Archive for the ‘fela kuti’ tag
If you’re not familiar with Hank Shocklee of the legendary production team, the Bomb Squad, then you’re sleeping on one of the most innovative and seminal producers in hip-hop history. Along with his brother Keith (who together created the Bomb Squad) Hank was the principal architect behind Public Enemy’s sound throughout the ’80s and ’90s. He’s Chuck D’s most trusted producer and he’s also credited with creating key recordings for a variety of artists such as Madonna, Slick Rick, Bell Biv Devoe, LL Cool J, & Run DMC. And that’s just naming a few.
What’s always stood out to me about Hank Shocklee is the way he’s embraced futurism at every stage of his career. He’s also approached beat-making the same way Jean-Michel Basquiat approached a blank canvas — it’s always retro, forward-thinking, abstract, genius, and teetering on the edge of simplistic all at once. I met the guy back in 1998 while hanging out inside of his New York recording studio (long story) and he was just as stoney and outer planetary and kindhearted and down to earth as one would expect. It’s like, if you meet Hank Shocklee, you automatically can expect that he’ll be A) No Bullshit and B) No Bullshit. He didn’t disappoint. Interestingly enough, I just came across a radio podcast that he did for Red Bull and it’s full of old school gems. It’s one of the more educational podcats you’ll ever encounter. If you want to stream it… all you need to do is click this: RBMA Radio – Hank Shocklee (Shocklee Innertainment, New York City) – Headphone Highlights. Full tracklist after the jump.
Thanks to the homie Gabriel Teodros for hooking up this link through the facebook a couple months ago. I should have posted it sooner.
Acclaimed DJ/Producer, J.Period, and rising Somali-born MC, K’NAAN, are pleased to announce a unique and powerful remix project, paying tribute to the lasting legacy of these musical giants. Weaving afro-beat, reggae, ska, folk music and rock into this genre-bending musical experience, The Messengers stretches the boundaries of hip hop—and the mixtape genre itself. Remixing the classic work of Fela, Marley and Dylan, The Messengers captures the timelessness of their sounds and the continued urgency of their messages. The result, as fans have come to expect from J.Period, is like no mixtape you’ve ever heard.
