When Death Row released 2Pac’s Greatest Hits, the double-disc contained four previously unheard records; one of those being “Changes.”  It quickly became one of the most notable and popular records of his career.  Pac discusses a bunch of issues that were related to his era of influence in the game; including racism, poverty, police brutality, and gangs.  Being released posthumously, it’s almost as if he was looking back, and addressing those issues that showed little progress or change during his lifetime. Reasons like this make “Changes” one of the greatest hip hop records of all time (yea I said it).  Before the third verse, Pac takes 8 bars off from rapping to lend a few spoken words, getting right to the point of his message.

“It’s time for us as a people to start making some changes.  Let’s change the way we eat, let’s change the way live, and let’s change the way we treat each other.  See the old way wasn’t working so it’s on us to do what we gotta do…. to survive.”

The foundation of this classic record is built on the music of another classic record, “The Way It Is” by Bruce Hornsby and The Range.  Beyond just a musical backdrop, the sample is also a song that addresses the civil rights movement, and the disparity between rich and poor in America.  The lyrics suggest that “some things will never change” if we don’t take active steps on our own to facilitate change itself.  The piano was replayed for the 2Pac version, giving the producer more flexibility in arrangement. With a keyboard lead, strings, and layers of male and female vocal riffs, the beat was ready.  They kept the tempo pretty much the same as the Hornsby version, which was very up-tempo as far as rap records went in that time period.  After 2Pac did his part, the end result was a record of legendary status, and a social commentary that will remain relevant for generations to come.

Bruce Hornsby – The Way It Is

2Pac – Changes

So far with Sample Saturday, we have discussed mostly records used from the 60’s and 70’s.  Today for a change, I figured I would uncover a sample from the 90’s. Chronic 2001 is one of my favorite hip hop albums to this day, and the more I learn about the way it was put together, the more I am impressed with the mastermind Dr. Dre.  ”Forgot About Dre” was the second single, and the most successful, earning Dre and Eminem a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.  The record lashes out at Dre’s critics, announces his return to the game, and reminds listeners of his many influences on the culture of rap music.  Who can argue with him?  We also get to hear Eminem in full-fledged Slim Shady mode, describing himself choking out passing pedestrians with candy bars… amongst other things.

My favorite part of the song was always when a cool guitar riff joins in at the 1:54 mark, just as Eminem explains “and when the cops came through, me and Dre stood next to a burnt down house…”  The idea for the guitar, which is a one time occurrence in the record, was taken from the song “The Climb,” off of No Doubt’s 1995 album Tragic Kingdom.  The sample is a small part of the overall sound, but I would not be surprised if it was the piece that Dre originally built the beat around, which would explain the choice of an unusually slow tempo for his production.  No one can mess with the Doctor on the boards, and when he drops Detox this year (fingers crossed), it will be a another reminder to anyone that has forgotten about Dre.

No Doubt – The Climb

Dr. Dre ft. Eminem – Forgot About Dre

First off I want to give a shotout to a silent partner in KevinCaseyMusic.com, my boy Pete Walsh.

James Ramey, aka Baby Huey never got to reach his full potential as an artist.  His large size contributed to his stage presence, but also to his death from a heart attack at the age of 26.  The style as to which Huey delivered his vocals in some of his music can be closely tied to rap.  Many people see his only album The Baby Huey Story, as a very significant influence for hip hop music.  ”Hard Times” has been sampled by over a dozen hip hop artists.

Baby Huey – Hard Times

“Carry That Weight” is part of the long climatic ending of Abbey Road.  It is preceded by “Golden Slumbers” (which it was originally combined with for one song) and followed by “The End.”  It is only 1:37 in length, but its arrangement makes it feel longer.  Also one of the few tracks on which all four band members sing.

The Beatles – Carry That Weight

I was driving through the city today and the Alicia Keys version of “Empire State of Mind” came on the radio. It played as the perfect score to the imagery that I was seeing through my car windows, and when the song ended I was hoping they would follow it up with the Billy Joel classic “New York State of Mind.” But … it was Hot97 and they followed it up with Gucci Mane.  Next time I will have my ipod on me so I’m in control.  Gotta love the climactic ending of this record.

Billy Joel – New York State of Mind

Clarence Greenwood is Citizen Cope.  I already posted two songs off this album on here months back, but felt inclined to post another.  One thing that hasn’t changed since my last post, is I still haven’t been smart enough to listen to their other albums (maybe I just want to maintain the excitement of having something to look forward to).  This is probably the most mellow and down-tempo song on the album, but there was something about the raw emotion in the lyrics that I could relate to.

“Well I don’t know how else to say, in a different way.  Why don’t you – just – fade away.”

Citizen Cope – D’Artagnan’s Theme

Love these simple Coldplay songs.  X&Y is still my favorite of their albums.

“And I could right a song, a hundred miles long.  Well thats where I belong, and you belong with me.”

Coldplay – Swallowed in the Sea

“The Burning of the Midnight Lamp” was one of the first records on which Jimi used the wah-wah effect, something that eventually became a regular element in his style of play.  This was also one of the only records on which he played keyboard as well.

Jimi Hendrix – The Burning of the Midnight Lamp

Songs like this give you a look inside the mind of lead singer Bradley Nowell, who’s lifestyle and experiences led to great music, and eventually his untimely death from overdose.  Raw emotions write the best records – pain and suffering from addiction included.  Sublime is a special type of band that has been often imitated, but never duplicated.

“If you only knew all the love I found … It’s hard to keep my soul on the ground.”

Sublime – Garden Grove

People that have limited their Beck-listening to “Loser” have slept.  To me, this guy’s career mirrors that of an inventor, as he never stops experimenting with arrangements, lyrics, and most of all – sounds.  If Beck made strictly hip hop beats for a year straight, he could somewhat change the game.  Go It Alone is one of those hidden gems that never got enough exposure (in my opinion).  Simple drum break, add some loose claps/snaps, signature Beck vocals, throw Jack White on bass, and you have a cool song.  

Beck – Go It Alone

E-Pro was one of the singles off the same album, Guero.

Beck – E-Pro