I think I could be a massive hip hop fan (especially with southern roots, they are SO catchy!) IF ONLY they didn't insist on crooning out absolutely offensive and downright annoying lyrics with those really outstanding tunes.
Does it all have to be about crime or calling women all kind of juvenile names?! It irritates me so much because I really dig the whole rhythm and the complex multi-layered arrangements of several hip hop artists but I just don't want to listen to them singing about how they clobbered someone to death (and not in a black noir way, either) or how their guns and drugs are so cool.
Of course, I have the option of turning off the vocal frequencies, but the problem is the vocals are so much a part of the melody and rhythm in the song, the song loses a LOT if you eliminate the vocals.
Man, how I wish they all sang/rapped in French!
Hippety hop dilemma.
Tinypliny's Journal
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11/19/2010 00:28 #53123
Hip Hop Love HateCategory: music
11/15/2010 22:30 #53109
Clave CrazyCategory: music
Okay, I spent every minute of my mp3-player time today playing traditional salsa by greats like Roberto Torres (and OMG-so-popular-its-POP Marc Anthony) and listening for this Clave Rhythm:
I am nowhere close to deciphering this elusive rhythm in real salsa songs. But the funny thing is I can now hear it clear as day in Prodigy's d&b hit.
(Yeah, I know. Weirdest video ever. And I have no idea what they are croaking on about in the middle of all those raving-loony-peeping-into-screen dance moves. They definitely need the hospital. Any hospital. But listen to that clave right there! Listen to that d&b clave!)
At this rate, I might start hearing the clave when people speak. Who knows...
PS: Being a bit salsa-clave-overzealous nutcase here but I also found a software called "The Salsa Rhythm Machine" at this
I am going to give it a whirl and report back.
PPS: The Salsa & Merengue Society's website is an absolute delight It's so plain and innocuous but every little corner is a nifty surprise!
I am nowhere close to deciphering this elusive rhythm in real salsa songs. But the funny thing is I can now hear it clear as day in Prodigy's d&b hit.
(Yeah, I know. Weirdest video ever. And I have no idea what they are croaking on about in the middle of all those raving-loony-peeping-into-screen dance moves. They definitely need the hospital. Any hospital. But listen to that clave right there! Listen to that d&b clave!)
At this rate, I might start hearing the clave when people speak. Who knows...
PS: Being a bit salsa-clave-overzealous nutcase here but I also found a software called "The Salsa Rhythm Machine" at this
I am going to give it a whirl and report back.PPS: The Salsa & Merengue Society's website is an absolute delight
It's so plain and innocuous but every little corner is a nifty surprise! tinypliny - 11/19/10 19:00
The clave rhythm is right at the top of the post. It's the underlying beat of the Prodigy song and also central to all salsa music (that essentially has African roots). Since you are brought it up, I do like the Prodigy a lot. Their last album (Invaders must die) really had some catchy stuff. :-) They are to D&B what Elvis is to pop-swing & pop-blues.
The clave rhythm is right at the top of the post. It's the underlying beat of the Prodigy song and also central to all salsa music (that essentially has African roots). Since you are brought it up, I do like the Prodigy a lot. Their last album (Invaders must die) really had some catchy stuff. :-) They are to D&B what Elvis is to pop-swing & pop-blues.
metalpeter - 11/19/10 18:14
Ihave no idea whata clave rhytm is. I like Prodigy the only thing is like Nickleback (yes I like them to) all there stuff kinda sounds the same (same with rage against the michine)....
Ihave no idea whata clave rhytm is. I like Prodigy the only thing is like Nickleback (yes I like them to) all there stuff kinda sounds the same (same with rage against the michine)....
tinypliny - 11/18/10 22:11
Poeple! This post is not really about the Prodigy. It was about spotting clave rhythms! FOCUS!
Poeple! This post is not really about the Prodigy. It was about spotting clave rhythms! FOCUS!
enknot - 11/17/10 10:05
Peter, it was because it came out around the same time as the Lady Di car crash and there was a crash in the video or something I think.
They um, I don't know about this band. I really liked smacking my bitch up to their tunes for a while, and starting fires, but I know if I had to go to a hospital I would not want to hear this shit...
