Alternative Hip Hop

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(Vocal group, 1990–94) Formed in Georgia, and based around Todd ‘Speech’ Thomas and Timothy ‘DJ Headliner’ Barnwell. Taking a pastoral rather than city attitude, Arrested Development fused articulate social concerns, black pride and education on to music that blended hip hop, funk and heavy doses of Sly. 3 Years, 5 Months And Two Days In The Life Of… (1992) featured vital hits ‘People Everyday’ and ‘Mr Wendel’. After Zingalamadni (1994) the ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
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(Vocals, b. 1970) By making music that incorporates eclectic influences from folk, hip hop, rock, electronica and studio prowess, Beck Hansen has become one of the most influential American solo artists. Early EPs, albums and singles like the classic ‘Loser’ were released on a variety of labels. When Beck signed to Geffen he retained the unheard-of right to release material on other labels. Odelay (1996) delivered every promise. Mutations (1998) was ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
94 Words Read More

(Vocal/instrumental group, 1993–present) Forming in New York, Huey Morgan (vocals, guitar), Steve Borovini (drums, programming) and Brian ‘Fast’ Leisler (bass, keyboards) blended hip hop, funk and soundtrack references on early releases with some success. Debut album Come Find Yourself (1996) was a fine work spawning the addictive single ‘Scooby Snacks’. Barry White tribute single ‘Love Unlimited’ became a huge UK hit as did the soulful 100% Columbian (1998). More albums followed, ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
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(Animated vocal group, 1998–present) Gorillaz, a virtual band created as an antidote to the bland pop its creators (Blur’s Damon Albarn and cartoonist Jamie Hewlett) saw dominating the charts, have, through stunning choice of guest vocalists and Albarn’s gift for melody, made some of the most memorable pop music of recent years. Their self-titled debut (2001) was comparatively low-key in comparison to its follow-up, but nevertheless held the breezy UK Top ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
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(Vocal/instrumental group, 1997–present) Protégés of Fall Out Boy, Gym Class Heroes’ eclectic blend of rock and hip hop found cult success with 2005’s The Papercut Chronicles. The New Yorkers broke into the charts with As Cruel As School Children the following year, as Supertramp-inspired single ‘Cupid’s Chokehold’ rocketed to No. 4 in the US and the Top 3 in the UK. Led by rapper Travis McCoy, the band helped breach the ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
93 Words Read More

(Singer-songwriter, b. 1986) London-based singer-songwriter Jamie T (Jamie Alexander Treays) fared favourably with critics since his debut in January 2007 when his frenetic, garage-cum-indie debut Panic Prevention reached No. 4 in the UK. He released second album Kings & Queens nearly three years later, which did even better. His dry and witty observational lyrics on tracks like ‘Sheila’ and ‘Calm Down Dearest’ has made him one of the most popular artists ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
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‘Pump Up The Volume’, 1988 If you are going to release only one song, make sure it is a good one. ‘Pump Up The Volume’ is one of the most influential one-hit wonders of all time. A major milestone in British house music and sampling culture, it marked many people’s first point of contact with the underground dance scene. It also attracted a lawsuit from Stock, Aitken and Waterman, who detected ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
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(Rap duo, 1992–present) Smooth dressing, slick talking and devastatingly cool, Outkast – the duo of Antwan ‘Big Boi’ Patton and Andre ‘Andre 3000’ Benjamin – rapped their way out of Georgia in the mid-1990s. Their first four collaborative album efforts (released between 1995 and 2000) contained everything from straight Snoop Dogg gangsta rap, albeit with more brains, to near-George Clinton parody, and plenty of attitude. But it was not until 2003’s Speakerboxxx/The ...

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rock, general editor Michael Heatley
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Once hip hop had expanded beyond apparently using the hook lines from Chic’s ‘Good Times’ as the basis for just about everything, it quickly became as diverse as any other black music genre. Its evolution in recording studios took it way beyond the scope of conventional instruments. Can’t play piano like Herbie Hancock or bass like Bootsy? So what? Sample it. The downside to this is that almost anybody can duplicate ...

Source: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music, general editor Paul Du Noyer
625 Words Read More
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