In my latest article for BeatTips.com, I discuss music referencing and the importance of having balanced musical influences. Read the article, and let's all talk about the points raised within it.
I love this article. I think Toomp is living proof of this article he uses the past and present sounds effectively to create his own. I think i might use the "past" sound too much but I am trying to incorporate some more new elements in there to help create my own new sound.
I love this article. I think Toomp is living proof of this article he uses the past and present sounds effectively to create his own. I think i might use the "past" sound too much but I am trying to incorporate some more new elements in there to help create my own new sound.
DK, you make a great point. I, too, believe that one of the things that really sets DJ Toomp apart is his commitment to bridging the past with the now.
As for using the past "too much," hmmm... I don't think that you use the past too much. I think you're a student of the past, much l like am. But you're also an artist who has interests of the day. I think you have more than enough room to incorporate some contemporary elements into your style and sound. But it's up to each beatmaker to be honest about the sound and style that they like. If you're going after a sound and style, just because others are doing it now, that's not being honest with yourself. Bottom line: Trust what you like; more importantly, trust your own intuition. In the end, people gravitate towards the honesty in your music.
DK, you make a great point. I, too, believe that one of the things that really sets DJ Toomp apart is his commitment to bridging the past with the now.
As for using the past "too much," hmmm... I don't think that you use the past too much. I think you're a student of the past, much l like am. But you're also an artist who has interests of the day. I think you have more than enough room to incorporate some contemporary elements into your style and sound. But it's up to each beatmaker to be honest about the sound and style that they like. If you're going after a sound and style, just because others are doing it now, that's not being honest with yourself. Bottom line: Trust what you like; more importantly, trust your own intuition. In the end, people gravitate towards the honesty in your music.
— Sa'id
Good post. I have never seen the movie "mo' Better Blues" yet either, I'm going to have to get on that ASAP.
DK, you make a great point. I, too, believe that one of the things that really sets DJ Toomp apart is his commitment to bridging the past with the now.
As for using the past "too much," hmmm... I don't think that you use the past too much. I think you're a student of the past, much l like am. But you're also an artist who has interests of the day. I think you have more than enough room to incorporate some contemporary elements into your style and sound. But it's up to each beatmaker to be honest about the sound and style that they like. If you're going after a sound and style, just because others are doing it now, that's not being honest with yourself. Bottom line: Trust what you like; more importantly, trust your own intuition. In the end, people gravitate towards the honesty in your music.
— Sa'id
couldn't have said it any better sa'id. everyone has their own taste/ear and beatmakers tend to make music that captivates/interests them. it's the open mindedness of the beatmaker that helps them incorporate the past, present and future into their music along with their influences and style. I used to have to force myself to add contemporary elements into my production and it always came out like hot garbage. The second I stopped forcing myself I discovered a way to add contemporary elements that fit my style and influences. Honesty in ones music is the only way you can fully express yourself through your music.
couldn't have said it any better sa'id. everyone has their own taste/ear and beatmakers tend to make music that captivates/interests them. it's the open mindedness of the beatmaker that helps them incorporate the past, present and future into their music along with their influences and style. I used to have to force myself to add contemporary elements into my production and it always came out like hot garbage. The second I stopped forcing myself I discovered a way to add contemporary elements that fit my style and influences. Honesty in ones music is the only way you can fully express yourself through your music.
d.c.,
Yep. You're right on, man. Whenever a beatmaker "forces" something into his music, it sounds really contrived and just plain whack. I think whenever some "new" sound trend comes out, many beatmakers naturally try to see if they can do it. But the better beatmakers focus on how to make those trends work within their own style and sound.
Case in point, I remember when I first got word that Gang Starr was going to do a song with K-Ci & Jo Jo, called "Royalty." At the time, my first thought was: "What the fuck? 'K-Ci & Jo Jo, singing on a Gang Starr track?" But when the song came out, it was clear that DJ Premier had made a joint that bridged his style and sound with one of the popular trends of the day.
For "Royalty," Premier made a beat that was just as creative and hard as any other that he had made thus. It still had some bangin' ass drum sounds; it still had cuts and scratches; it still had incredible sample chops; and the drum framework was crazy! And it's worth noting that one of the benefits of Premier incorporating something new was that it helped expand his core style and sound.
Yep. You're right on, man. Whenever a beatmaker "forces" something into his music, it sounds really contrived and just plain whack. I think whenever some "new" sound trend comes out, many beatmakers naturally try to see if they can do it. But the better beatmakers focus on how to make those trends work within their own style and sound.
Case in point, I remember when I first got word that Gang Starr was going to do a song with K-Ci & Jo Jo, called "Royalty." At the time, my first thought was: "What the fuck? 'K-Ci & Jo Jo, singing on a Gang Starr track?" But when the song came out, it was clear that DJ Premier had made a joint that bridged his style and sound with one of the popular trends of the day.
For "Royalty," Premier made a beat that was just as creative and hard as any other that he had made thus. It still had some bangin' ass drum sounds; it still had cuts and scratches; it still had incredible sample chops; and the drum framework was crazy! And it's worth noting that one of the benefits of Premier incorporating something new was that it helped expand his core style and sound.
Gang Starr featuring K-Ci and Jo Jo - "Royalty"
— Sa'id
I agree. Another thing is that when people want to collaborate with Premier they are going to him to get that gritty music, so doing something completely out of his own realm would just suck IMO
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