A columnist, reporter and TV correspondent for the RedEye who believes pop culture can teach us something. Yes, even you, LiLo.
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Alright, have you had your Starbucks or Dunkin's yet?
I need you to be alert.
We've got some music to make.
As I explained in today's column, I am undertaking a mission to write and perform a ringtone rap using nothing but sparse production, marginal lyrics, and a heaping helping of hype.
And I need your help.
As the rise of Waka Flocka Flame's "Let's Do It" proves, this mission is far from impossible.
The two beat choices I promised you are posted after the jump. But first, allow me to present our team...well...the team in addition to you, of course.
That's right, hip-hop...we're here for you. Down with (c)rap!
Meet Al "Flimackgod" Hardy, or "flimackgod" for short. He is going to be filming aspects of this project, plus offering general image-related expertise. We all know that most of this is about image. (Wonder who I should start a rap beef with...)
But anyway, more on Al (photo below):
He looks pretty intense, huh? He'd better be if we're going to make this (c)raptastic project work. He's an area filmmaker, photographer and a former rapper. More intel at any of his three sites:
Now, I bet you want to meet the man behind the beats. After all, we need a catchy, radio-friendly instrumental if we're going to make this work. Enter Antongenius.
Antongenius, superproducer and king of the mean mug
I met him a while back when I was writing a RedEye story about up-and-coming musical artists in Chicagoland. Award-winning deejay Timbuck2 of WGCI's "Go Ill Radio" was blown away by his work, name-dropped him to me and the rest is history.
He created two beats in about 15 minutes for use in this special project. Disclaimer: Antongenius does not typically make music like this, but did so for the purposes of this project. Check out his work and current projects, including a single expected to hit on March 27.
Later I'll give you a look at Mr. Genius, me and Al (behind the lens) in action in the RedEye conference room. Update: Here's video of the genius at work. That will give you even more insight into our musical mission.
Okay. Feeling sufficiently briefed? Excellent. Now, it's time to choose which variation of a beat works best. Please listen to each carefully before you vote in the poll below. Our mission to destabilize (c)rap and usher in an era of artistry, depends on this first step. I'll tell you which beat won by Tuesday (3/9) of next week.
oh my God...this is going to be so hard for me, but I'm gonna ride it out all the way with K. Kyles! The bboy in me was cringing inside when I heard those beats. No disrespect to Antongenius at all, because I know he's a beast fa real! But...well I think you get what I'm saying; in the words of Lupe I guess we bout to "dumb it down". I chose number 1.
...when rap first started, one could understand the words, the music was funky and the beats made you do the electric slide. Now the words put down women, gays and songs are nasty and sexual. The male rappers always want to have sex, alone or with someone, (men or women). The sagging pants, the tattoos, the jewelry, the cars, the homes. There is nothing wrong with going from inner city poor to ghetto fabulous!
But some of those 'toys' could feed many hungry inner city kids, the ones that the rappers seem to always say they once were. I like all music, but please, words we can understand and no more of that electronica crap.
Previous singers sang songs, not used gadgets and put out false words!
I chose Beat #1...Let me know if you need a guest verse, you know I got you!
Arasia said:
Well, the first beat sounds better than the second one. I like that one better in all aspects but I think you are trying to go for the most gahbage track you can find so although I like beat number one, I am going to suggest the second beat so it can reach its highest potential of being awful.
Let me know if you need someone to shout crazy, dumb ignorant things to make it more effective =) I can pull this off flawlessly.
Thanks Arasia! I know if you approve of the gahbage, it'll serve my project purposes. And hell yeah, you and Ernest are both in my entourage. I need plenty of crazy, stupid yelling in the background. It isn't ringtone if it ain't ig'nant.
13 Comments
Ceradius FIO said:
oh my God...this is going to be so hard for me, but I'm gonna ride it out all the way with K. Kyles! The bboy in me was cringing inside when I heard those beats. No disrespect to Antongenius at all, because I know he's a beast fa real! But...well I think you get what I'm saying; in the words of Lupe I guess we bout to "dumb it down". I chose number 1.
Kyra Kyles said:
Yessir, dumb it down is the name of this game. I am so happy you will join me in the journey though. Let's spread the word and get this going.
Bex said:
#1 is better than 2, so that's the way I voted, but I don't care for either. Ha maybe that's a good sign?
Kyra Kyles said:
It just might be. I know you have fine music taste. So if you don't like it, the ringtone fanbase will loooove it.
Sgt. Tibs said:
Beat #1 would be hilaarious haha
Kyra Kyles said:
Hey, that's the ticket. Thanks for weighing in, my friend.
jarreaumanconcierge said:
...when rap first started, one could understand the words, the music was funky and the beats made you do the electric slide. Now the words put down women, gays and songs are nasty and sexual. The male rappers always want to have sex, alone or with someone, (men or women). The sagging pants, the tattoos, the jewelry, the cars, the homes. There is nothing wrong with going from inner city poor to ghetto fabulous!
But some of those 'toys' could feed many hungry inner city kids, the ones that the rappers seem to always say they once were. I like all music, but please, words we can understand and no more of that electronica crap.
Previous singers sang songs, not used gadgets and put out false words!
Flimackgod said:
YES, this is gonna be super fun!!!! DEATH TO RING TONE RAP!
ErnestWilkins said:
I chose Beat #1...Let me know if you need a guest verse, you know I got you!
Well, the first beat sounds better than the second one. I like that one better in all aspects but I think you are trying to go for the most gahbage track you can find so although I like beat number one, I am going to suggest the second beat so it can reach its highest potential of being awful.
Let me know if you need someone to shout crazy, dumb ignorant things to make it more effective =) I can pull this off flawlessly.
Kyra Kyles said:
Thanks Arasia! I know if you approve of the gahbage, it'll serve my project purposes. And hell yeah, you and Ernest are both in my entourage. I need plenty of crazy, stupid yelling in the background. It isn't ringtone if it ain't ig'nant.
Jamesoe Powell said:
Interesting...I admire both Anton and FliMack, I want in.
Kyra Kyles said:
What you wanna do? Let me know, and we'll tag you in. What can you bring to this (c)raptastic adventure?
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