Live Hip Hop Bass

[Hestan]

Hi guys,

I've recently been checking out a lot of hip-hop bass with live stuff like Common, and the Roots in particular. Here's a bit of one of his live tracks I found on Letterman

'Real People' by rapper Common, from a live show on Letterman:

http://www.johnnycopland.com/?p=954

hope you enjoy and if there are any other funk/soul/rnb/jazz tracks you fancy having a look at let me know.

Does anyone know who that is on the bass in his live band? New York cat? Nice stuff anyway!

peace and heavy grooving,

Johnny

[pbass2]

That might be Braylon Lacy---can't really see him. Also played with Erykah Badu among others. Dope.

[DJS]

I wish more hip hop shows used live bassists. The soulless electronic beat floating out of a stack of speakers just isn't very exciting. Is this just not technically feasible in a lot of cases?

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by DJS

I wish more hip hop shows used live bassists. The soulless electronic beat floating out of a stack of speakers just isn't very exciting. Is this just not technically feasible in a lot of cases?

it's not that it's not technically feasible. it's that it's not monetarily feasible. machines you only have to pay once. and considering how much most hip hop artists worship the almighty dollar (and it's not just exclusive to hip hop acts, either, trust me), many of them want to put every cent they can in their own pockets.

[skwee]

In defense of some artists, though, not every tune, especially some heavily-sampled tunes needs a real bass player on it. That is not to say there couldn't be, and I'd LOVE to hear more live instruments on everything, all the time. The artists that do have more instrumentalists are "better" in my mind and to my ear anyway, and that's where my dollars and encouragement go.

[chancletarock]

I've had the pleasure of playing with a fair amount of the rap scene in the twin cities and it's one of my favorite gigs to do. However finding a bankroll for a three piece behind a rapper is almost impossible. It seems like here there are just as many rappers a indie rockers( and that says a lot)- that means that there's no shortage of "talent" for the venues, which means a lot of shows pay based on the door, which means .

I really suggest trying out a jam with some rappers though- it's a whole 'nother bag- and you don't even have to like rap or try to "play rap" to do it.

[kuys]

In defense of some artists, though, not every tune, especially some heavily-sampled tunes needs a real bass player on it. That is not to say there couldn't be, and I'd LOVE to hear more live instruments on everything, all the time. The artists that do have more instrumentalists are "better" in my mind and to my ear anyway, and that's where my dollars and encouragement go.

I have lines and guitar licks on all kinds of local Lexington Kentucky rap acts, their raps are horrible and subject matter assanine. But I got credit on all the linear notes but not a cent. Not that any of them actually made any money. Most were just kids who for some reason glorified the lifestyle of being a douchebag IMO. Not all mind you but most I've met and played with. There were a few that had subject matter that was deep and tracks that were experimental. But in the world of rap that doesn't sell.

I tried to talk a few of them into live bands but they wouldn't have it. Many didn't want to pay the band or they felt it would draw attention away from them. A live band is one of the reasons I was such a huge Beastie Boy's fan back in the day. I'm rambling, I know. I'm a huge fan of hip-hop but rap (which I consider a sub-genre) has destroyed any real chance for a hip-hop act with a good message and good music from being heard. Expections would be Jurassic Five, Del, and few others.

[hover]

there was a great, similar thread on this back about 7months to a year ago...alot of like-minded folks. I love trying my hand at hip-hop basslines, and wish I could get something like that goin as there are some great emcees in my neck of the woods, but not to be had, yet....fingers crossed.

edit: AH, here it is

tb Hip hop Roundtable

[AcidFripp]

Originally Posted by kuys

I'm a huge fan of hip-hop but rap (which I consider a sub-genre)

Just a technicality here, but rap isn't a genre. It's a style of vocal delivery which happens to be used with hip-hop music often. But now always, as instrumental hip-hop does exist.

[gkbass13]

To the OP, check out Erykah Badu, Pharaoh Monch, old Outkast(preston crump absolutely KILLS!) D'Angelo(Pino played with him a lot), Talib Kweli tours with a live band now, Snoop plays with a live band a lot, Jay-Z occasionally plays with a crazy good live band of top notch players, Mos Def has his band-Black Jack Johnson....there is a lot fo really good live hip hop out there.

For something a tad more obscure, The Gorillaz do some amazing stuff incorporating all different types of music.

[AcidFripp]

Oh, and when I found out that Mos Def played the bass parts on Black On Both Sides, I was quite pleasantly surprised!

[Gaetano Paul]

I saw JayZ on Letterman and his bassist was phenominal. The whole band was great. They did one of those play piecs of all the hit songs in 5 minutes. Very versatile. No way they could have pulled it off with all analog boards.

[MarTONEbass]

Originally Posted by Gaetano Paul

They did one of those play piecs of all the hit songs in 5 minutes.

You mean a medley?

I love a good medley.