James Dewitt Yancey (February 7, 1974 – February 10, 2006)

Dilla is one my personal favorite hip hop producer… His influence on the music world is obvious. His raw style and distinct drum programing has made him one of the most loved, respected and mimicked producers of our time.
Dilla has had such a strong impact on me and the way I make music that his name itself has become an adjective in my vocabulary.
“..Dilla that up” will be heard in my lab when the drums don’t have the swagger I want or the raw edge isn’t there.
Coming to the end of 2009 Dilla’s legacy is set in stone with countless “Dillaciples” keeping his memory alive as they take his enormous influence and it let inspire a whole new era of music. Long Live J Dilla…..
“J Dilla was one of the music industry’s most influential hip-hop artists”
-NPR

Interview

Artist: Joey 6′1″ (ft. Slaughterhouse)

Song Title: On My Grind Cousin

Album: Unknown

——————————————————-

Artist: The Pharcyde

Song Title: Passin’ Me By

Album: Bizarre Ride II: The Pharcyde

Album Release Date: November 24th, 1992

——————————————————-

Artist: Blu & Exile

Song Title: Below the Heavens, Pt. 1

Album: Below the Heavens

Album Release Date: July 17th, 2007

“Pops in my head the proverbial questions, Y????”

I asked myself the same questions damn near every day.  WHY?? Why does gas cost 3 dollars a gallon? Why does milk cost over 2 dollars a gallon?? Why do I keep spending money on Jordans???  There are a lot of Whys out there that seem will forever lack a logical answer and The Pharcyde captured it perfectly on their song, Y?  I have listened to Labcabincalifornia countless times but it seems to strike me differently every time I listen to it.  Some days, I’m really feeling She Said, Runnin, Drop, Splattitorium but today Y? just struck a cord.  Maybe with all that is going on in the world, the financial situation or the state hip hop is in but so many things that those dudes were talking about back in 1995 are still so true.  It is the concept of timeless music.  I am pretty sure when I listen to The Pharcyde 15 years from now, a lot of the shit that they are saying will still hold weight and be relevant.  Think about that shit for a minute.  It’s incredible the power of music.  Anyway, enough preachy preacher today.  Sit back and listen to a hip hop classic from one of the most creative groups of all time, The Pharcyde, Y?  I also included the Jay Dee Remix which is VERY ill too. 

Excuse any errors in the page rendering, I’m moving to a WordPress home from a Tumblr past. Anyway, The Pharcyde are one of those bands which I don’t listen to for months at a time. However, when I return it’s always followed by some devoted iPod time for a good few weeks. More to that, I normally end up watching their videos in one big loop (especially those that come from such calibre as Spike Jonze). The Pharcyde’s first single was Ya Mama and was released way back in 1991, it’s probably the most original ‘novel’ track in my collection. “Ya Mama got a glass eye with a fish in it.” Enjoy.

]]> http://diptnyc.wordpress.com/2009/12/11/the-pharcyde-drop-video-director-spike-jonze-producer-j-dilla/ Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:47:55 +0000 Mr. Ice Cream Man http://diptnyc.wordpress.com/2009/12/11/the-pharcyde-drop-video-director-spike-jonze-producer-j-dilla/

I always loved this song off the1995 LP ‘Labcabincalifornia’. Many dont know that this was one of the first videos that Spike Jonze directed and it was done in reverse.  The members even had to learn to lip sync in reverse to get the timing right.

Oh yeah this was also produced by the legendary J Dilla!

-Ice Cream Man

My master’s thesis adviser recently informed me that Tara Rodgers (Analog Tara to you) wrote a book on female electronic artists called Pink Noises that Duke University Press is releasing early next year. Oh, how I can’t wait! If you can’t either, Rodgers’ promotional Web site might tide you over.

