Jack White, aka the only man in the world who can pull off a fedora, has penned a theme song for Maya and Marty, a new variety show starring your faves Maya Rudolph and Martin Short. It would be an understatement to say we’re going to watch the hell out of this, but White isn’t the only contemporary artist to write a theme song for a TV show. We take a look at the five best TV themes written by musicians below.
5. Timbaland, Dog On Fire, The Daily Show
[vimeo 152806329 w=640 h=360]
Okay, so Timbaland didn’t actually write Dog On Fire (that was Bob Mould), but he did rework it for new host Trevor Noah’s debut. It’s a fresh take on a theme that has been given new life plenty of times, but never felt quite this modern before. Timbaland arranged the track with the help of King Logan (Beyoncé, Mario), and it’s performed by none other than They Might Be Giants, who you might recognise from…
4. They Might Be Giants, Boss Of Me, Malcolm In The Middle
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4CVKbVtTsc]
This theme is so iconic that it won a damn Grammy. The whingey sing-song tone of frontman John Flansburgh inspired any kid who watched this show to torment their parents with the same. Sorry mum and dad, but y’know… life is unfair.
3. Jack White, Maya and Marty Theme, Maya and Marty
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/266779400″ params=”color=ff5500″ width=”100%” height=’166′ iframe=”true” /]
Obviously we had to include this. It’s the first time White has written for a TV show, and it seems like the man might have a gift (surprise surprise). The cut has that trademark Jack White syncopated groove we all know and love, and honestly the theme itself is just downright damn delightful. It was laid down with the help of fellow Third Man Records musicians Lillie Mae Rische, Dean Fertita, Fats Kaplin and Dominic Davis, with White himself on the drums. The show also includes Keenan Thompson and premieres in the US tonight on NBC. If you can find *some* way to watch it over here then more bloody power to you. Not that we encourage piracy…
2. Primus, South Park Theme, South Park
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoTs-M4_RqI]
Primus are sort of masters of writing irreverant, quirky theme songs for cartoons aimed at adults: they’ve done it for Robot Chicken as well as South Park. It’s an extremely specific niche to fill, but god dammit, someone had to do it – and we’re glad they did.
1. Will Smith with DJ Jazzy Jeff & Quincy Jones, Yo Home To Bel Air, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nCqRmx3Dnw]
Press play and you’re guaranteed to suddenly start rapping along, because if you say you don’t know every single word to this then you are a LIAR. This is the big kahuna, the pinnacle of all musician-written TV themes, and the anthem for a generation. Which is a little odd, considering we doubt many people have actually experienced the turn of events the song describes, but whatever. It’s a fire theme so everyone loves it, co-written by three absolute masters: Will Smith himself, his long-time collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff, and the one and only Quincy Jones.
Image: Lester Cohen/WireImage/Getty, Mary Ellen Matthews/NBC via Rolling Stone
We’re almost a third of the way through 2016, and already it’s proven to be one of the most exciting periods for phenomenal hip-hop, soul, R&B and funk music in recent memory. Here’s some of the best new songs, remixes and videos from the last couple weeks.
BJ The Chicago Kid, The New Cupid ft. Kendrick Lamar
This track came out as part of BJ’s brilliant debut album In My Mind, and the video was released this week. The New Cupid was one of the smoothest tracks on his generally brilliant album, no less of course, because it featured hip-hop’s messiah, Kendrick Lamar.
The video, directed by Matt Barnes, stars comedian and actor Hannibal Buress as a rather uncouth cupid. Meanwhile, Kendrick and Raphael Saadiq (whose track Oh girl is sampled) add some hilarious star charm to the velvety smooth number. Buress spoke to Rolling Stone about the video, claiming it to have been a “spiritual experience. We’re gonna change lives with this one. BJ was telling how the video was missing one piece. It was me. I came into the picture and made this project whole. The cherry on top. The final stroke of the paintbrush on a masterpiece.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrzTkP2bJpk
A$AP Ferg, Let It Bang ft. ScHoolboy Q
There’s been a lot of big news out of both Ferg and Q’s camps of late, with an imminent album from A$AP Ferg, and TDE’s head honcho teasing an upcoming Schoolboy Q release, coming later this year. Now, Ferg has dropped Let It Bang, a groove-laden track that’s somehow equal parts laid back and banger.
