Hip Hop on the AudioShocker

Tag Archive for 'Hip Hop'

Sequential Underground #34 - Looking for the Perfect Comics

Published

nick marino

on January 25, 2012

in Podcast Episodes

. 3 Comments

Sequential Underground #34 [ 1:57:16 ] Play Now | Download

Pittsburgh cartoonist Ed Piskor joins Nick Marino and Shawn Atkins to discuss hip hop history, the formulation of taste, hand lettering, comics reprints, and tons more.

Ed's recently embarked on an ambitious new project -- chronicling the genesis of rap music through a comprehensive Hip Hop Family Tree series for his Brain Rot webcomic on BoingBoing.net.

But this isn't Ed's introduction to the history of rap music. He's a passionate hip hop head with his own specific views on the development (and death) of the genre.

And we don't just talk about hip hop in this episode. We also dig into our mutual love of comics, covering topics such as: reading old original issues vs. recolored reprints, "Where's Waldo?" X-Men, The Kubert School, assembly line comics production, the proportion wheel, and emotional connection to source material.

Whatever Happened To Beat Boxing?

Published

neal

on October 14, 2009

in Music

. 11 Comments

So I know that Nick and I talked about this the other day (podcast 101), but I maintain that few people actually appreciate beatboxing as an art. Proof positive: Remember Rahzel? Remember back when the Biz still freaked it hard? Of course not, not one of you lame ass ringtone kids actually listens to real hip hop or looks out for trill unsigned hype. I can say that because I don't think anyone has ever commented (besides Nick) on a single one of my music posts, so there! I'll calm down now and get to the point.

My point is, the last time beatboxing got any real exposure was that wackass freestyle from She's All That or in that Rock Your Body joint by Justin Timberlake. And while JT may have potential - it just becomes a caricature of something great when some kid from a boy band does it (i.e Dick In A Box vis a vis Color Me Bad). I know (repeat from yesterday's podcast, yea yea) that if I approach some kids on the block and ask them what they know/like about beatboxing, some kid will start spitting raspberries into his hands. Contrast that with something like B-boying which is way more popular now then back when Breakin' came out --- or rap. Any kid on the street will tell you how much work rapping is - the streets is tough and all that - but that's it.

So, Neal, are you going to shut up soon? What are you really trying to say? I think what I am trying to say is, my boy J. Stone (NYC STERN CLASS OF 2010!) still has respect for beatboxing AND has fun with it. Perhaps you should check him out. He's been doing this for a little while, all over the world to boot. If that isn't your thing or you are looking for something a little more lowkey/alt, peep his roommate (and fellow Sternie) Corey J.

J. Stone (beatboxing) vs. Diwon (MPC) Live at Shemspeed Sukkot Party @ South Paw

Yes, I did just use a whole post to plug my personal agenda and classmates. It's my blog - deal with it!

Obama Blames it on the E-E-E-Economy

Published

neal

on May 20, 2009

in Music Videos

. 1 Comment

Real talk, this economic situation blows. How do we get out of this rut? Where is that change we can believe in? It's in the booth spittin' hot fire! The Commander in Chief gives you the economic lowdown in a format that all you MTV kids can vibe with. Bonus: peep Blago and Palin getting down! How did SNL miss this idea? (furthermore, how late am I to this party?) And while I get that Swine Flu is current and all - when did Sham-Wow become the second most name dropped reference in hip hop?

Were any of you even ready to handle MObama coming in at 3:03? I nearly lost it people. We're talking a near miss.

Oh BTW, I'm officially on educational leave as of 4pm today and headed to the sunny beaches of Folly Beach, SC. I'll see all your broke asses in a week! ESTOY DE VACACIONES!

Asher Roth - Fallin' Asleep In The Bread Aisle While Having A Bad Day

Published

neal

on April 15, 2009

in Music

. 0 Comments

The album drops 4/21 (4:20 FAIL)

Ha - what a clever title! Anyway, let's get to it. We've all seen the I Love College video. We've all heard the requisite Eminem comparisons. We've all thought to ourselves, "Seriously? Is this guy for real?" These days, Ash Roth, like Soulja Boy's wack ass, seems to be inescapable when it comes to hip hop.

I'm not sure I really buy the whole package - but I was willing to give him (and maybe next week Bobby Ray (formerly B.o.B)) a shot. I mean, I Love College is obviously a gimmick right? There has to be something else.

And I think there might be. I copped the album, Asleep In The Bread Aisle, the other night and I have been putting it through it's paces. I'll reserve my comments for the Podcast, so I actually have time for an informed opinion, but a couple quick notes.

Production seems solid, the beats are simple and uncomplicated. To it's credit, the album is actually pretty light on guests considering the amount of hype that dude has. Chester French, Busta, New Kingdom, Jazzy Pha, Cee-lo, Beanie Siegel - that is pretty good for a debut album these days.