News of this book/site couldn’t come at a better time for me, as I’m currently working on short essays surveying American female composers and deejays for another project. Rodgers reprints some of her interviews on the site, and I’d encourage readers to look at her correspondence with electronic musicians and composers like Ikue Mori (former drummer of DNA), Anne La Berge, and Pauline Oliveros, as well as poem producer Antye Greie, who grew up in East Germany.

However, I thought I’d specifically hail the deejay today. And while the distinctions between electronic composer and musician can get blurry for the deejay (who I think technically is both), I thought I’d focus on them. I’m also doing it in honor of Lady Kier, former singer of Deee-Lite, who has since been made a career for herself deejaying all over the world. She’s revamped her Web site, and I’m just waiting for her to start posting her sets on Lickerish Radio like she used to.

And just to make myself clearer, I’m specifically highlighting club deejays and not on-air personalities, though I obviously have a lot of love for them as well. I will be folding hip hop deejays into the term ”club deejay” here, which admittedly is kinda sloppy and reductionist. What I’m stressing here, in addition to the importance of women mastering technology for musical purposes, is liveness and performance in a dance space. Still with me? Okay.

So, in honor of Rodgers’s upcoming book and her subjects’ contributions to popular music, I’m spotlight some female steel wheel riders, whose interviews with Rodgers can be accessed by clicking on their names. Make sure you watch the videos too! 

The Angel

BTW, fuck Craig Kilborn. Remember how smug and not funny he was? I’m so glad Jon Stewart and Craig Ferguson have replaced him.

Beth Coleman (M. Singe)

Mutamassik

Note: It was hard to find live performances of Mutamassik, so I’ll direct your attention toward Burnt Sugar the Arkestra Chamber and Rough America, musical groups of which she participates.

DJ Rekha

Thank you, ladies! I look forward to reading your conversations with one another next year. In the mean time, I’ve got some crate-digging to do.

• via TreMartha •

Here’s an interesting chronicle of The Pharcyde’s
experiences participating in this year’s All Points West
tour festival. Look out for the recurrent theme and check
for the Q-Tip cameo. Enjoy.

∆

The Pharcyde – Humboldt Beginnings (2004)

One night I decided to grow a weed plant. And while this doesn’t seem to be overtly shocking, as our whole culture is getting more and more accustomed to the undemonic idea, the only real hurdle I faced was my parents’ staunch conservatism.  This in itself was vexing, as they subscribe to a logic Dr. Ian Malcolm would find confusing.  We actually call my Dad “The Illogical Logic,” as his ebullience only finds rivalry in his temper.  Yet these two moods could switch on a whim, reverse their poles and throw me for a loop.  Throughout my life, seriousness would be met with flippancy, frivolity with a hammer.  All at random.  I remember being suspended in grade 11 for distributing anti-student council propaganda, but he wasn’t pissed.  I forgot to cut the lawn once, and he erupted.  At home, I couldn’t have a girl in my room with the door closed, but it was fine to take one out to the detached cabin in the woods on our property.  (I was sure to take advantage of that one.)  The only constants in our home were remarkable pancakes, and Fine Young Cannibals.

Luckily, or rather, chronologically, my older siblings had already done most of the mischief I involved myself with.  And while this meant that I had to work diligently to break any sort of new ground, it also meant I sometimes got away with serious shit. Thus, fearing which personality of the mustached Lumberjack I might face, whilst banking on the malleable form of my mother’s love, the weed plant plot emerged.

One May afternoon, brimming with the energy only those who escape from work an hour early possess, I stole out into my parents’ garden, and haphazardly planted some twenty-five seeds, blessing each with as many good hippy vibrations I could muster, or rather, that my cynicism would allow.  This is getting wordy. Let’s jump forward.  Of the twenty-five seedlings, only one sprout emerged, pressing through the dirt to elate my crushing ennui.

