In 2002, Nas found inspiration in his feud with Hova and his own mother’s passing to drop his most personal album to date, God’s Son. The album covers themes such as religion, violence, and his own emotional experiences during that time.  In a period where most artists were going the safe route when picking beats for their albums, Nas went the other way and used non-mainstream hip-hop producers like Alchemist and Salaam Remi. The result was one of Nas’ most revealing work, and was generally well received amongst fans and critics.

“Now let’s get it all in perspective, for all yall enjoyment made a song yall could step with.”

“Made You Look” was the first single off of God’s Son and brought forth a very classic hip hop vibe.  The song was produced by one of my personal favorites Salaam Remi, who also did 5 other cuts on the album, and is most recently responsible for the modern-day classic “All I Want Is You”.  In a very interesting video interview that inspired this post, Remi speaks on the making of “Made You Look” and how the Incredible Bong Band’s “Apache” sample he was chopping was intended for…. Ricky Martin, of course.  In a technique he says he picked up from Large Professor, he slowed down the sample to make sure his chops were perfect, and in doing so heard the loop as it is on the Nas record.  I will always remember the day I first heard this bump because it was unlike any other singles coming out at that time.  It was a risk, it was a statement, and it worked.

Incredible Bongo Band – Apache

Nas- Made You Look

via KevinCaseyMusic and Et Musique Pour Tous

[above: a DaVaughn Blakney profile picture] Ok, here we go… First of all welcome to any new visitors, but this post is for everyone that checks up on the site regularly, and has been left song-less as of late. I want to be one to make music, and not blog about it… and honestly that thought sometimes resonates in my head.  I see now that I am just lucky to have a platform to share great songs with people, and actually have them listen.  At the end of the day, being a fan of music is what made me want to make my own… so, “I’m Back” -Eddie Kendrick.

Yesterday, I got the pleasure of being with a bunch of old friends at the Marina in Yonkers for the annual Diddy Day.  It’s been 3 years since we lost him.  Diddy was too big of a personality to ever be forgotten, and that’s why we miss him like we do.  Lucky for you guys he had a good ear for classic street records, and “Dope Money” was one that got several hundred plays in his Maxima.  To be honest, I actually feel the closest to Diddy when listening to The Lox. Certain bars more than others.

“Pull over where the hustlers be : And why’s that? : Cuz I get chills, when you talk of hustling keys”

The Lox – Dope Money

As Sample Saturday proceeds to give you what you need… By 1995, Hip-hop music had infiltrated American mainstream media and was dominating airwaves and selling out arenas acround the globe. Albums like The Chronic, Doggystyle, Illmatic and Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers were tearing up the charts and selling out record stores. Despite overwhleming success and wealth, battle lines were drawn, and with the help of media hype, the “East Coast vs. West Coast” beef was in full effect. The top MCs from both coasts were creating songs aimed at dissing their counterparts, with each track packing extremely violent and threatening undertones.  During the feud Bad Boy released the now classic record “Who Shot Ya”, with Biggie seemingly mocking 2Pac’s shooting and only adding fuel to the fire of the coastal battle. Despite Puff consistently denying that the song was aimed at ‘Pac, the damage was already done, and “Who Shot Ya” is now heralded as one of the greatest diss records of all time.

Production wise, no one was touching Bad Boy Records during the early to mid nineties. Puff Daddy assembled an all-star cast of beatmakers who created an endless list of hits during the golden years of Hip-Hop, and in the process defining the Bad Boy sound. “Who Shot Ya” was produced by Nasheim Myrick, who is one half of the superproducing team “The Hitmen”.  To catch the break used from David Porter’s “The Masquerade Is Over” you have to fast forward all the way to the 4:45 mark, where you will hear the instantly recognizable drums and piano.  A lot of the best chops are found deep into records, which shows you that the producer was really digging.  ”Who Shot Ya” is a piece of Hip Hop history… and like alot of the other pieces, it started with a great sample. (P. Walsh/K. Casey)

David Porter – The Masquerade Is Over

Notorious B.I.G. – Who Shot Ya

brought to you by KevinCaseyMusic and Et Musique Pour Tous

Since I left you guys hanging last weekend, I figured I would throw in an extra Sample Saturday Day for you to enjoy.  This comes courtesy of myself and my writing partner in crime, Pete Walsh.  (I see you Roy)

Melvin Bliss, who passed this week, was a relatively obscure and unknown singer during the 1970’s. However, his throwaway B-side, “Synthetic Substitution” became one of the most important records in hip-hop history. The impact of this record on hip-hop is unparalleled. Equipped with an instantly recognizable drum break, the song has been used for over ninety tracks (yes ninety), including popular joints such as Naughty By Nature’s “O.P.P.” and Public Enemy’s “Don’t Believe the Hype”.  Bliss never found great success during the time of his career, and it wasn’t until roughly 20 years later that, to quote the song, “Synthetic Substitution has taken over this land.”

