Tag: the roots

  • Unsung: In Praise of Rap’s Studio Musicians

    Unsung: In Praise of Rap’s Studio Musicians

    Rappers used to say, “The real backbone of hip-hop is disc jocks.” Nowadays, though, the real backbone of hip-hop is ostensibly the virtuosic studio musicians dominating the most heralded releases of the past few years. In leaving their indelible marks on records by award-winning artists like Chance The Rapper and Kendrick Lamar, instrumentalists like Nico Segal (a.k.a. Donnie Trumpet), Robert…

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  • Scales from the Crypt: 10 Freaky & Frightening Musical Instrument Mishaps

    Scales from the Crypt: 10 Freaky & Frightening Musical Instrument Mishaps

    It’s easy to romanticize the lives of famous musicians. From larger-than-life rock stars to groundbreaking pioneers of sound, and dazzling technical virtuosos, we look up to our musical heroes and strive to live and create the same way that they do. But no one is free from the potential disasters that lurk around every corner.…

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RJD2: From Samples to Songs