I guess it's just what happens when you get so successful that your friends can't even tell you that an idea you have might not be so good. Whatever, I'm sure some UK teen is just jumping in front of cars dancing to this tune waiting for it to be the theme music for his trip...
Peter, it was because it came out around the same time as the Lady Di car crash and there was a crash in the video or something I think.
They um, I don't know about this band. I really liked smacking my bitch up to their tunes for a while, and starting fires, but I know if I had to go to a hospital I would not want to hear this shit...
I guess it's just what happens when you get so successful that your friends can't even tell you that an idea you have might not be so good. Whatever, I'm sure some UK teen is just jumping in front of cars dancing to this tune waiting for it to be the theme music for his trip...
metalpeter - 11/16/10 18:55
If I remember correctly "Smack My Bitch Up" got banned as a video for some time and was pretty controversial at the time. I guess people thought it was about hitting your bitch but I thought they meant like shotting smack. Then at the end of the video a women is revealed ........... So you would think maybe people didn't watch the entire video? Or maybe people did get the drug message????
If I remember correctly "Smack My Bitch Up" got banned as a video for some time and was pretty controversial at the time. I guess people thought it was about hitting your bitch but I thought they meant like shotting smack. Then at the end of the video a women is revealed ........... So you would think maybe people didn't watch the entire video? Or maybe people did get the drug message????
paul - 11/16/10 10:11
I used to love prodigy but then one time I when I was in my late teens I consumed to many drugs and was trapped in a car listening to them for like 3 hours. After that I was done after that for a long time.
I used to love prodigy but then one time I when I was in my late teens I consumed to many drugs and was trapped in a car listening to them for like 3 hours. After that I was done after that for a long time.
11/14/2010 18:31 #53105
Salsa for the SoulCategory: dance
Cue music!
I godzilla-stomped through Sarah and Sean's basic dance moves and yet, they made me feel as if I was their best dancer on the floor. They are probably the most amazing pair of teachers I have ever met.
At some levels, their class reminds me of the days I struggled to comprehend the molecular orbital theory. In fact, salsa and the orbital theory share more intricacies than you might think is possible. It's all about energy levels, subshells, orbitals and spins. Solo salsa steps closely mirror the energy densities of s, p and d orbitals.
At the heart of all salsa steps is a return to a high energy center - the S orbital.
You step out of the center and distribute the energy a bit to the periphery capturing the P orbitals.
The d orbital is all those twirls and twists subtly layered on top of the p energy density distribution.
And if you didn't guess already, the f orbital houses the salsa shines and some of the inspired freestyles by Sarah!
The molecular orbitals or partnered dancing becomes easier once you get the gist of the atomic orbitals or solo salsa! Oh, and there is also this perplexing mystery of how exactly one picks up the rhythm of the clave in the music and decides to dance on-1 or on-2.
I spent a good chunk of time listening to the Salsa Beat Machine at the but the beat of this quirky instrument is one of the toughest to isolate in the middle of all the other instrument racket. I read somewhere that some people are born with the rhythm resonating in their bones. I think I can believe this easily of Sean and Sarita. There is something so very inherently rhythmic about the way they move. If one of them is dancing, they can make even the most waddly of partners look graceful and poised.
PS: Drop by the Configuration Dance Studio (at the corner of Ashland and Lexington at 7:15 PM on Thursday evenings) for some super-stylish Salsa Chemisty with Sean and Sarah! Catch up with Salsa for the Soul at: and
I godzilla-stomped through Sarah and Sean's basic dance moves and yet, they made me feel as if I was their best dancer on the floor. They are probably the most amazing pair of teachers I have ever met.
At some levels, their class reminds me of the days I struggled to comprehend the molecular orbital theory. In fact, salsa and the orbital theory share more intricacies than you might think is possible. It's all about energy levels, subshells, orbitals and spins. Solo salsa steps closely mirror the energy densities of s, p and d orbitals.
At the heart of all salsa steps is a return to a high energy center - the S orbital.
You step out of the center and distribute the energy a bit to the periphery capturing the P orbitals.
The d orbital is all those twirls and twists subtly layered on top of the p energy density distribution.
And if you didn't guess already, the f orbital houses the salsa shines and some of the inspired freestyles by Sarah!
