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KanyePodCast

KanyePodCast by Johnny Kwest

Kanye West

Not only is Kanye West one of today's greatest hip-hop artists, but he is also one of the top urban music producers of our generation and my inspiration. As an artist Kanye has reached the top of the Billboard charts many times, but as a producer and songwriter, he has reached it even more. Which makes him a very unique and special entity in our industry.

Kanye began focusing on his music career when he dropped out of Chicago State University. But while attending school, West produced for local artists. He later gained fame by producing hit singles for major hip-hop and R&B artists including Jay-Z, Talib Kweli, Cam'ron, Paul Wall, Common, Mobb Deep, Jermaine Drupri, Scarface, The Game, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson, John Legend and more. West got his break in the year 2000, when he began to produce for Roc-a-Fella Records producing Jay-Z's critically acclaimed album “The Blueprint.” The album, which was heavily influenced by Kanye’s style, became very successful. With it’s commercial success, Kanye became a sought after producer in the hip hop industry.

At the same time that Kanye was gaining popularity in the industry, he was also gaining popularity with many rising music producers and artists including myself. If you listen to today’s music, you will most definitely hear influences of Kanye’s musical style. Kanye's original style was characterized from pitched up vocals and the usage of soul music samples, incorporating his own drums and instruments. But more recently he has been experimenting with sampling genres ranging from folk to electronica.

Kanye is somewhat infamous for his use of sampling other artist’s music, but to me the way that he does it is very unique, and if you never knew the original artist you would think everything was produced by him.

Speaking again on Kanye’s success, his first 5 albums went platinum. He has won 14 Grammy's and has been included in the Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world as well as being listed in a number of Forbes' annual lists.

As an industry professional music producer, to me Kanye was my first inspiration. When I heard the song "Jesus Walks" I became fascinated with how someone could create music like that. I learned how to produced hip-hop by listening and studying his instrumentals. Referencing his style over time I created my own, but I will always remember who inspired me to want to be in this industry.

Peer Comment (Posted on classmate's page, forgot to post on mine)

Patrick, I found your blog entry on Daft Punk to be very informative and enjoyable. I had no idea that these were humans! I thought they were actually robots who some how were programmed to make music! Shows what I know! Also, one of the musicians names is very long, that's cool. And wouldn't it be cool to be knights? Hopefully one day we can form a group and be knights, I would like that a lot. But really it is amazing what this duo has done. Have you actually seen the movie Tron? It is amazing the music in it is out of this world. Again, good job on the post keep up the good work.

October 17, 2011 5:05 PM

Peer Comment

Patrick, reading your post on Igor had me fascinated. Especially the part about neo-classism. The idea of taking something old and remaking it into something new reminded me of how artists today use samples to create electronic music. But Igor didn't have the luxury of just dragging and dropping samples he had to write and compose the music, something that I certainly wish that I could do! Also, like you said he was able to study under a master, something I too wish I could do! And you are right, if music doesn't continue to change people will lose interest in music. So as producers alike we need to keep experimenting to owe tribute to innovators like Igor Stravinski.

The Theremin

Ever wonder what was making that “spooky sound” in old horror movies? It was probably the Theremin. The Theremin was invented and refined between 1919 and 1921 by Leon Theremin, a Russian scientist. This instrument, originally known as the Astherphone, requires a player to move their hands through pitch and volume "fields" in the air around two antennas to produce changes in the tone being generated by the device.

The Theremin was one of the world's first electronic instruments. Eventually with its popularity growing in the United States it reached to the mind of a young man named Robert Moog. Robert would eventually create one of the most famous synthesizers in electronic music called the Moog. He later credited his moog synthesizers to the experience he learned with the Theremin.

The Theremin is most unique due to the fact that there is no physical contact while playing the instrument. The musician stands in front of the instrument and moves his or her hands in the proximity of two metal antennas. The distance from one antenna determines frequency (pitch) and the distance from the other controls amplitude (volume). The instrument is typical used in performances that require the legato performance, due to inevitable portamento in switching notes. But, with exceptional artists, staccato notes are possible. This is generally how to tell if the artist is experienced with the instrument.

Although today's modern synthesizers can recreate the sound of the Theremin quite simply, it is still a hit with most hardcore electronic musicians due to its expressiveness, novelty and uniqueness. Even today the Theremin is still being produced by the likes of Moog Music, and Harrison Instruments.

Being a music producer and sound enthusiast I would definitely love to have a Theremin in my collection, it symbolizes the beginning on electronic instruments and the wonder and mystery behind the electricity.

Kraftwerk

Kraftwerk in German means power plant or power station. And it’s a suitable name for the influential electronic band because a power station produces electricity the essential element in their musical style. Kraftwerk were the pioneers of electronic music, back in the 1970s their distinctive sound was revolutionary and has had a lasting effect in many genres of modern music. Comprised heavily of synthesizers, drum machines and vocoder vocals the bands sound was the beginning of electronic music as we know it.

Kraftwerk produced 8 albums from 1974-1981:

·      Kraftwerk (1970)

·      Kraftwerk 2 (1972)

·      Ralf und Florian (1973)

·      Autobahn (1974)

·      Radio-Activity (1975)

·      Trans-Europe Express (1977)

·      The Man-Machine (1978)

·      Computer World (1981)

The group’s first three albums were more free form experimental rock. They didn't feature "hooks" or a very disciplined song structure. They were strictly instrumental, featuring traditional instruments including guitar, bass, drums, electric organ, flute and violin. The Kraftwerk sound came from manipulating the recordings using distortion and tape manipulation.

The next album Ralf und Florian marked the bands movement to its classic signature sound, relying more on synthesizers and drum machines. Almost entirely instrumental like the previous albums, Ralf und Florian marks their first use of the vocoder, which would in time become one of its musical signatures. Their next album would turn out to be their most successful.

With the release of Autobahn, Kraftwerk made its international breakthrough. Featuring new instruments such as the Minimoog, the group now had a newer more disciplined pop sound. With its success the band undertook a multi-date tour to promote the album.

After the 1975 autobahn tour, they began to work on their next album Radio Activity. It was their first album with a "central theme". After a break from live performance in 1976, the band began working on Trans-Europe Express. This album was also themed, influenced by friends who suggested writing songs about the actual Trans-Europ Express.  The album is described as a celebration of Europe and the disparities between reality and image.

The next album Man Machine featured album art was inspired by Russian artist El Lissitzky and the Supernnatism movement. After this album the band wouldn't release another album for three years.

The next album released in 1981 called computer world featured new things like vocals from a Texas Instruments language translator. The album also featured Kraftwerk’s most successful song in the UK "The Model". Greater use of vocals and the use of sequencing equipment for percussion was also used. Ironically Kraftwerk did not own a computer at the time of recording computer world!

Today the use of custom electronic instruments is used more than ever and Kraftwerk was the first to pioneer this practice. Also their extensive use of electronic drum machines and vocoder effects which now are used everyday began with the group.

Being a music producer myself, I have to tip my hat to the innovators of electrical music, experimentation and innovation. When you think of the founders of rock and roll you think of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash amongst others. And when you think of the founders of electronic music you think of Kraftwerk.