I don’t think my unborn child will cause such rapture in my life, as did this little green limb.  I was in love, and his name was Peddy Tendergrass.  Over the next few weeks our relationship grew, and eventually, I needed to pot Peddy, lest he be disturbed by the myriad of garden pests.  But this required confrontation with my, until then oblivious parents.  (Specifically, the terrifying patriarch.)  I waited until my mother was alone on the back porch, watering the plant next to mine.

“Do you like my beautiful little plant?” I coolly ventured.

“This is yours!??! Is this what I think it is?!?!”

Now, I have to admit, I was taken aback by her reaction.  I hadn’t seen her in such a stage of outrage since my evil sister did whatever the fuck evil thing she last did to my poor old parents.

That was one against me.  I quickly tried to regain control, and set into placation mode.  But it was too late.  I hadn’t heard the giant looming footsteps sneak up behind me.  My father had walked into our conversation, and my mother’s hysteria.

“Fraser! Did you know what our son has growing in this pot!?”

I looked away, unable to face his retribution.  I braced myself for the worst.

“Relax, honey. It’s just a weed plant.”

And that was it.  Somehow, it all blew over.  The Illogical Logic had finally done something that worked out in my favor.  So I grew that little plant until it was big and strong, and had a fucking blasty-blast in the process.  I went through a million botanical trials and tribulations, uncovered the carefree youth in many of my relatives I thought to be squares, and even connected with my parents a little. Only a little.  One should always keep some distance from one’s parents, lest they turn into them.  I even convinced my straight-laced mom to take care of little Peddy Tendergrass while I bounced to Peru in search of god knows what.  And she did a good job!  When I got home I made a song about it.

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey!!! Bloggers and bloggettes!!! How u doooiiinnnn?!

So recently I received a phone call from a friend of mine and he had a right old rant about a certain producer not giving his girlfriend the benefit of the doubt with her musical genre ability……I won’t go into depth but the outline of the story is…….she’s done a huge funky house song and the producer didnt believe she was able to do any other genre……..he didnt even listen to another song or even allow her to audition.

Like I UNDERSTAND!!! some people just want to have proof or a guarantee that the artist in question is actually capable of making xxxx genre but if there are no previous recordings would you not just call the artist and have them come sing to you or something?….DUH!

See there are many “types” of producers within the UK maybe overseas I dont know and I’ve put them into my own self titled categories, as follows

• The genuine “I really think your talented and want to work with you” types
• The ” I know you can’t sing…..but your pretty” types (waste of beats!)
• The ” only if you got a following ” types
• The rude liers ” Oh Im maaaddd busy” but you find out their still making music with your friend the next day types
• The lazy types
• The ” I’ve only heard you sing this sort of music so I dont think I can work with you” types

And the list goes on and on and OONNNN!!!!!

I say FIX UP!!!!…you say you want your beats heard so you can get big then you shouldnt only prioritize those who are in “the process” of making it big/signed or those you think are pretty etc…PRODUCERS!!! Someone you’ve said no to probably could go on to make it huuuuggee but you said no and you’re going to be kicking yourself and left feeling DUMB!

I’m telling you artist’s out there do not wait on any producer DO NOT! it is and will be a waste of your time because there are serious producers that you could miss out on if you dwell on idiotic ones that mess you about.

Dont get me wrong I have respect for producers who are real and who don’t act dodgy…..hey! it’s not that hard to say “no im sorry I think your talented but not the right artist I wish to work with” or just say a simple NO! dont lie and duck and dive argh!

Anyway! I had a listen to an inspiration of mine the one and only late J Dilla!!! whoop whoop!!!

Have a listen to some of his beats on the video below

Now true producers know J Dilla was one of the greatest producers to have lived!…..like this guy was a legend and still gets spoken about in tracks today and even getting songs dedicated to him one is Miss Erykah Badu ”The healer” Dilla produced some of the songs on the ‘New Amerykah’ album btw. 

