Before we get too far into this mission, let’s check this 9 minute mini documentary to set the stage:
And for some extra inspiration for you Hip hop heads listen to African Baby Bam from the Jungle Brothers describe how they created their classic “I’ll House you”. He really gives you a feel of the vibe of the times and how they danced 8 nights a week:
So this battle isn’t about just re-creating a sound (although you can do that). It’s about creating something new, like these artists did back then. Hip-house came up in 1988-1991, an incredible moment in history that blended the underground house movement coming out of Chicago with the Golden era of Hiphop coming from all around.
I know this battle may feel like a stretch for a few of us (ahem @Yabba I see you) - lets have some fun and not get too strict or serious about anything.
What will you make?
A throwback track to that era using the same sounds, same vibe, even the same acapellas?
An updated Hip House track with new sounds, new drums and new lyrics - darker? harder?
Something in between?
A totally new genre/sound?
Here is what to aim for:
Give them something to dance to: aim for somewhere in the 120-125 bpm range
Yo Yo Get Funky: Try and use a classic James Brown break if you can
Hey Ladies: Sweeten up your sound with some female vocals, emcees or doowop
Just right: Make your track between 3-5 minutes
Deadline: Send your beat to @surfacescan by Sunday May 31st
Let's get into this!
A few ideas for posting to this thread:
Post some Hip-House tracks in the thread for inspiration and and fun
Post some some samples from the year you turned 10: Find something that can be sampled from that year and post it
Upload and share some classic 80s/90s house sounds, synths, bass, pianos, organs or anything else you want for everyone to use (I need some too!)
Post up some acapellas or any vocals for inspiration
Overall, have fun, dance around your studio, bedroom, kitchen - in your backyard, wherever you make music.
This song was just as much part of “hip hop” to my ears back in the day but of course I’m not from the Bronx so anything with a beat, bass and rapping was hip hop. I just liked feeling the air come out speakers, kind of magical
@surfacescan nice one fella!, you’re certainly right about this being challenging for me personally, I get dizzy if I go above 96bpm but I’ll have a go, but there is every chance mine might sound a bit odd
In the UK when I was 10 we were overun with britpop, gestating the idea of the Spice Girls and investing heavily in Leisure Centres.
But 1995 also gave us:
What a time to be alive!
I’ll do my best to contribute (for the first time), will see if the newborn graces me with more than 5 minutes of spare time. I have a bunch of records from this era too so will do some crate digging.
Ohhhh man. Let loose! Use those synths, use the bass sounds from lcassic synths turned into plugins, do everything and everything you need to get the sound you want!
“I’ll House you”. He really gives you a feel of the vibe of the times and how they danced 8 nights a week:
