Steemit Record Pool | Song of the Day: Prodigy - Keep It Thoro (2000)
I've been recently trying to figure out which song inspired me to start beatmaking eighteen years ago. To be honest, I'm still not quite sure, but for some reason, the song "Keep It Thoro" by Prodigy seems to resonate the most. I'd say I'm 80-95% confident that was the song.
H.N.I.C., Queensbridge, & Hip-Hop
In 2000, I got a bootleg copy of Prodigy's debut album, H.N.I.C., an initialism for "Head Ni**a In Charge". After writing the previous sentence, I'm now 95-99% confident it was "Keep It Thoro" because I know I started beatmaking in 2000. Anyhow, this album sparked my passion for hip-hop and I began digging deeper into Mobb Deep and their origins, Queensbridge Housing, in New York City. Known as North America's largest public housing development, it also birthed legendary artists, such as Nas, Tragedy Khadafi, Marley Marl, MC Shan, Cormega, Blaq Poet, Metta World Peace, and etcetera. My obsession with hip-hop continued to thrive since.
A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-Al-Al-Al-Al-Alchemist
"Keep It Thoro" also introduced me to one of my favorite producer, Mad Skillz, aka Mudfoot, aka Pigpen, aka The Alchemist. I've been following his work since and fortunately he's been very active. I'll get into the details about his influence on my production another time. The point is that Alchemist produced the song of the day. He sampled the intro from "Music People" by Jack Mayborn, which can be heard below.
Jack Mayborn - Music People
So, there it is! The song that most likely inspired me to start beatmaking. After hearing the instrumental of "Keep It Thoro" eighteen years ago, I thought that I could potentially do better. I'm still not quite there yet.
"I'll throw a tv at you, crazy" ~ Prodigy
On June 20, 2017, Prodigy passed from complications related to his sickle-cell anemia blood disorder, a condition he was born with which causes permanent physical pain. RIP Prodigy.
This is dope.Prodigy is actually the MC that taught me how to adlib. His adlib game was on point and he ust had that "recording" voice. To this day, I am still inspired by Prodigy. It's funny that you say this because this morning I posted on of Prodigy's quotes from hiss verse off of the Mobb Deep Murda Muzik album on my Facebook.
That era had a lot of memorable signature adlibs. Yes, Prodigy of course, and another name that comes to mind is Noreaga and even DMX. Oh! and Method Man and Redman. Ah, good times.
Good post!
Thanks sis!
well done scuzzy, once again!
Nice 1!!! A very interesting question. I couldnt say what started me beatmaking, dont really have an answer, If I had to give one answer, I suppose it would be rza, first wu album and first gravediggaz album. Nothing really from him after that. Although there really is too many other artists and external influences that goes into creating that 'tapestry'!!!
RZA is a big influence on me as well. You're definitely right, it's a combination of influences.
Keep it thoro!
Bong Bong