I hope some of the good producers can find inspiration from him and change their ways! and become more versatile and give artists a chance because you help to improve an artist the same way they help to improve you and your beat making skills etc……..any ways Im not going to review his beats because the music speaks for its self and there are just to many beats out there….but I will leave you with one of my favourites that he did this was made for a group called The Pharcyde song titled ‘Runnin’ (first video below)  it has now been used again my Mya …..this beautiful song “fallen”.

ENJOY

Peace Love and Music

Stop what your doing and reminisce on what hip-hop sounds like…

Recently I have been on this old school hip hop obsession. One day I popped De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising in my hoopty and went for a joy ride. As I was listening to these guy’s vibe I was constantly asking myself “Where has the real hip-hop gone?” It’s not within T-Pain, not Gucci Mane, not the Degrassi star Drake. What happened to the live drum sets and samplistic style of old school REAL hip-hop. These cats never talk about money, cars, record deals, etc. It was all about the vibe and music. Lyrically, this is the best hip-hop you can ever create, so my plea is this: Please bring back Hip-Hop. We love it and need it. Stop with the stupid trance synths and Maybach Music drops. Respect the people who paved the way and do it up right. Here is a taste of what I have been bumping lately. EnjoY!

The Pharcyde – Passing Me By

De La Soul – Buddy

A Tribe Called Quest – Can I Kick It?

Public Enemy – Bring the Noise

Everyone is aware of Spike Jonze’s new movie that just came out this past Friday titled Where the Wild Thing Are.  Although I have not seen it yet and have heard good things about it, I must be honest and say that it looks like an indie/hipster-fest, and knowing that Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (currently dating Spike, apparently) is doing the score and soundtrack of the movie makes me skeptical.  Jonze is clearly a talented and awesome director; one of my very favorite movies is Being John Malkovich.  But let us harken back to some of his fabulous roots that we (hopefully) know and love…

The Pharcyde: Drop

Bjork: It’s Oh So Quiet

Fatboy Slim: Weapon of Choice

Fatboy Slim: Praise You

The Pharcyde – “Drop”

Bjork – “It’s Oh So Quiet”

Fatboy Slim – “Weapon of Choice”

Fatboy Slim – “Praise You”

WEDNESDAY MUSIC VIDEO

In honor of the upcoming release of Spike Jonze’s film adaptation, of Maurice Sendak’s children’s book, “Where The Wild Things Are,” this Wednesday Music Video has become plural. Below, enjoy a collection of Spike Jonze directed music videos.

Weezer – “Buddy Holly”

Wax – “California’

The Pharcyde – “Drop”

Pavement – “Shady Lane”

And perhaps the video he is most well known for…

The Beastie Boys – “Sabotage”

My dear, My dear, My dear, You do not know me, but I know you very well…

Been killing this song like hell lately. Not really for a reason. Besides the fact that it’s a straight up classic anyways. One of the best Hip Hop songs ever recorded. The vocals are so memorable. So many classic lines from this track. And of course the beat. Who doesn’t know this beat? Death to them. By way of firing squad. Produced by J Swift. You know you going hard when you sample Hendrix and Quincy Jones. On the same track. Never got into The Pharcyde though. Besides their more known songs. They got mad praise. Think I’m too East Coast biased. Also. The video is greatness. Upside down scenes and shit. Love that it’s Black and White. Classic vibes.

Here is cultural project #3 – The Video.   Big shout to DJ Roddy Rod (Low Budget Crew, Humble Monarch Media) for producing the video for The Classics.  Here you can view a variety of the album covers (plus many more) that are featured in the show along with interviews on a few of Rap music’s pivotal artists and groups.

This is a playlist that attempts to combine a lot of different genres and I think it does so pretty effectively. All the songs on this playlist are really good, and the fact that you go from one style of music makes it refreshing, that way you aren’t listening to monotonous music, and you get some variety. Variety is great, and so I think that this playlist is also.

