Riffs on Riffs

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I Know You Want a Street Player Feb 13, 2019

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"Failure is the mother of all success," quotes multi-platinum recording artist and rapper, Armando "Pitbull" Perez. As someone who went from Miami street rapper to global brand ambassador, he fought and won the battle of 'starting from the bottom'. Pitbull has sold more than 70 million singles, has more than 67 million digital downloads, more than nine billion YouTube views, and has over 22 million Twitter followers and 59 million followers on Facebook. He's performed in over 50 countries for millions of people. It's no wonder they call him Mr. Worldwide. Joe & Toby take a look at one of Pitbull's mega hit's "I Know You Want Me" (2009) and connects the musical dots back to one of America's most prolific rock bands of all time.

What we geek out over in this episode: The legacy and music of Chicago, "25 Or 6 To 4" guitar chord progressions, "Street Player" by Rufus & Chaka Khan (1978), The Bucketheads "The Bomb" (1995), Nicola Fasano & Pat-Rich "75, Brazil Street" (2008), Anger Management Tour, Bad Boy Latino, and Pitbull's achievements, charity work and even some of his stage antics.

Bonus Material: Rufus & Chaka Khan influence and contribution to music.

True Memories of Bliss Jan 30, 2019

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In this episode, Joe and Toby explore the groundbreaking 1988 hip-hop duo P.M. Dawn and their De La Soul-esque 'romantic hip-hop' infused catalog of music. The group, composed of Jersey City brothers Attrell Cordes, known as Prince Be, and brother Jarrett Cordes, who went by DJ Minutemix, earned enormous success for their stream of pop hits in the 1990's. The focus track, "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" (1991) was P.M. Dawn's first (and only) number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 and features a sample - everyone will recognize - from a memorable 80's British new wave pop band.

What we geek out over in this episode: The soul music genre, saxophone solos, Bob James "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" (1974) and Run-DMC "Peter Piper" (1986), Joni Mitchell "The Boho Dance" (1975), Christina Applegate, MC KRS-One "The Bridge is Over" (1987) & "South Bronx" (1986), and the Boomerang movie (1992).

Bonus Material: Soul Searchers "Ashley's Roachclip" drum break from their 1974 album Salt of the Earth and the popular songs that sampled this memorable drum loop.

People Say You're That Somebody Jan 16, 2019

Show notes

Before her death at the young age of 22, Aaliyah had released three certified platinum albums, starred in two major film roles, launched the Timbaland and Missy Elliot revolution and became an innovator of the 90's generation R&B music scene. Joe and Toby reminisce on the life, legacy and music of Aaliyah, and the 70's funk band that inspired her Grammy nominated hit single "Are You That Somebody?" from the Dr. Doolittle soundtrack.

What we geek out over in this episode: New Orleans second line, Aaliyah's hits, history of the baby coo, Record Producer Timothy 'Timbaland' Mosley, Jodeci, and the music of Record Producer Allen Toussaint.

Bonus Material: New Orleans sound: the Neville Brothers, Aaron Neville "Everybody Plays the Fool" (1991), Galactic feat. Cyril Neville "You Don't Know" (2011) and Dumpstaphunk.

Nothing Alone Can Stop Me Jan 02, 2019

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From couch-surfer dropping EP's on Soundcloud to one of the hottest pop acts in the world, Halsey summits Spotify with ease, leaving behind her troubled past for a promising (and chart topping) future. Joe and Toby dive into the life and music of Halsey and her rise to the top. This includes a look back at another prominent female vocalists from the 1960's and the sample from her not-so-well known song that inspired Halsey's 2018 hit track "Alone."

What we geek out over in this episode: Power duo Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. and The 5th Dimension, "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" (1969), roller skating, R&B singer Jaheim "Could It Be" (2001), Terror Squad "Nothing's Gonna Stop Me" (2004), rapper/producer Black Milk "Shut It Down" (2007), and chipmunk soul.

Bonus Material: Iconic singer/songwriter Laura Nyro who penned several songs for The 5th Dimension, leaving a trail of hits that would impact the musical landscape of the 1960's and beyond.

Biggie Sheets Dec 19, 2018

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In this episode, Joe and Toby explore some of the most iconic hip hop tracks of the 1990's including, one of the greats, "Big Poppa" by The Notorious B.I.G. Unbeknownst to most of the world, this grammy nominated hit song, featured a not-so-well-known sample from a 1983 soul/funk group. This group created a ripple throughout time, inspiring many artists, from Gwen Stefani to Chance the Rapper, turning their legendary sounds into chart topping hits. So, if you are a fan of hip hop and love being surprised, this one's for you. What we geek out over in this episode: The Beatles "Twist & Shout" (1963), Jimi Hendrix "Testify" (1964), "Sexual Healing" music video, Da Brat "Funkdafied" (1994), Whitney Houston "One Of Those Days" (2002), Gwen Stefani "Luxurious" (2005), Jay-Z "Ignorant Sh*!" (2007), Mac Miller "Good Evening" (2010)

Bonus Material: Ice Cube "It Was A Good Day" (1993) samples Isley Brothers "Footsteps in the Dark" (1977)

The Tom Tom Fantasy Dec 05, 2018

Show notes

Mariah Carey's career - just shy of the 30-year mark - is a formidable force and one that still caps the Billboard charts. The recent release (Dec. 1) of her 15th studio album, Caution, acquired her eighth No. 1 on Billboard's Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart (trailing only Mary J. Blige and Aretha Franklin, both with 10 chart-topping sets; and The Temptations leading with 16 No. 1s.)