How nuts is this mixtape cover?!

So far, two tracks are standing out to me, Bad Day (ft. Jazzy Pha) and Fallin'. They're both story tracks (I really dig story tracks) with decent beats and are a little different than what I had heard up till now.

Fallin' gives you a piece of where Ash is coming from (or if you are a cynical dick - where the label wants him to come from). take a listen for a different take on Roth.

Bad Day - if it had a few more sound effects, increased BPM, more bass, and a little bit of manic yelling would be a dead ringer for an Eminem track. The track is great (and short!) - but Ash, please don't shoot a video for it. It will only cement your image as an Em-clone. Use Sour Patch Kids or something instead.

Too lazy to download? Well too bad, YouTube removed all the embeds I had. Pfffff

That is about as far as I have gotten so far, so stay tune in next Tuesday!

Kanye West Sticks Foot in Mouth, Forgets to Pull It Back Out

Published

nick marino

on February 28, 2009

in Music and TV

. 2 Comments

Kanye looking weird

Maybe I'm too hard on Kanye nowadays... or maybe the once-prolific producer is just out of his fucking mind.

High on fame and the opportunity to control a captive crowd, Kanye West filmed an episode of VH1 Storytellers recently and said some weird shit and some really stupid shit. Here, for your reading pleasure, are choices quotes from Kanye's adventures in storytelling:

Kanye on Chris Brown and his recent abuse of Rihanna.

"Can't we give Chris a break? ... I know I make mistakes in life."

Kanye on two famous guys named Michael that have nothing to do with each other.

"Michael Jackson, amazing. Michael Phelps, amazing ... He's a real fucking person; he makes mistakes."

Kanye on "The Juice."

"O.J. Simpson, amazing. Is he not? What he did, when he did, what he did. Was he not amazing though?"

Kanye on supposedly being snubbed backstage at the Grammys by Thom Yorke of Radiohead.

"So when he performed at the Grammys, I sat the fuck down."

Hmm... I mean, Kanye, did it ever occur to you that you were at THE GRAMMYS, a major live production that's broadcast around the world, and Yorke may have been a bit busy? Give the guy a break!

On the other hand, should we give Chris Brown a break? I say FUCK NO! Giving the biggest benefit of the doubt I can, I'll agree that he made a mistake. Does that mean we shouldn't give him hell for it? NO! Do you know what the picture of Rihanna looks like, Kanye? What is it, Diane? Tell me. Do you know!?!

Anyway, not that there's anything really wrong with what Kanye said about Michael Phelps, Jackson, or Simpson. I just thought I'd toss those comments in to add to the overall ambiance of insane foot-in-mouth ranting created by the Chris Brown and Thom Yorke stuff.

Kardinal Offishall - Numba 1 (Tide Is High)

Published

neal

on October 29, 2008

in Music Videos

. 0 Comments

Kardinal Offishall has been getting a savage amount of airplay around these parts. At first I wondered how a new artist could have so many music videos out already. A quick Wiki revealed that Offishall has been around for a while and that I really don't know anything about music. Well, that's never stopped me before - so keep reading as I give you the straight dope on his new joint Numba 1 (Tide Is High).

The Track: The Kardinal hails from Canada but loves that dancehall sound. I got real burned out on dancehall back in 2003 when Beanie and Elephant Man were doing it real big. I'm more of a gentrified reggae person and Kardinal's version is easy to digest. That said, I think he may be trying a little too hard. Even as the scion of Jamaican immigrants - Ontario is hardly the Caribbean Islands. You're steez is less beleivable than Yatismahu's.

Interestingly, there are at least three versions of this song, each with a different IT girl doing the hook: Keri Hilson, Rihanna (probably the best), and Nicole Scherzinger. The video features Hilson who honestly needs the exposure.

I'm about 50% on Kardinal covering Tide Is High. Blondie did a great job with it back in the 80s, but this is a little different. It will probably grow on me - but I feel a little betrayed to see my favorite 80s hooks used this way. What's next, Walking on Sunshine?

The Video: Remember Sean Paul's Get Busy and Like Glue music videos? Kardinal is basically an even more accessible version of Sean Paul. I don't see much differentiation here. I'd even posit that Sean Paul and Beanie Man had better dancers. But, it didn't bore me.

Of note: There is a bonus snippet of Nina at the end. Despite my thing about double videos, I enjoyed its briefness and double entendre. Look out for the new Dr. Dre headphones in this video too. They are being placed in almost every new video right now. Lastly, I really really really hate Keri Hilson's haircut and the bleached bang tips. I can not handle that.

The Bottom Line: Not mindblowing, but a solid non-sucky performance.