Homegrown – Humboldt Beginnings – The Pharcyde
Summer Babe [Winter Version] – Slanted & Enchanted – Pavement
Victoria – Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) – The Kinks
Act III Scene 2 – Saul Williams – Saul Williams
Shiksa Goddess – The Last Five Years – Jason Robert Brown
Mr. Grieves – Doolittle – The Pixies
Secret Agent X-9 – Sad Sappy Sucker – Modest Mouse
Holland, 1945 – In The Aeroplane Over the Sea – Neutral Milk Hotel
Grip Like a Vice – Proof of Youth – The Go! Team
All My Love – In Through the Out Door – Led Zeppelin
Corner Soul – Sandinista! – The Clash
Who’ll Pay Reparations On My Soul – Small Talk At 125th and Lenox – Gil Scot-Heron
Harder Than You Think – How You Sell Soul To A Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul??? – Public Enemy

http://www.discogs.com/Pharcyde-Passin-Me-By/release/904292

lABEL….: Delicious Vinyl
eNCODER…: Lame
bITRATE….: 192k
gENRE……: Hip-Hop
dATE rIPPED.: 05.03.2002
rELEASE dATE: 00.00.1993
sIZE……..: 42MB
tRACKS…… : 6
sOURCE…… : Vinyl

[TRACKLiST]
NR TRACK NAME TiME:
01 Passin Me By (Video Remix) 4:57
02 Passin Me By (Video Instrumental) 4:57
03 Passin Me By (Acapella) 4:35
04 Pork (OG Version) 5:54
05 Pork (Cosby Edit) 5:54
06 Pork (Instrumental) 4:18

http://www.mediafire.com/?5klgmn5intm

http://www.discogs.com/Pharcyde-She-Said/release/1160634

Title [She Said]
Artist [The Pharcyde]
Label[Delicious Vinyl] Genre[Hip-Hop]
Quality/Size [44,1@19239,7 MB] Ripped [Nov-24-2002]
Grabbed with [Soundforge] Enc[LAME]
Grabbed from [Vinyl] Retail [000-00-1996]

Track TimeTitle

01 05:14 She Said
02 04:33 She Said (Fuzz Face And Twank Boy Remix)
03 05:59 Y? Be Like That (Remix)
04 04:30 She Said (Jay Dee Remix)
05 04:21 Pharcyde
06 04:14 She Said (Mike Caren Remix)
Totals
06 28:51 min

Release Notes:

double 12inch promo ep. she said produced by slimkid 3,
remixed by fuzz face and twank boy, jay dee & mike caren.
y? be like that remixed by rae & christian, pharcyde
produced by booty brown. she said isn’t really one of my
pharcyde tracks and jay dee makes it even more unenjoyable
for me. be sure to check out the rae & christian remix of
y? be like that which is really dope imo. enjoy and buy
more vinyl, support artists you like. that’s the way we do.

http://www.mediafire.com/?mkm5yzjzxuw

http://www.discogs.com/Pharcyde-Ya-Mama-Im-That-Type-Of-Nigga-Soul-Flower/release/813060

ArTisT [The Pharcyde]
TiTLe [Ya Mama]
LaBEL [Delicious Vinyl] GeNRe [Hip-Hop]
RiPPeD bY [takMAN] ReTAiL [00.00.1992]
QuALiTy/SiZe [44.1@19224,3 MB] RiPPeD [24.06.2002]
GraBBeD wITh [Sound Forge 6.0] EnC [LAME]
GraBBeD fROm [Vinyl] SuPPLy [takMAN]

TRaCk TiMETiTLe

01 04:20 Ya Mama (Murphy Mix)
02 03:34 Ya Mama (Cosby Mix)
03 05:25 I\’m That Type Of Nigga
04 04:21 Soul Flower (Remix)
ToTaLS:
04 17:40 min

ReLeASe NOtEs:

Produced by J-Sw!ft. Soul Flower remix produced by The Brand
New Heavies & remixed by J-Swift

http://www.mediafire.com/?13jtzywyg0d