Destructo Swarmbot

Don't ask, I don't think I ever got an explanation for the title either

Long story:

This is the first time I ever worked with an MC. My cohort at the time, Tungsten9 (he does the rapping and is no slouch at beatmaking), was stuck with this one, his beat wasn't coming out as he wanted it to. He sent me all the little scraps and samples he was using over AIM and asked me to remix it for him, see what I could come up with. It was some space-age future hiphop stuff; I couldn't come up with anything that didn't sound like crap.

By coincidence I was working on another beat at the same time, and decided to mess with the BPMs a little and throw old Tungsten's vocals over it. Kind of a summer jam, I knew it wasn't the right feel but it would be good for a laugh.

I sent it back to him, and he LOVED it. So did a surprising number of others I played it for, despite the appalling sound quality and mixing. I got the best ever compliment I've ever received on this one, someone said it reminded them of De La Soul circa 3 Feet and Rising. I don't agree, but that's some high praise!

Anyways, it came on my iPod on my way home from work today, a beautiful hot summer day. I thought I'd share this one because I'm sure as hell not gonna share my beer and barbecue with you.

(Get Flash to see the track player.)
posted by Hoopo (4 comments total)

Since it was the first song I ever had with a raw vocal track to work with, it was remixed about 16 dozen times by myself and another beatmaking friend, El Cibio. It's all we had to work with, and without vocals you actually have to put effort into making a beat interesting on its' own. We're sick to death of the vocals from having heard them WAY too many times; it's become a bit of a joke between us. Anytime we're frustrated making a new beat, when getting things synced up properly seems impossible, we'll put on our best Tungsten voice and say "Deez days..."
posted by Hoopo at 5:40 PM on July 16

I dig it. Reminds me a bit of A Tribe Called Quest. The "bad" sound quality is a plus, not a minus.
posted by The World Famous at 6:18 PM on July 16

I dig it too. It definitely feels like badass 90s hiphop, which is pretty much awesome.
posted by nosila at 7:22 PM on July 16

I think it may have been made in 1999, so I'll take "badass 90s hiphop" and run with it.
posted by Hoopo at 5:19 PM on July 17