Since October of 2009, I have had some time off from work. As a young single man, I really didn’t know what to do with myself. Hang out with friends and family; Go on a few dates; See some movies; go to the gym. It was all good. Then it hit me, something I have always wanted to do: make beats. While in college, I used to rap all the time with friends. We would get in the cipher circle and spit these ridiculous freestyle verses over someones beat box. I missed those days. However, even though I would rhyme, I always had the desire to make hip-hop instrumentals. Sample heavy, chopped up and served with a juicy bass line and and some funky drum breaks.
I remember exactly what stopped me from pursuing it then: MONEY. At least that was my excuse. I always wanted to own an MPC 2000 XL with some turntables and just turn out my Dad’s record collection. I wanted to make tracks like De La Soul, Pete Rock, the Bomb Squad, Large Professor, Gang Starr, and Wu-Tang. But I never could afford any equipment. I remember when I was kid, while my parents were at work I used to sneak some of my Father’s records and spin them on his turntable, looking for a good loop. I remember digging out a Club Nouveau 12″, “Why You Treat Me So Bad”, and thinking to myself this would make a great beat to rhyme over. A couple of summers later, it turned into a hit single for the Luniz, “I Got 5 On It”. Same thing happened with Juicy, I was thinking to myself man this would be great if….. You know the deal. It became Biggie’s first single. I was little back then, just using my imagination.
Fast forward back to adulthood. With some time I have before I go back to work I decided to give beat making a try. I had a little money to spend on a home studio. Even though I still wanted an MPC, I just didn’t see myself making a big purchase like that just yet. For something that will become a hobby. I just wanted something to get me started. I purchased FL Studio 9 Producer Edition, KRK Rokit 6 Speakers, Akai MPD 18, Numark USB Turntable, and an M-Audio Oxygen 25. I purchased all this stuff for around $1000.00. So I just went straight to work, I borrowed some of my Father’s records and started sampling and chopping. All those ideas I had as a kid came flooding back. I’m very pleased with results so far. I even started making some tracks for some local rappers in my area. I am just having fun doing something that I truly enjoy.
Sampling is an art form. It does take skill to hear something, chop it up it little pieces and rearrange it into a new composition. Especially, If you are combining a sample with other sounds from records that have nothing to do with it. I watched DJ Shadow’s, “In Tune and on Time”, on DVD last night. I was just impressed with all of the samples he used to spark something new, fresh and even better than the original. That is talent! Truly inspiring stuff!
I used to play the piano while growing up and I really want to start taking lessons again. As a matter of fact, I have even entertained the idea of going back to school for a degree in music. Who would of thought, just some simple endeavor might turn into something long term?
But you know what, I just love music that much.