The molecular orbitals or partnered dancing becomes easier once you get the gist of the atomic orbitals or solo salsa! Oh, and there is also this perplexing mystery of how exactly one picks up the rhythm of the clave in the music and decides to dance on-1 or on-2.
I spent a good chunk of time listening to the Salsa Beat Machine at the
but the beat of this quirky instrument is one of the toughest to isolate in the middle of all the other instrument racket. I read somewhere that some people are born with the rhythm resonating in their bones. I think I can believe this easily of Sean and Sarita. There is something so very inherently rhythmic about the way they move. If one of them is dancing, they can make even the most waddly of partners look graceful and poised. 
PS: Drop by the Configuration Dance Studio (at the corner of Ashland and Lexington at 7:15 PM on Thursday evenings) for some super-stylish Salsa Chemisty with Sean and Sarah! Catch up with Salsa for the Soul at:
and tinypliny - 11/18/10 22:16
I meant to come!! But I fell asleep IN costume! It was the lamest thing I have done in a long while. I woke up the next morning at 11:00 AM with one of the skeletons from my costume digging into my arm and giving me a massive bruise. I so sorry I missed you and (e:hodown)! Couldn't have been lamer.
I meant to come!! But I fell asleep IN costume! It was the lamest thing I have done in a long while. I woke up the next morning at 11:00 AM with one of the skeletons from my costume digging into my arm and giving me a massive bruise. I so sorry I missed you and (e:hodown)! Couldn't have been lamer.
lilho - 11/17/10 13:44
you're insane. why did you not come to the party?
you're insane. why did you not come to the party?
tinypliny - 11/14/10 22:07
I knew some connection would pop up! It is amazing really. Someone ALWAYS knows someone else you know and it kind of links up in Buffalo.
Do you mean Sarah or Sean? Sean told me he is from NYC, but Sarah is from here - so you mean Sarah?
I hope you are still friends... "Used to be" is an ambiguous phrase.
I knew some connection would pop up! It is amazing really. Someone ALWAYS knows someone else you know and it kind of links up in Buffalo.
Do you mean Sarah or Sean? Sean told me he is from NYC, but Sarah is from here - so you mean Sarah?
I hope you are still friends... "Used to be" is an ambiguous phrase.
paul - 11/14/10 21:42
Oh we used to be friends with your dance teacher's sister when we live on elmwood. Good luck with dancing.
Oh we used to be friends with your dance teacher's sister when we live on elmwood. Good luck with dancing.
11/14/2010 09:51 #53101
Pom Poms!Category: the odes
11/11/2010 14:10 #53091
At homeCategory: the odes
I am at home on a sunny beautiful weekday after a really long time. As wonderful as it sounds, it's not even remotely satisfying. Every 10 minutes, I am coughing out what looks like greenish-greyish-yellowish globs of primordial slime. I am sorely tempted to post a gross picture here but I am trying not to offend (e:libertad). :-)
The thing is I have dance class at 7:15 today. And these two are my instructors:
I know. It's intimidating, especially when you have cold and can't think straight. Last week, I was caught up in lab and crashed the intermediate class instead of the beginners class. It didn't do my confidence any good but it was fun to watch all the footwork and see Sarah and Sean dance. I am hoping that I am well enough to get there at 7:15 today.
Oh and before I forget, I can't really be at home for long because my cells need some TLC in the lab.
The thing is I have dance class at 7:15 today. And these two are my instructors:
I know. It's intimidating, especially when you have cold and can't think straight. Last week, I was caught up in lab and crashed the intermediate class instead of the beginners class. It didn't do my confidence any good but it was fun to watch all the footwork and see Sarah and Sean dance. I am hoping that I am well enough to get there at 7:15 today.
Oh and before I forget, I can't really be at home for long because my cells need some TLC in the lab.
metalpeter - 11/11/10 17:16
The Exercise will be great for you. It will make you move and get your body going and make you breath heavy and force things out of you and the sweeting will be good for you as well have fun....
The Exercise will be great for you. It will make you move and get your body going and make you breath heavy and force things out of you and the sweeting will be good for you as well have fun....