The video, which opens with a bit of a jazzy storyline, meshes scenes of a nightclub, nightmares, convenience store robberies and disturbing reaper-esque shot of Q, shadowed and hooded, stealing the show with his heavy-hitting words of wisdom.
I for one am really interested to see where Ferg’s album takes him, having spent three long years living out his self-fulfilling prophecy as the Trap Lord. This is a diverse, dense and aggressive release, and considering the intensity of both this and his recent New Level ft. Future, I have a feeling that this is gonna be a banger-laden album to remember.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2foQwkKQgc
Pusha T, Untouchable (Aesop Rock remix)
This is weird. Aesop Rock over Pusha T and Timbaland (whose beat this is)? Huh? These guys seemingly couldn’t be on farther ends of the hip-hop spectrum. The glamorous head of G.O.O.D Music has the attention, money and publicity of Kanye West and co. behind him, while Timbo is, well, Timbaland, himself largely untouchable. Aes, meanwhile, the most lyrically explorative storyteller in the game, seems to stray as far from the mainstream spotlight as possible, ferociously below the radar. This remixes marries the smokey club beat with headphone lyrics, and it’s fucking brilliant.
If Aes is trying to raise the bar (and his audience numbers) ahead of the release of The Impossible Kid, he done good. This is a fabulous remix, one that showcases the darkest corners of his mind and music. Aesop goes hard, it’s basically a diss track against everyone who has ever undermined him, increasing in aggression all the way through to the Biggie sample which rounds it off.
Also I would safely say that this is the only rap track in history that has name-dropped John Zorn and quietly disses Jay-Z within sixty seconds.
At fifty six bars long, this track kills. Aesop Rock, I love you. The Impossible Kid comes out on April 29 via Rhymesayers.
Future, Low Life ft. The Weekend
Future just dropped the video for Low Life, from last year’s album EVOL. This was a streamy track to start with, as is literally anything which involves Abel Tesfaye, and the video only adds another element to that. Watch as the pair rock a decrepit, abandoned warehouse and similarly downtrodden, ghost town scenery. Expectedly including a few shots of gorgeous women posing seductively, it’s everything you might expect from a visual accompaniment to the track. While I (shock, horror) am not usually on the Future train, this track lays low enough that I’m hooked.
XXL reckon that this clip reminds them of Mad Max: Fury Road, and I have to agree. The beat is low and ominous – more end-of-the-night than club banger (despite Future’s repeated promise, “’bout to fuck this club up.”) The clip features such decrepit scenery that it does have a kind of end of days, post-apocalyptic vibe, and that’s just the way I like it. A Low Life, indeed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_9tX4eHztY
Funkadelic & George Clinton, Ain’t That Funkin’ Hard On You? (Remix) ft. Kendrick Lamar & Ice Cube
Here’s a video and a track that nobody can say anything bad about. The song itself came out in 2014, but a number of remixes have since appeared. Kendrick Lamar first appeared on a Louie Vega remix last year, and a new remix, also featuring Ice Cube, appeared last month.
The space age video blends sensual funk with OTT science fiction, set in a space ship flying through space, making stops at nightclubs, in glitzy cities and beyond.
It’s basically an R&B Blade Runner.
The Clinton & Funkadelic outfits deserve a special mention, with polkadots, hats, long-tailed coats, feathers, headdresses and more absolutely stealing the glittery show – particularly when pitted against Kendrick’s simple TDE-branded hoodie and Cube’s simple yet classy gangsta wear.
I can only hope that Cornrow Kenny and George Clinton with Funkadelic will work on more music together in coming years – Clinton’s feature on To Pimp A Butterly was one of the highlights of the album, and considering Kendrick’s endless affection toward jazz, soul and funk, his tone and flow could not match this style more perfectly.
Lamar, who was in town this week to perform in Sydney, Melbourne and at Bluesfest, is an endless highlight on tracks, and as good as the original was, he simply makes it better. Okay, so Cube’s verse feels a little weak and arbitrary, but am I going to complain? Hardly. I love his flow, and even if it contributes absolutely nothing lyrically (“Some suckers don’t like it, ‘cos I’m a psychic, and if you tricks don’t like it, hoe you can dyke it”… zzzzz) his bouncy rhythm is always a nice addition.
Image: Vevo/Funkadelic
It’s been a while between releases – and there still isn’t an official date for her debut album – but Chicago rapper Tink has just come through with a new track and let us just say: It. Is. Straight. Up. Fucken. Fire.
Produced by Timbaland, who has said that Aaliyah appeared in a dream to him and called Tink “the one”, Circle The Block joins Trust No One and Dinero in following up her Winter Diary 3 mixtape, which dropped mid-2015. Since then, she’s also given a few hints about her rumoured upcoming debut album via Timbaland’s label Mosley Music Group, including the tentative title Think Tink.
While it hasn’t been suggested that Circle The Block will appear on the album, there’s no doubt that with its fast-pace and kicking-ass before taking names attitude, it falls right within Tink’s domain. She goes hard in just two verses without a hook to back her up and it showcases exactly why Tink is right to declare that this year is going to be epic as she does before going in on the track. She takes it upon herself to call out others in the game and despite her “no shade” proclamation, there’s some seriousness thrown in the direction of those who “couldn’t make it with their own sound”. The cover art shows a high heel covered in blood, presumably, it’s that of everyone Tink has just eviscerated with Circle The Block.
Image: Complex
It’s video roundup time! Once again, Howl And Echoes are coming in hot with the freshest, most eyeball stimulating music videos to be dropped by the artists you love and some of the artists you don’t know you love yet, of this week. We do all the dirty work and herd them all into one convenient web-based location for you to enjoy every Friday so that you don’t have to. Have yourself a good old gander at the latest offerings from:
Lostkeyz – It’s Funny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QogfYxdoySw
We first caught wind of Sydney rapper Lostkeyz last year with the release of his debut mixtape Organic Narratives, a record full of stellar production, clever rhymes over the top of smooth and jazzy backbeats. It’s Funny was one of the standout tracks from that mixtape, Lostkeyz’ uniquely deadpan delivery masking a rather upbeat song exploring the fluid dynamics of relationships.
The video depicts Lostkeyz taking what looks like a thoughtful stroll around what might be his native Bondi at dusk, a fitting visual effect for such a cool and breezy track. He’s a name to look out for in the future, and you can stream It’s Funny and the rest of Organic Narratives on his Bandcamp.
Beaty Heart – Flora
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKE7agmaiMU
Travelling from Bondi to South London next, with trio Beaty Heart and their latest single Flora. Coming in the lead up to their second record, which is as yet untitled, Beaty Heart have crafted a deliciously dark electro pop song here, punchy beats and click percussion tangoing with staccato synths and muffled vocals, it’s an all-nighter that would work a treat with the lights down low.
The accompanying video is a mesmerising snapshot of after-dark London, dancing on urban rooftops and deserted basketball courts, the songs titular subject alluring the viewer and the band to what looks like their end, writhing along to the fantastic electronic soundscape. Also, look at that dog!
Mallrat – Sunglasses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJCEPE0IJ8Y
Keeping with the after dark vibes, albeit a lot more locally is Brisbane MC Mallrat. Sunglasses is the name of her latest single, held down by off-kilter trap beats and some jarring but cool production from frequent collaborator Tigerilla.
The video is about as lo-fi as it can possibly get, shot on an old VHS camcorder (Jesus, they’re still around) in a dimly lit backyard. Mallrat and co. look like they’re having a whale of a time, donning sunglasses and face masks and dancing up a storm. They’re doing more for Ribena than the last decade of its own advertising has too, drinking what looks like enough to fill a swimming pool and looking cool af doing it.
Another exciting young Australian artist to expect big things from in 2016, keep them coming Mallrat.
Peaches – Free Drink Ticket
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZEtQTGtD-Q
Perhaps someone the aforementioned Mallrat may take some inspiration from is legendary electro-queen Peaches and her latest incredibly Peaches video. It’s for the newest single from her 2015 LP Rub. I shouldn’t even have to mention how NSFW the video for Free Drink Ticket is, but I will just in case.
There’s so much simmering anger below the surface of this almost darkwave-style song, which centres around a less than amicable break-up. Peaches described it thus
“…It was important to demonstrate that if you hold onto the bitterness you that you feel from a monster who has hurt you, then you will become the monster that you are trying to shed”
The video definitely gets that point across in as provocative a fashion as it gets, a naked Peaches going back and forth with some kind of monstrous pig snake uh… thing? It’s overtly sexual and confronting, which seems like exactly her intention. Totally badass.
Kevin Gates – Pride
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUvcbT7-KCA
Coming out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the latest single from Kevin Gates. Taken from his debut album Islah, a record that ended up above Adele and just behind Rihanna and ANTI when it dropped last week, Pride takes a pretty harrowing look at life behind bars.
Starting off with Gates being arrested and dragged from a palatial mansion and his wife and daughter, winding up in a jail cell in an orange jumpsuit. It’s one of the more emotional tracks on the album, exploring themes of drug abuse, depression and anxiety, Gates weaves a tale of sorrow at having left his family to fend for themselves on the outside.
Islah is out now via Bread Winners Association/Atlantic Records.
Kool A.D. – Santeria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu2B-nMkuMM
From the bayou to Mexico we go next with Bay Area rapper Kool A.D.,who you may also recognise as a member of rap crew Das Racist. Featuring production from Toro Y Moi, Santeria is the latest single from Kool from his 2015 mixtape O.K.
That Toro Y Moi production, coupled with Kool’s snarky and snappy flow make for a fantastic partnership, but the real treat here is the utterly fun video. Before the first bar even begins you’ll be hooked, simply because there’s a dog riding a donkey that’s painted to be a zebra (I seriously thought this was just an Eastbound And Down joke but apparently it’s a real thing) and it’s awesome.
The rest of the video is a lo-fi and motion sickness inducing look at Kool’s new life in Mexico, where he is a new resident. The psychedelic lens through which simple things like walking the dogs or the arcade lights of the carnival are viewed is about 500% of your recommended daily eyeball stimulation in just under six minutes, but it’s all part of the charm.
Timbaland – Servin (ft. Blaze Servin and Tweezie)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoOx-7jL9hI
Coming off his Christmas Day mixtape King Stays King and in the lead up to his next album Opera Noir, producer king Timbaland has dropped a video for one of its tracks this week in Servin. Featuring a pair of up and comers in Blaze Servin and Tweezie, the track features beats of the thickest variety and looks like a return to form for Timbaland, who seems to be jumping all over the trap train that hit full steam in 2015.
The video is your standard hip-hop fare, alternating shots of different combinations of the trio dancing for the camera spliced in with shots at a club that unquestionably has bottle service. There’s plenty of fire as you can probably guess too.
Tyler, The Creator – PERFECT (ft. Kali Uchis and Austin Feinstein)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIqVCJWSoeE
Following a tumultuous year seeing the release of his long-awaited third studio album Cherry Bomb and his simultaneous banning from Australia, Tyler, The Creator is back with a brand new video landing this week for Cherry Bomb standout PERFECT.
It’s a split-screen duet between Tyler and featured artist Kali Uchis, Uchis surrounded by sunflowers, Tyler covered in Monarch butterflies. Los Angeles indie rocker Austin Feinstein eventually joins Tyler on the right to inject some laidback surfy guitars into what was already an eclectic mix of jazz and hip hop. It’s a simple concept but an effective way of visualising the very huge stylistic contrast between the artists.
See you next week!
Timbaland allegedly refused to perform at a Michigan charity benefit after he couldn’t get his hands on his champagne of choice. Due to perform at the Thursday night fundraiser for Flint Water Crisis Charity Show, the rapper became highly discontented after being offered Dom Perignon instead of his poison of choice, Jay Z’s Armand de Brignac, a.k.a ‘Ace of Spades’.
The owner and the promoter of Club Bleu Mitchell Jaworski has claimed that after this discovery Timbaland said “he did not feel like performing” his allocated 30-minute DJ set and instead “stood behind the decks and nodded his head” as another artist played.
However, apparently the mix-up in champagne didn’t matter to Timbaland and his crew, who then proceeded to drink everything in the VIP seating area, including two bottles of Patron, three bottles of Ciroc, two bottles of D’usse, and one bottle of Disaronno Originale Italian Liqueur.
“They had about 15 bottles of liquor and champagne which is extremely excessive for a charity event,” Jaworski told the Daily News, “They seemed more concerned about getting every drop of liquor.”
“They then insisted that we show them the signed contract for the night and where the stipulation was for the ‘live’ performance.”
“Finally management relented and literally had to wake Timbaland up so he could proceed to stand behind the decks and nod his head for 30 minutes.”
“It was a disaster,” added Jaworski’s wife, Aureila Jaworski.
Timbaland and his management allegedly tried to dispute a contract signed two weeks ago requiring a live set from the music producer, performing five to eight songs before a crowd of 300. Timbaland then refused to speak to club employees while posing for photos and was gone by 2am.
The charity show was intended to support the people of Flint, which has had its water supply rendered undrinkable after switching its water supply to the Flint River, resulting in millions of homes being infected with poisonous lead.
The event generated up to $3000 to buy bottles of water and filters for the affected residents of Flint. Singer Cher herself has personally sent 180,000 bottles to the city to help alleviate the problem, whilst Pearl Jam, Pusha T, 50 Cent and many more have also donated literally hundreds of thousands of bottles over the past few weeks..
A statement provided by Timbaland’s representatives denied the accusations that the producer refused to play.
“Unfortunately, the statement made by the promoter in Detroit is simply not true,” Timbaland’s rep says in a statement provided to Billboard. Timbaland is an “extremely generous person who agreed to a much lower fee for this event to raise money for the Flint, Michigan’s water crisis,” the statement continues.
“The promoter was fully aware that this was not a full band performance on stage, yet still promoted it as such. The club was still able to raise money for charity, which was our goal in doing this event all along.”
Timbaland – real name Tim Mosley – reportedly repeated his antics at a regular concert at CAVO in Pittsburgh the following Wednesday.
A representative of CAVO said that the producer “embarrassed himself” by refusing to perform even after being served two bottles of “Ace of Spades”.
However, Timbaland took to Instagram to defend himself, responding to a fans comment by saying, “I want everybody to think I wasn’t suppose to perform think about it.”
Source: tadall.com
“Why would I do that see what I need to do for now on call these promoter out that not rite for the fans and me now I’ve gave money and came and they ask me at las min sorry to the people who lied.”
He continued in another comment: “I’m the realest and I don’t let people down I’m here to uplift not disappoint so I’m sorry for the confusion.”
Image: BBC
In an interview with Hot 97, Timbaland has claimed that there are no more producers in the world of RnB.
“I think we have great programmers. Beats are not made as we used to do it. I think they come as a package for you to figure out which program to run it through…to make something that once was be something that is totally different.”
“I take patterns and layers, and blend the colours….the beat that we are making isn’t the same anymore.”
