MUS 1600 "Walk this Way"
What two songs expanded the reach of hip hop beyond NYC?
"Rapper's Delight" (1979) "The Message" (1982)
What are some earlier examples of crossovers in music that attracted young whites?
- Ragtime - The Blues - Jazz - R&B (rock n roll)
What were the two extremely successful albums in 1986?
- Run DMC: Raising Hell (3 million records sold) - Beastie Boys: Licensed to III (7 million records sold)
What were the hip hop aspects of the 1986 remake of "Walk This Way"?
- use of drum machine rather than human drumer - use of scratching - rapped verses - visual aspects of video
When was "Walk This Way" recorded?
1986
Who originally recorded and wrote "Walk This Way"?
Aerosmith in 1975
What movie helped mainstream hip hop?
Breakin' - music, dancing, fashion
What record label were Run DMC and Beastie Boys' albums on?
Def Jam
When was Aerosmith's career fading?
In 1980s
Who wrote "Walk This Way"?
Joe Perry and Steven Tyler, 1975
What time period did hip hop "crossover" draw wider base of listeners, including young whites?
Mid 1980s
What did the cross over of hip hop bring in?
More money, due to young whites
Who produced both Run DMC and Beastie Boys' albums?
Rick Rubin
Who recorded "Walk This Way"?
Run DMC with Aerosmith
Who found Def Jam?
Russel Simmons
Who were the most successful crossover artists?
White people - raised questions of appropriation
Old 1975 "Walk This Way" version
a natural fit for a rap-rock remake - verses close to rap - rhythm influenced by funk
New 1986 "Walk This Way" version
revitalized Aerosmith's career - the epitome of "crossover hits"
What did Run DMC and Beastie Boys' albums blend?
rock and rap ("rap rock")
Run DC and The Beastie Boys
• Extremely successful albums in 1986 - Run DMC: Raising Hell (3 million records sold) - Beastie Boys: Licensed to III (7 million records sold) • Both albums on new label Def Jam Records (founder Russel Simmons); both produced by Rick Rubin • Both albums blend rock and rap ( called "rap rock") • All middle class families in NYC; all attend college
Hip Hop Goes mainsteam
• Success of "Rapper's Delight" (1979) and "The Message" (1982) expands reach of hip hop beyond NYC • Movie "Breakin" (1984) helps to mainstream hip hop (music, dancing, fashion) • In mid 1980s, hip hop "crosses over", draws wider base of listeners, including young whites (= more $) - earlier examples of this process: ragtime, the blues, jazz, R&B (rock n roll) - most successful crossover artists have usually been white raising questions of appropriation
"Walk This Way"
• originally written and recorded in 1975 by Aerosmith, popular hard rock group of 1970s • By 1980s Aerosmith's popularity was fading • Old 1975 version: a natural fit for rap-rock remake - versos are close to rap - rhythm influenced by funk • New 1986 version: revitalized Aerosmith's career - the epitome of "cross over hit" • Hip Hop aspects of 1986 remake: - use of drum machine rather than human drummer - use of scratching - rapped verses - visual aspects of video