Hmm ok first...I think we started somewhere around summer or fall of 2009, although I checked through my old journals for confirmation of that and I couldn't tell for sure. Stacy is the first girl who dances in the gray hoodie. She actually started after Felly and I did, but kept going after we left. It's funny you mention the acrobatics side of b-boying, because that is part of why I stopped going.. I was very into the hip hop movement aspects of it, but not so much into the tricks part (which of course takes more upper body strength, which I am seriously lacking.) If you are looking to get to work quicker, have you checked out parkour? If not, do!
And, I have never heard of hip hop yoga!! I have never taken any yoga at all, although I have always thought it sounded pretty awesome...but hip hop yoga sounds super awesome. Hmm...something to consider!
Btw, did you ever consider hip hop yoga? :::link::: It sounds contrary - but might be balance between super-frenzied battles and getting a smidgen too calm.
I must admit that the only motive driving me to take the hip hop classes is not all the lofty battling but maybe... just maybe a graceful way to vault over the numerous walls on my way to and fro from work (I know. Its right DOWN there in the list of über-pathetic motives that anyone can have to take hip hop lessons!)
WOW - that was very impressive! Is she the one in black or the rainbow colours! Did she actually start with you - as a complete beginner? When was it again that you first went to the class - 2009 fall?
Unfortunately, Felly and I don't take classes anymore. Honestly, it was way more physically demanding than I think either of us had expected and we weren't getting anywhere because we weren't doing the work outside of class. There is, however, a girl who we used to take classes with who has gotten amazingly good over the last year and now battles with the guys, which I think is awesome. This is her: :::link:::
Everything is good with us...Felly is a jerk and never comes on here...I always read everybody's stuff, I just don't post! So I am lurking :)
Thank you!! Thank you!! I will check them out!!
I know about the battles (from your and (e:heidi)'s numerous posts!) but somehow never made it to them or to your hip hop class but I am determined that I will these coming months. Do you still take the classes or am I thinking too elementary - and you and (e:Felly) have gone on to the next stage and actually battle people? :-)
How is everything?? You rarely post! (e:Felly) never posts! I miss you guys SO MUCH!
Dearest Tiny. First, check out Nappy Roots :::link:::
... I wouldn't say they are all positive, but that have that Southern sound that I love and hopefully you will love it too. As far as hip hop goes, there is a ton of really good hip hop that isn't so marketed and offensive. If you haven't heard of Outkast, definitely check them out. Also, I recommend Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def, The Fugees/Lauryn Hill,and K-OS.
Also, perhaps Sara has talked about Battle @ Buffalo in class...I highly recommend going there to hear some really good music that you just can't find anywhere else, and if you feel so inclined, buy one of DJ Simple's mixed CD's at the Battle. He has amazing taste.
There is another facet to all hip hop though... It somehow evolved as a form of expression for the oppressed and in some way, the wronged. So maybe its unfair of me to say that I like the melodies and the rhythm but I am not comfortable with the content - because its almost like saying, hey I love your body, but please don't open your mouth. Very shallow in a way. :(
OH MY MY! Pigeon John ROCKS! \m/ NICE one (e:enknot)! Please could you link more?!!!!! I especially like southern-influences hip hop (think T.I., Petey Pablo, Lil Boosie, Missy Elliot, Chamillionaire).
Their is Asian Hip Hop! Not sure where you would find it though and how you would understand it not sure. I relative of mine who works lives in Korea got back into it over there. See Not to sterotype to much but when Asain's get into it they take the positive out of it and don't go all gangsta...
Now Point #2 all the negative stuff is what you see and hear in Videos. There used to be a lot of positve artists who they are now I have no idea......... Sure you can look them up... Oh Yeah when bands like NWA and Ice Cube later blew up (Gangsta Rap) there where bands Like Pete Rock & CL Smooth and Boogie Down Productions that where an entirly different thing so I'm sure there is another movement (two local groups to looks up are Type Relevet and Constant Climax [not sure if they are still together I knew some one in the band]. I'm no expert seeing as I got sick of rap and hip hop or what ever you want to call it, you just have to look it up...
:::link:::
I am sure there is french hip hop. I used to listed to a lot of German hiphop. It wasn't quite as degrading but it still did seem to have a lot of bravado.