The rapper noted that the change was a result of a new chapter in music, claiming that “the era of music you’re used to is over…music evolves.”
“Will you evolve, or will you stay in place? If you stayin’ place, everybody who stays in place usually falls off. That’s the key. Once you get poppin’ or once you get a little bit of recognition, is to take that recognition and turn it into a legend.”
The Scream star also gave fellow rapper Drake a strong endorsement, referring to him as “the king” of evolutionary song writing- a convenient compliment given the two worked together three years ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP8R1lCHa1o
“He’s doing everything that the people did in the 90’s, but he’s flipping it and doing it in a cooler way. I watch it and I think ‘This dude has really studied it.’ He’s flipped it and given it to this generation.”
Watch the full interview below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm27MJy5eYs
Timbaland recently released his new project King Stays King, a mix tape containing 17 tracks including features with Young Thug, Tink and an unreleased track with the late Aaliyah.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQB-lUGk1SA
Hip-hop and R&B super-producer Timbaland has made good on his promise to drop his first ever mixtape this Christmas. The seventeen-track release titled King Stays King is available on MyMixTapez.com, and features a selection of trap and party rap artists like 2 Chainz, Rich Homie Quan, Young Thug and Migos. The icing on the cake, however, is a never-before-heard track from the late, great Aaliyah, who tragically died in a plane accident in 2001.
In a Tweet, Timbaland dedicated the mixtape to Aaliyah.
Aaliyah.. This is for you baby.
Download #KingStaysKing NOW!https://t.co/85JsmmixUu pic.twitter.com/flh58d1m8U
— Timbaland (@Timbaland) December 25, 2015
“It’s been a while since I’ve been able to give the world some new music,” Timbaland said in a press statement. “I’ve spent a lot of time working on this project and I am just looking forward to giving my fans some dope sounds to close out the year.”
Fans can expect to see video clips for both Servin and Get No Betta , as well as more new music in 2016.
Stream below and download the full mixtape here.
King Stays King track list:
1. Get No Betta (ft. Timbaland and Mila J)
2. Shakin (ft. Aaliyah, Timbaland and Strado)
3. Dem Jeans (ft. Migos)
4. Frenemies (ft. Sy Ari Da Kid and Tink)
5. Tables (ft. Obs3ssed and Tink)
6. Servin (ft. Blaze Servin and PC Tweezie)
7. Didn’t Do It (ft. Young Thug)
8. Callin and Callin (ft. Young Crazy and Breeze Barker)
9. WYA Wit It (ft. Blaze Servin)
10. Shawty (ft. Rich Homie Quan)
11. This Me, Fuck It (ft. 2 Chainz)
12. All I See Is You (ft. Sequence)
13. Drama Queen (ft. Tink)
14. Go Ahead (Boo Boo Kitty) (ft. WDNG Crshrs, Goldy and Cynthia)
15. Drug Dealer (ft. Rico Richie)
16. You Held It Down (ft. Bankroll and Obs3ssed)
17. On My Way (ft. D’XMCI)
Super producer Timbaland has announced a new mixtape entitled King Stays King which is scheduled to drop on Christmas Day.
Timbaland has been quiet recently, which he has attributed to his extensive work on the new release. Talking to Rap-Up he explained, “I’ve spent a lot of time working on this project and I am just looking forward to giving my fans some dope sounds to close out the year.”
The 16-track tape features a seemingly endless list of collaborators ranging from Young Thug to the late Aaliyah, whom Timbaland recently mentioned he had never-before-heard material from. Details on the track with the former R&B superstar are scarce, except that it is a previously unreleased track from the vaults.
Timbaland is currently working on two videos to accompany the mixtape’s release. The two tracks Get No Betta and Servin are sure to be the first taste we get, before the full mixtape is released alongside all the turkey and alcohol you can handle on Christmas Day.
