To all Hip Hop DJs, what is your definition of a hardcore Hip Hop beat? Which rap song that’s out right now demonstrates your meaning of a hardcore beat?
In my opinion the term hardcore beat has, for some reason, been generalized very loosely. I believe nobody popular today knows what a true hardcore beat sounds like. So allow me to give you my definition of a hardcore beat.
A hardcore beat in Hip Hop is the type of sound that truly represents the streets. It’s the sound that belongs to us: the hustling underprivileged, the struggling middle class, and the 4AM blue-collar workers. It’s that sound that is hard as concrete! It is Rated R and unapologetic! No matter what the rap song is, the drum track is the template of the hardcore sound.
Here are ten examples of my definition of the hardcore Hip Hop sound. Now don’t confuse yourself thinking that I’m giving you my top ten greatest hardcore beats in Hip Hop history. I’m talking about my definition of the hardcore sound in Hip Hop…PERIOD!
Can You Feel It by Original Concept
Ya Playin’ Yaself by Jeru the Damaja
Flava in Ya Ear by Craig Mack
Dear Yvette by LL Cool J
I’ll Take Your Man by Salt and Pepa
It’s Funky Enough by the D.O.C.
Outta Here by KRS One
Public Enemy No. 1 by Public Enemy
Drama by Ice T
Peter Piper by Run DMC
There is much, much more, but those are just ten examples of my definition of the hardcore sound.
Now remember what I told you about the drum track being the template? Well if you’ve checked out any of those songs that I’ve mentioned, you should hear what they all have in common with each other. Each of those songs is bottom heavy from the life of the bass kick. The bass kick thumps with authority as if it’s giving you a kung fu kick dead in your chest!
I’m talking about the hardcore sound of Hip Hop music!
When the snare of the drum track snaps, it snaps so hard as if someone snapped a neck at the end of a fistfight! It’s my definition of the hardcore banging beats of Hip Hop that I’m talking about y’all!
It is where the hi-hat sounds are crisp; so crisp like the sounds of seafood and steak sizzling at a restaurant! The hardcore sound of Hip Hop is when the drum track of the song is well balanced, defined and strong, but more importantly it’s up front and in your face!
When the hell are we ever going to hear a rap song with a hardcore sound again?
In my opinion, the Hip Hop sound of the world today is often released unbalanced, undefined and weak. It is my definition of the softcore sound of Hip Hop, the one that’s Rated G. It’s as hard as cotton! It’s not on any street level therefore it highly lacks street credibility. It does not represent us!
I declare with authority as an Old School Scholar, “the softcore sound does not belong in Hip Hop music!”
Here’s a lil’ advice to the true school DJs out there. If you ever find yourself in the position of producing a Hip Hop song, think of my ten examples, and always create the hardcore sound. I can guarantee your name will be known real quickly!
Agree or disagree?
D.O.C. – It’s Funky Enough by SeikenRyujin
[youtube]PNhVnIeuxNc[/youtube]
Craig Mack – Flava In Ya Ear by Stakya
[youtube]9-MLp3l2fkA[/youtube]
2 Comments
Excellent article. I think for me right now a hardcore beat is one that has agressive sounds in a very choppy rhythm. Often done in a vey orchestral feel (thinking of Timbo's/Games' “Put you on the Game” but going back you could say that RZA was making hardcore beats for the Wu and some Public Enemy beats were the hardest I had heard at that time. It's funny because now when you hear some NWA ish, the beats are pretty mild compared to the way they were perceived back then.
Excellent article. I think for me right now a hardcore beat is one that has agressive sounds in a very choppy rhythm. Often done in a vey orchestral feel (thinking of Timbo's/Games' “Put you on the Game” but going back you could say that RZA was making hardcore beats for the Wu and some Public Enemy beats were the hardest I had heard at that time. It's funny because now when you hear some NWA ish, the beats are pretty mild compared to the way they were perceived back then.