When it came to the “chopping” of this record, there was really not much science to it except to lift the infectious drum break and loop it up to the desired tempo. Among the ninety plus tracks that sampled this break were two classic joints from two classic groups.  First we have the Premo produced “DWYCK”, which is a beat created entirely of these drums and Premier’s signature scratches.  Our second choice to post is the opening track off the almighty 36 Chambers. As you would expect, RZA brings in the break in an unorthodox way, cutting certain kicks out of the sequence to give it his own groove.  No matter how the break was flipped, it always provided for banging drums every time it was used. Melvin Bliss may fade into obscurity in the wide scope, but will remain forever relevant in the hip-hop community.

Melvin Bliss – Synthetic Substitution

Gang Starr – DWYCK

Wu-Tang Clan – Bring Da Ruckus

So now that the Dipset gang has reunited, i had to pull out my favorite record from the height of their dominance.  To me, the absolute peak of their reign on the industry was the moment that Cam’ron’s pink timbalands touched the pavement after hopping out the Range in the “I Really Mean It” video.  They were untouchable, and thanks to producers like Just Blaze and The Heatmakerz, they were truly serving the streets with Crack Music.  So many terms and trends started with the Dipset gang and still live on to this day.  What’s really good?  As a bonus, rock to their comeback record and a fire-bomb in the clubs, “Salute”.

The Diplomats – I Really Mean It

BONUS: The Diplomats – Salute

Some records are released, gain momentum in the clubs, stay hot for a while, and then fizzle out.  Other records have a timeless quality to them and remain relevant for years, maybe even decades.  Then there are rare cases like “Luchini” which seem to not only stay hot, but somehow gain popularity in surges more than ten years after coming out.  This record is so hot, you can play it at a trendy lounge in manhattan, a hood club spot in Brooklyn, or a house party in the Bronx.  I can’t necessarily speak for the rest of the world, but basically what I’m saying is in New York City, “Luchini” is Hall of Fame status.  The Bronx duo released their debut album Uptown Saturday Night in 1997, which had other quality joints including “Swing”, the B-Side to “Luchini” (another Bronx Music Factory vinyl purchase of mine).  The album had a very cool jazzy vibe to it, with hard hitting drums courtesy of the homey Ski.

Ski, aka Ski Beats, is most known for his work on Reasonable Doubt, including records such as “Dead Presidents” and “Feelin’ It”.  In my opinion, “Luchini” is his most memorable production to date.  He takes a sped up loop from the intro of “Adventues in the Land of Music” and makes the backdrop for an all-time classic.  Over the loop he lays a rocking kick and snare combo, plus a sporadic sampled bell which hops up and down in pitch to match the key of the beat.  Camp Lo hasn’t hit another record like “Luchini” since it’s release, although they can basically travel around performing that one record still for many years to come.

Dynasty – Adventures in the Land of Music

Camp Lo – Luchini

Sample Saturday is brought to you by Kevin Casey Music and EMPT.com

My man Mes does it all… as he says “check my resume.”  As the founder of the multi-functional Mes Hall, he has given the opportunity to people like myself to have a creative home amongst other like-minded people.  The Mes Hall is a building of studios with all the necessary resources for any producer, rapper, musician, graphic designer, or photographer.  We have a core group of people who cover all those crafts, and who help build each others brands.  For more information on studio time or booking enquiries visit The Mes Hall’s website.  Born in California and raised in the Bronx, Mes is also a talented producer, having worked with many rap artists in the New York area and overseas as well.  Below is a record of his with Mes Hall resident rapper, Rich Mo.

Rich Mo (prod. Chris “Mes” Vinson) – Bronx Anthem

Here’s a cut off the 2001 Violator Part 2 album featuring two of my favorite MCs.  Guess you guys can tell by now that I fuck$ with the LOX and CNN pretty hard.  The eerie sample in the intro contrasts the hard lyrics that follow it… very effective.  Kind of wish I found a place for this record on Live From New York.

“Here’s why they call me the ghost, I’m half live, half dead, and when it’s beef I bring all of the toast.”

Styles P & Noreaga – Come Thru

Here’s a track off the upcoming War Report 2 featuring the L-O-X (clean version for now).  This group of MCs on one record is a guaranteed win, plus its produced by the homey Scram Jones.  Everything I’ve heard thus far from this project indicates that a modern street classic is on the way.

CNN ft. The LOX – Bodega Stories

Just some ALC shit off his slept on album, 1st Infantry. Can’t go wrong with some tough drums from Alan The Chemist plus all three LOX members going in.  Multiple quotables from the Yonkers natives throughout, but at the end of the day the snare rules the record.  ”This that D-Block, Alchemist heat rock.”

Alchemist ft. The LOX – The Essence