The announced release comes somewhat as a surprise after the continually teased Textbook Timbo has still yet to see the light of day. Earlier this year Timbaland even went as far as to release a single from the album called Them Jeans, the track featured trap trio Migos alongside the producer/rapper.
Here’s hoping that Timbaland returns to the top of his game with some more classic R&B infused hip-hop.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5rLz5AZBIA]
In news from the courts today, Jay-Z has finally taken to the stand and testified against a lawsuit against him that has been ongoing for the last four years.
Centred around his 1999 hit Big Pimpin’, Jigga defended himself today against claims that the track unlawfully featured samples from an Egyptian composer by the name of Baligh Hamdy and his 1957 er… hit, Khosara Khosara. For comparison’s sake, here’s Big Pimpin':
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cgoqrgc_0cM
And here’s Khosara Khosara:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQmfDaSc7E8
Yeah it’s pretty blatant, although it hasn’t ever been denied as being a sample in the past. According to Egyptian ‘moral rights’ laws though, Jay-Z would have had to have been given the permission of all four of Hamdy’s children before sampling his song, as they had the rights handed down to them upon his passing in 1993. The issue is that it’s an altered sample of the song, where only the full unaltered version could have been legally used.
Jay-Z’s defense was kind of hilarious. The rapper claiming: “I didn’t think there was a sample in it. Timbaland presented me with a track. I didn’t even think about there being a sample”. He was also asked why he didn’t think to check where the sample had come from and he absolutely did his best to put the Attorney General questioning him in his place, stating. “I make music, I’m a rapper, I’ve got a clothing line, I run a label, a media label called Roc Nation, with a sports agency, music publishing and management. Restaurants and nightclubs … I think that about covers it.”
It didn’t, as the existence of Tidal was also pointed out to him. Even Jay-Z forgot about Tidal.
He also had his tongue firmly planted in his cheek when asked about some of the artists whose careers he had helped, including Rihanna and one Kanye West, when asked if these people knew him he responded with ‘One or two, he’s running for President’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gnS8RnXn_Q
In attempting to demonstrate the relative unimportance of the sample, Timbaland, who produced the offending song, had his attorneys bring out a keyboard for him to compose a beat on, but technical difficulties ensued and Timbaland instead got up in court and beatboxed it himself in what I’m sure was a watershed moment for the California courtroom.
According to lawyers for Jigga and for Timbaland, the Hamdy family have repeatedly been paid for the sample in the past. They’ll continue to defend the pair tomorrow. Stay tuned.
We hope Jay-Z continues his life as a living, breathing video game cheat code though.
Words by Alex Osborne
August 2015 marks 14 years since R&B princess Aaliyah’s tragic death in a plane crash. Since the 22-year-old’s death, the majority of her music – including anything as yet unreleased – has been fiercely protected by her family. We have had a few reminders in recent years of that smooth seduction of Aaliyah ’s voice, in such songs as Drake’s Enough Said and Chris Brown’s Don’t Think They Know You, but these only served as teasers, leaving us wanting more of her velvet harmonies.
Over the weekend, Timbaland suggested he may have some unreleased Aaliyah tracks when he posted an image on his Instagram account of Aaliyah’s face super-imposed onto some clouds with the caption: “Attention!!!!! People ask me all the time do I have any babegirl music we haven’t heard !!!!!well the answer is YES!!!!!!!! TIMBO x BABEGIRL !!!!! Sneak peak [sic] coming!!!!!!!”
Timbaland produced around half of the tracks on Aaliyah ’s second album, One In A Million, and several tracks on the self-titled third album. Earlier this year, Timbaland sampled one of Aaliyah’s breakthrough songs One in a Million, in the song Million by Tink.
He then posted another image of Aaliyah based on the ‘Straight Outta Compton’ meme, saying ‘Straight Outta Heaven’.
Despite Timbaland’s overuse of the poor exclamation point, his enthusiasm is contagious and I want to use a few extra myself just to show how excited I am, too!!!!!