preux”.
Busta Flex feat Oxmo Puccino – Esprit Mafieux
Aria de Syrna – Saint-Preux (sample appears at 0:00)
Make it rock !
When Hip-Hop was doing his firsts steps, it was well-influenced by Rock n’Roll music. Bands like Run-DMC or the Beastie Boys were introducing a lot of rock samples. Some bands kept the principle, many didn’t.
PIcture Credit: allposters
But there is interesting samples to notice so I’ll let some random obvious (or not) samples of famous rock song (or not).
The first one got both obvious sample and eloquent title. “Rock hard”, released in 1985 by The Beastie Boys, sampled the guitar riff from Malcolm Young, famous player of the Australian band AC/DC.
A year after that, Run DMC, nicknamed the “King of Rock”, brought the rock impact into Hip-Hop. I won’t put “Walk this Way” because it features original new vocals and guitars riffs from Aerosmith. So, no sampling.
On “It’s Tricky”, from the album “Raising Hell”, the three guys from Queens sampled another classic rock track, “My Sharona” by the Knack. Notice the sample is very short in length and is composed by only a faltering measure.
I posted both video clips. Really interesting to watch the two in a row.
Before “California Love”, and the use of Joe Cocker’s “Woman to Woman”, EPMD was releasing their second album after the huge success of “Strictly Business”. “Knick Knack Patty Wack” is the so called track. Erick and Parish were Making Dollars in those days.
You might have noticed this was the first verse ever spat by K-Solo from the Hit Squad, later known as the Def Squad. His verse is based on spelling nouns basically. Smart. But he mispelled the word “bird” and spelled it “B-R-I-D”. Pay attention to the last verse.
In 1996, Lords of the Underground did something that I’ve always wished about. Sample “Stairway to Heaven” from Led Zeppelin. They’re the only ones who did it and sadly the track “M.O.N.E.Y” stayed unreleased. But it’s great of piece of work anyway. I bet you will easily recognize Jimmy Page’s arpeggio, there’s no need to put the original “Stairway to Heaven”.
Finishing with a great success from both sides. Sampler and sampled. In 1991, a latino band called “Cypress Hill” make themself a name with the B-side of their first single, “How I could just kill a man”. The sample ? “Are you experienced” performed by Jimi Hendrix, also known for the clip of it, in which we can admire the Rock legend smashing down a guitar after set it on fire.
The loop is only used for the chorus and it appears at 2:15 on Hendrix’s song.
You may have been surprised to notice the first notes of “Are you experienced ?” sounded a little bit like a classic Hip-Hop track. If you’re still struggling to find it :
Well, that’s good enough for starters I guess.
More rock samples to come.
Sample Dat 