FNMTV - Miley Cyrus, David Banner, Hawthorne Heights, and All Time Low

Published

neal

on August 3, 2008

in Music Videos

. 3 Comments

So, after a dismal showing last week, FNMTV returns with 2 live performances by Miley Cyrus and some other less important stuff. How do this week's videos stack up? Perhaps you should just keep on reading:

Miley Cyrus - 7 Things (Live)
Easily the best live performance ever on FNMTV. This is also 679 times better than the real video. Notice how Miley plays to the camera instead of the crowd and wears herself out from all the running around. I have to say, the girl has energy.

Hawthorne Heights - Rescue Me
Let this be a lesson that a Les Paul and a Flying V will not save your video (or band) from sucking. Basically, there is a crappy band with skinny ties and a girl playing Harry Houdini with technicolor stuff in the water. I'm not sold.

David Banner - Shawty Say ft. Lil Wayne
Basically... be nice to your lady and raise your kids. Otherwise, David Banner is going to sample a Lil Wayne track and then blow your lady's back out while you sit at home. alone. At least, I think that's the point - Banner mumbles a lot.

All Time Low - Poppin
Oh I get it. It's another video making fun of suburban white kids and their love of gaudy hip hop style and trappings. Isn't making fun of a cliche even more cliche? Also, this band blows. They sound like what garbage would sound like, if garbage sang and played instruments.

Miley Cyrus - Fly on The Wall (Live)
Miley, you were doing so well until this! I can't bring myself to say good things about this. In fact, I'm not entirely convinced that this isn't a B-52s cover. And the secret spy dancers? Come on, we all know you can't dance. (Of course, I can't wait to see the end of the battle on Monday)

The bottom line: It's kind of a wash, but Miley Cyrus still places above everyone else this week. Till next time.

Down With The Delay Double! I Heard You the First Time

Published

neal

on July 24, 2008

in Music

. 2 Comments

I'd like to discuss a trend that has become an increasing annoyance: the 'delay double' (yes, I just coined that term). We've talked about doubles on the podcast before. Basically, a double is when you record a line a second time, slightly different and layer it back over the original. Puffy explained this really well in an episode of Making the Band. Pretty much everyone does doubles. They are easy to do and give tracks a little oomph.

Proper doubles are subtle and they don't call attention to themselves. Listen to 99 Problems by JayZ. You barely notice it, but Jay doubles during the chorus. It adds a whole new acoustic dimension. This is what Puffy was getting at.

A 'delay double' is when you repeat a certain line or excerpt again for emphasis - but it's delayed a second or two. For example, you may hear something like 'Shorty be the hottest thing I ever seen,' followed quickly by 'I ever seen'. Often it will be whispered or hushed and extended.

Delay doubles are used extensively in hip hop and pop music. The reasoning is simple: it's easy and it simulates a listener repeating his favorite part of a lyric. If you hear a particularly good punchline, the kind that makes you go 'ooooo snap!' and hip hop heads live for, you may be tempted to repeat the last two or three words. That is what the delay double is after. Producers are trying to encode this reaction into the track up front.

A prime example of offensive delay doubling is Bustit Baby by Plies. Take a listen. He does it on every. single. line. First, there are no punchlines worth repeating. Second, even if there were - repeating the last two words of each line is just plain annoying; your listeners are not deaf! Someone please clue me in - how does this sell records? Is this what's hot in the street? Is this what you'd call really hood? Sadly, this is not an isolated incident.

Usher and Jeezy are both guilty of misdemeanor delay doubling on Love in This Club. I think I could cosign the delay if it were used a little more sparingly, but things as they are, I want to slap every artist employing it. Other offenders include: Destiny's Child (Soldier), Mariah Carey (Touch My Body), The Dream's (I Luv Ur Girl) and heaps and heaps of others. Even Mos Def must be brought to task (Ghetto Rock)!

I'm sorry to say it, but delay doubles may one day unseat the vocoder as the worst thing to ever happen to music.

AudioShocker Podcast #27 - In Living Slap Fight

Published

nick marino

on April 15, 2008

in Podcast Episodes

. 1 Comment

AudioShocker #27 [ 1:07:32 ] Play Now | Download

We talk noodles, slap fights, Street Fighter, Vega, Dhalsim, Blanka, Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter movie soundtrack, NaS, Craig Mack, Mariah Carey, E=MC2, Alice Smith, synesthesia, House, Ray Parker Jr and Raydio, TV is back but it's not, NPR and PBS pledge drives, USA Today, Saturday Night Live, In Living Color, Lars and the Real Girl, Resident Evil Extinction, Ultra Violet, Eagle vs Shark, A Guy Thing, Alyssa Milano, Ralph Macchio, how frequently webcomics should update, Achewood, lateness in comics, comic book one-and-dones vs story arcs, Garfield, Heathcliff, User Friendly, Meet the Spartans, Frisky Dingo, and gangbusters more.