six in the mornin' police at my door,
fresh adidas sneakers across the bathroom floor,
through the back window i make my escape,
didn't even have time to grab my old school tape
Ice T - Six In The Morning
I was reading George this morning and he links to this article on PNS about hip hop and hip hop beats returning to their roots. The article sites in particular The Clipse' "Grindin" (a Neptunes produced song) which has the same thump and crack style beat as Run DMC's earlier joints (think Sucker MC's, Hard Times, It's Like That). I love the song Grindin' just because of the beat. While I was in Los Angeles there was a commercial being played constantly that featured Reverand Run rapping over the Grindin' beat. I swear, I thought I had been transferred back to 1983 when I first heard Sucker MCs in my uncle's bedroom.
Back in April 1999 I was sitting at "the spot" with the homies when the news came over the radio that Roger Troutman had been shot dead by his brother Larry. We were in shock. I grew up on Roger music. Too many dances in the school gym bouncing to "Heartbreaker", "Doo Wa Ditty", "Grapevine" and "I Can Make You Dance". Too many slow grinds to "Computer Love" and "I Wanna Be Your Man". He made huge contributions to West Coast hip hop music. I didn't realize until I read this article that their music was played mainly on the west coast. I remember when Zapp and Roger dominated the radio. We'd be outside playing hopscotch in front of my grandmother's house in South L.A. and cars would be driving up and down the street banging those bass intensive songs that made you want to get up and start moving around.
And of course, we cannot forget the anthem for the westside, "California Love". When that song came out I was so happy to see him making music again because it was what I grew up on, that talkbox voice singing falsetto over booming tracks. If not for Roger and Zapp there would probably be no Shirley Murcock hits either since she started out singing in their group. This article took me back. I feel all sentimental. I guess I'll be hunting down Roger and Zapp albums now.
Yes, you mention Zapp and Roger to some folks and they only know him from "California Love"
but I adore "zoobedubopduboobubop I wanna love, zoobedubop computer love"
Roger was no joke.
More bounce to the ounce is my favorite song. Or I heard through the grapevine. I have the Zapps and Rogers greatest hits cd. *blush*
damn, how could i forget "so ruff"?
When I was in high school (early 80's) I know the CD I had (Zapp II) also featured the 10+ minute version of "Dance Floor". When I was growing up, I used to listen to to "The Countdown" with host Walt "Baby" Love. I remember recording "Dance Floor" on an 8-track. I also had the cuts "Do You Really Want An Answer" and "Do Wah Ditty". Shirley Murdock wasn't on that cut, but Janetta Boyce, the first female that they had with the group, was there...
Imagine being in Southern Alabama grooving to this cut every day...now I'm all caught up in the music again....dayum.....