Verbal Thoughts

Black History Month Week 3: Aretha Franklin

Verbal Cryogenics — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 23:35:45 GMT

This week features Aretha Franklin. With a voice that earned her the title "The Queen of Soul", Aretha, in my opinion, is a frequently sampled artist that people often overlook. This song, "Daydreaming" was sampled by Cam'ron for his song by the same title "Daydreamin'". As with all artists that I'll feature this month, I encourage you to check out more of their music other than the songs that have been sampled.

Black History Month Week 2: Quincy Jones

Verbal Cryogenics — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 00:54:49 GMT

Yeah, I know I skipped a week! If you got a problem with that, go here: http://verbalcryogenics.podomatic.com/entry/2006-11-08T19_46_27-08_00 Anyway......this week features Quincy Jones. Quincy Jones is one of the most influential musicians of all time. He was behind the best selling album of all time, Michael Jackson's "Thriller", so that alone solidifies his spot to me as one of the greatests of all time! This song, "Summer In The City" was sampled by The Pharcyde on "Passin Me By". As with all artists that I'll feature this month, I encourage you to check out more of their music other than the songs that have been sampled.

Black History Month Week 1: Curtis Mayfield

Verbal Cryogenics — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 00:46:46 GMT

Celebrating BLACK HISTORY MONTH, I've chosen to feature songs by some of my favorite BLACK artists. The music will speak for itself. This week features Curtis Mayfield. A very heavily sampled artist, Curtis Mayfield created a sound that helped define a generation of soul. This song, "Move On Up" was sampled by Kanye West for "Touch The Sky". As with all artists that I'll feature this month, I encourage you to check out more of their music other than the songs that have been sampled.

Grammy Month: Week 5 Danny!

Verbal Cryogenics — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 02:36:13 GMT

Surprise Surprise! I bet y'all thought it was over! Never that. For the final installment of Grammy Month, I humbly present the sample for Danny's "Charm". Produced by Danny!, "Charm" contains a sample of Michael Jackson's "Everybody's Somebody's Fool". Now, I know you're saying to yourself, "I don't remember nobody named Danny! being nominated for no Grammy"! Well see, that's where you're wrong............kinda. See, out of all of the thousands of albmus sumbited to NARAS (The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc.) for Grammy considerations, Danny! made the short list (about 20 to 50 eligible artists/songwriters per category) for several categories, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Rap Album, Best Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap Song, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, and Best Urban/Alternative Performance. Unfortunately, once the members of NARAS voted on the top 5 for each category, Danny! didn't make the cut. Nevertheless, he's still dope! Plus he's still going to the Grammy's! Describing himself as "A Tribe Called Quest on acid, or EPMD on LSD", Danny! is one of the reasons why I haven't given up on South Carolina Hip Hop. (You'll meet the other reason next month) I guess I'm biased because I'm not really into the crunk/snap type music mostly coming out of the south, but from the first time I heard "Strange Fruit" I was hooked. I hate to say it but he really reminds me of Kanye (in a good way). The reason why I say "hate" is because everytime someone hears somthing new, they're quick to put it in a box. But, the soul samples, lyrical delivery (without making up words like Kanye), and overall sound definitely makes Kanye pop to mind. Back to the sample, check for "Charm" on Danny's 3rd album aptly titled "Charm". It's one of the best songs on a dope album that you should check out. Check for Danny! online at: http://www.dannyswain.com/ http://www.myspace.com/mcdanny

Grammy Month: Week 4 The Roots

Verbal Cryogenics — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 01:54:34 GMT

1nce again it's on! Week 4! This week we turn an ear to The Roots' "Game Theory". Produced by The Roots and Khari Mateen of Nouveau RIche, "Game Theory" uses the sample "Life of Fortune & Fame" by Sly and the Family Stone. "Game Theory" is one of the hottest songs on this album. The way ?uestlove is ripping the drums on this track is banannas! This is one of those songs where you can't help but nod your head. I must admit though, I'm a sucker for horns. When the horns come in on this joint I just get amped. As usual, The Roots sample a song that isn't obvious and make it hot. Slightly chopped, mostly looped, The Roots turned out another banger! One of the best songs on an album that should win Best Rap Album at this years Grammys. (Sorry Lupe, you're a close second)

Grammy Month: Week 3 Lupe Fiasco

Verbal Cryogenics — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 03:20:49 GMT

Right back at 'cha for week 3. This week we take a look at Lupe Fiasco's "Kick, Push". Produced by Soundtrakk, this song uses the sample "Bolero Medley" by Celeste Legaspi. A dope song on an even more dope album, Lupe brings a lyricisim and creativity that is rare in much of todays hip hop. To be able to make a hip hop song about skateboarding popular, you need a beat to bring the song to the forefront and this song delivers. Not to discount Lupe's lyrics, but this beat is a banger.......even if it is just a loop!

Grammy Month: Week 2 Ludacris

Verbal Cryogenics — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 03:44:17 GMT

Round 2 people. This week we visit Ludacris' "War With God". Produced by Andre Harris & Vidal Davis, this song uses the sample "War of the Gods" by Billy Paul. Ludacris rips this track. Unfortuantely, this is one of the best tracks on this album. I always say that the best samples are the ones that you can enjoy as much as the song that was made from the sample. This is one of those songs. The sample is pretty obscure, at least to me. Billy Paul's probably best known for his song "Me & Mrs. Jones". He's not really a frequently sampled artist, but this sample was put to excellent use.