The mighty Mariah Carey proves that the power of a pop star knows no bounds. Before Beyoncé and Jay-Z's "Crazy in Love" 2003 collab, there was Mariah Carey and ODB's 1996 smash hit, "Fantasy". The New York Times calls it, "Mariah revolutionizing the blend between high-octane pop and hip-hop/rap." This statement is spot on, with over 50 collaborations with rappers over her career and beyond. Join hosts, Joe and Toby as they revel in the crazy vocal acrobatics of "Fantasy" and the 1980's new wave tune that inspired the 1995 mega hit. What we geek out over in this episode: Andre "Dr. Jeckyll" Harrell and Alonzo "Mr. Hyde" Brown - "The Champagne Of Rap," "It's Nasty" (Genius of Love) by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five (1981), Mark Morrison, Burger King's Return of The Mac N' Cheetos, Hanson, Erykah Badu, and a colorful analyzation of ODB(isms).

Bonus Material: Yo Gabba Gabba

The Hamilton Hip-Hop Mixtape Nov 21, 2018

Show notes

Hamilton, the theatrical powerhouse and a fixture of contemporary American culture, is the spotlight of Riffs on Riffs episode eight. This collision of American history, rap and hip-hop infused musical phenomenon, won 11 Tony awards in 2016 and continues to sell out shows across the United States. Joe and Toby enthusiastically explore Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical inspiration and how the songs and artists he grew up listening to are directly referenced throughout the show. As Mr. Miranda pays homage to the hip-hop greats, we too, celebrate the wonders of music sampling that created this miraculous thing called Hamilton.

What we geek out over in this episode: East Coast hip hop group Mobb Deep, Prolific rapper Big Pun, Notorious B.I.G., Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, DMX, Pirates of Penzance, and South Pacific the Musical.

Bonus Material: The Hamilton Mixtape of selected songs and remakes from the musical featuring Kelly Clarkson, Sia, Miguel & Queen Latifah.

When Doves Pray Nov 14, 2018

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It takes a village to raise rap's first-ever Diamond-seller. To help send his breakout album over the platinum hurdle, hip-hop artist MC Hammer enlisted - via sample and interpolation - Rick James, Marvin Gaye, The Chi-Lites, The Jackson 5, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sly & the Family Stone, James Brown (twice) and Prince (three times). It truly is no wonder Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em (released in 1990) has sold over 22 million units to date - more than 2Pac's Greatest Hits and Notorious B.I.G. Life After Death albums combined!

In this episode, Joe and Toby dive into the prolific life of Prince and how his music helped hammer a career path for a former bat boy of the Oakland A's. Purple fragments of Prince's "When Doves Cry" scatter throughout time, including MC Hammer's "Pray" and many more.

What we geek out over in this episode: Purple Rain (obviously), Kim Basinger (circa Batman), Larry Graham and the slap bass technique, Genuwine, George Clinton's Parliament "Give Up the Funk" (1975), and Faith No More's "Epic" (1989) song.

Bonus Material: Drum machines: Chamberlin Rhythmate, Wurlitzer Sideman, PAIA Programmable drum set, Linn LM-1 drum machine, and the Roland TR-808.

Double Bonus: The Metallica Cover "When Doves Cry" Intervention.

Thank You for Sittin' In My Rhythm Nation Nov 07, 2018

Show notes

In the midst of breaking out from behind her family's shadow and deeply wanting to communicate something meaningful in the face of great pressure to conform to corporate formulas, Janet Jackson released her iconic fourth studio album - Rhythm Nation 1814. (At the age of just 23 years old, mind you!) This landmark album fused Jackson's personal and political voice together, creating a cultural ripple effect that broke down race barriers and shook the respective social divide. Joe and Toby hail the greatness of her record breaking hit song, "Rhythm Nation," while digging through the past to find its original sound.

What we geek out over in this episode: Bootsy Collins (again), Shrek the Third, powerhouse songwriters Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Janet Jackson's mystery daughter, Babyface, and the hit movie & soundtrack Waiting to Exhale.

Bonus Material: Additional Sly and the Family Stone samples and covers - "You Can Make It If You Try" (1969) sampled by Ice Cube; "If You Want Me To Stay" (1973) covered by Snoop Dogg and Red Hot Chili Peppers

Look, You Made Me Too Sexy Oct 31, 2018

Show notes

Whether you love this song or hate it, it's impossible not to sing along to the catchy Taylor Swift chorus, "Look What You Made Me Do." And the reason for this is pretty clear... From the moment she exclaims "ooh!" and barrels into the taunting token chorus, the words to another song start to come to mind – or – are unearthed from deep inside your subconscious memory somewhere with the 90's hit movie "Encino Man." Either way, this is not a conspiracy people: the T-Swizzle team snatched a popular rhythm (legally, that is!) and turned it into a song that broke the record for the most plays in a single day on Spotify.

In this episode, Joe and Toby dive into the rhythmic elements of Taylor's 2017 hit single from her "Reputation" album before hopping into a musical time machine: From pop princess to 90's British Euro-Pop duo to Woodstock. It's an exciting exploration of music sampling that pinpoints three genres and spans across three decades of music's most iconic artists.

What we geek out over in this episode: The Female Preacher, Bobby Byrd, The Animals, flippin' the Stratocaster, and (with great enthusiasm) Taylor Swift feuds.

Bonus Material: Woo! Yeah! break from Lyn Collins' 1972 recording "Think (About It)" was sampled over 2000 times in music. We just take a look at a few: Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock, Alanis Morissette, Boyz II Men, The Black Eyed Peas and more.

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