Grammy Month: Week 1 T.I.

Verbal Cryogenics — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 03:14:38 GMT

Each week this month I will feature a sample used on an album that has been nominated for rap album of the year (except Pharrell's album, he used no samples). I'll start the month off with T.I.'s "Why You Wanna". Produced by Kevin "Khao" Cates, this song uses the not so rare sample "Gypsy Woman" by Crystal Waters. Like a lot of samples on T.I.'s albums, this is pretty much a straight loop. It gets the job done, but nothing too spectacular. The interpolation used in "What You Know" was a little more impressive. I'll let y'all continue to try to figure that one out if you don't already know.

Rest In Peace, James Brown

Verbal Cryogenics — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 02:20:43 GMT

James Brown succumbed to pneumonia on December 25, 2006 in Atlanta. He was 73. In a career spanning over six decades, the iconic singer helped shape and define R&B, soul, funk, disco and rap. James Brown’s contributions lied within his rhythmic innovations. He single handedly helped shape the sound of eary hip hop, becoming likely the most sampled artist of all time. In rememberance of James Brown, I present to you one of his most sampled songs, "Funky Drummer".

I could go on, & on, & on.........

Verbal Cryogenics — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 00:23:57 GMT

This sample thing is like childs play to me! I know my "digital crates" aren't as deep as others, but I must admit/brag, I got a lot of stuff! For your listening pleasure today I present, Keith Mansfield's "Mono Ski". This was used on Gnarls Barkley's "St. Elsewhere" album for the song "Who Cares?". If you don't already have this album, you need to check it out. DangerMouse does his thing again with this album. Remember when I talked in the last post about deep crates? Well DangerMouse's crates are crazy deep. And I could go on, & on, & on................but who cares?

Some of the best that ever did it!

Verbal Cryogenics — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 02:17:23 GMT

Part of the pride in sampeling is using an obscure song. How many people can claim that they are familiar with The Five Stairsteps "Danger! She's A Stranger"? (and why are there 6 of them in the picture?) But thats just how this group does. Many people (including myself) say that Kanye has very shallow crates. Frequently, he takes songs that are well known and flips them in to hip hop beats. The beats are hot, no doubt, but they rarely make you think, "where did he get that loop from?" (my last post is excluded. yes, kanye produced "doin' my job" for t.i.!) So here's the "challenge" (it will be easy for the heads out there). This group samples quite frequently, but: 1. rarely can you tell that the song contains a sample 2. you probably never heard the song So here's your one clue (you shouldn't need one): 96 was that year! Drop your answers in the comments section.

Hey, don't blame me! I'm just doing my job!

Verbal Cryogenics — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 03:46:27 GMT

So it's been a while since I posted!!!?!?! I was just doing my job! My REAL job! The one that keeps the lights on. I wish I could do music for a living. But I can't, so listening and posting about it is the closest thing I have. So with the inspiration of my wonderful job, I bring you another great soul song used as a sample, Bloodstone's "I'm Just Doing My Job". Once again, a song that is as enjoyable to listen to as the song that was created from it, T.I.'s "Doin' My Job". T.I.'s vivid description of day to day hustling in the trap almost makes you think you were there with him, even if you never slang one ounce of anything in your life! So if you are getting a hard time on your job, working long hours with no appreciation, getting harrassed for doing what needs to be done, this song is for you. Keep doin' your job!

Bobby Womack Sample Answers

Verbal Cryogenics — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 18:46:33 GMT

The answers you all have been waiting for! Shout out to Duke for getting Little Brother. The name of their song is "Speed". The one that was not mentioned was Blackstar's "Bright As The Stars". Enjoy! Stay tuned for more soon!

Too Fast For Me....

Verbal Cryogenics — Sat, 30 Sep 2006 21:39:42 GMT

Ok, this round I'm not giving away the answer. There's no music like soul music. Soul music, not the R&B pop stuff you hear on the radio now days. I'm talking about songs with conviction, tact, and live instrumentation. Songs that evoke a mood. Mr. Womack is one of the best soul singers in my opinion because he displays all of those listed characteristics in every song of his I've ever heard. I believe those qualities are lacking in today’s music. There ARE a few artists out that continue on in the tradition such as Anthony Hamilton, Jill Scott, and Angie Stone. There are a few Hip Hop artists today who also make songs with conviction, tact, and also evoke a mood. In fact, the groups that sampled this song are among my favorites all time because they embody those characteristics. Average dudes, not bragging, just living their life and telling their story. A story more relatable and acceptable than most of what we are hearing on the radio. The only clue I'm giving is the title of this episode. If you think you know the answer, drop it in the comments section. There are 2 possible answers.

A Song For You

Verbal Cryogenics — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 15:00:31 GMT

When something is created from high quality products, the offspring have no option but to be a high quality product also. Just as my podcast is inspired by http://kgrayson.podomatic.com/ , Common's "Retrospect For Life" is a product of a Donny Hathaway and a Stevie Wonder sample. From two of the greatest soul artists, we get, in my opinion, one of Common's greatest songs. His ability to convey his stream of consciousness into rhythmic form without being graphic is reminiscent of the lyrical prowess of the artists that were sampled (although Donny Hathaway was not the first artist to perform "A Song for you"). But enough from me, the music speaks for itself.