On this episode of SoundWorks Collection, music conductor and orchestrator Tim Simonec discusses the process of making the soundtrack for J.J Abrams brand new film, Star Trek Into Darkness. Enjoy and be educated.

Watch and learn as Jay Z, 45 King and Kid Capri discuss the making of “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem),” the Annie-assisted title track off Jay Z’s third studio album. Enjoy and be educated.

The legendary Marley Marl sits down with drummer Clyde Stubblefield to discuss the making of James Brown’s “Funky Drummer.”, grooves and the “ghost note.” Enjoy and be educated.

“Funky Drummer” was recorded on November 20, 1969 in Cincinnati, Ohio and originally released by King Records as a two-part 45 rpm single in March 1970. Despite rising to #20 on the R&B chart and #51 on the pop chart, it did not receive an album release until the 1986 compilation In the Jungle Groove.

The piece takes the form of an extended vamp, with individual instruments (mostly the tenor saxophones and organ) improvising brief licks on top. Brown’s ad-libbed vocals on “Funky Drummer” are sporadic and declamatory, and are mostly concerned with encouraging the other band members.

As in the full-length version of “Cold Sweat” he announces the upcoming drum break, which comes late in the recording, with a request to “give the drummer some.” He tells Stubblefield “You don’t have to do no soloing, brother, just keep what you got… Don’t turn it loose, ’cause it’s a mother.” Stubblefield’s eight-bar unaccompanied “solo”, a slightly modified version of the same riff he plays through most of the piece, is the result of Brown’s directions; this break beat is one of the most sampled recordings in music.

After the drum break, the band returns to the original vamp. Brown, apparently impressed with what Stubblefield has produced, seems to name the song on the spot as it continues, and repeats it: “The name of this tune is ‘The Funky Drummer’, ‘The Funky Drummer’, ‘The Funky Drummer’.” The recording ends with a reprise of Stubblefield’s solo and a fade-out.

Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant, who co-produced the film Style Wars, talk about their introduction to New York City graffiti, and photographing it with the help from the graffiti artists themselves. Enjoy and be educated.

Out Da Box TV is proud to bring you a very special episode with Music Legend “ROY AYERS”. We got a chance to meet with Mr. Ayers during his recent visit to NY, where he was gracious enough to speak on some interesting topics. One of the key subjects discussed was Hip Hop Sampling of his music, which Roy explained he was happy with and in support of. He also spoke on why other musicians have been resistant to support sampling of their music, and shared some insight behind their reasoning. Now at 70 years of age, Roy is still performing and putting out new music. He explained that he enjoys doing it and feels the creative energy he had when he was younger. It was truly a pleasure to be in the presence of such an impactful artist. Everybody, from A Tribe Called Quest, to Pete Rock, Erykah Badu, Mary J Blige and so much more, have been influenced by this man. Although he’s famously know for his singles “Everybody Loves The Sunshine” and “Searching”, Roy’s vast catalog is filled with an abundance of great music, making him one of the most sampled musicians of all time. In meeting him, what I found extra special is his humble personality, he has a vibrant energy that speaks strongly in this interview. Ok, I’ll stop rambling now, and just let you peep for yourself. This was truly a wonderful experience. We hope you are inspired. Enjoy!

Most record collectors I know read Wax Poetics. The bi-monthly magazine dedicates itself to vintage and contemporary jazz, funk, soul, Latin, hip-hop, reggae, blues, and R&B in the crate digger tradition. The man behind this great publication is Andre Torres, editor-in-chief and founder of Wax Poetics. In the video above, Andre explains why the music he loved inspired him to start the best music magazine on the market today (in my humble opinion). Enjoy and be educated.

This past January Roger Steffens gave us a full guided tour of all six rooms of his Reggae Archives. Comprised of collections within collections the ‘Ark-Hives’ represents a lifetime dedicated to Reggae music. Involved since the earliest days of Reggae music’s debut on the international scene Roger has not only been a collector but a participant and key player in the development and spread of the music and culture.

Affectionately known as the Reggae Ambassador to some, Steffens has left his mark on the music through his work as radio host at KCRW 89.9 in LA, a founding editor of The Beat magazine (1981-2009), as well as the various liner notes and books he has authored, the interviews he’s conducted, the lectures he’s given, the shows he’s emceed, his position as the chairman of the Reggae Grammy committee, and his open door policy at the ‘Ark-Hives’.

In this piece I’ve focused mostly on the Bob Marley & The Wailers related material and I hope it provides a glimpse into just how insanely important his collection is. This is 9 minutes of holy grail after holy grail and it only represents a portion of his collection. Hope you enjoy it.

I have to big up the homie Karim ‘DJ Karim’ Thompson who is responsible for the music you hear in the video. As head of Stainless Records Karim has worked with everyone from Sizzla, Bounty Killer, Sean Paul, Mavado, and Elephant Man all the way to rapper NORE. Check out more from DJ Karim at myspace.com/stainlessrecordsinc

As always respect to the homie James Porteous for generally making things happen.

Roger thanks so much for inviting us into your home and for taking the time to give us the tour. Not a day I’ll soon forget. Visit the Reggae Archives online at: hermosarecords.com/marley/introrss.html

No Idea’s Original is a weekly radio show airing every Saturday night (technically Sunday morning) on WVKR 91.3FM in Poughkeepsie, New York. Hosted by Joe Gibbs and DJ Enyoutee, No Idea’s Original plays only the best in underground hip-hop.

Dro Pesci was today’s special guest on No Idea’s Original. Among other topics, Dro discusses his past projects (When I Blow Up, Don’t Show Up and The Sitdown with Infamous Haze), recording “Stand Strong” with producer Nick Jackelson and what we should expect from him music wise in the coming months.

If you have missed previous episodes of No Idea’s Original, you can listen to them here.

No Idea’s Original Radio Show (5/19/2013) | Download

Playlist:

01. The LOX – You’ll See (Feat. The Notorious B.I.G.)
02. Blahzay Blahzay – Danger Pt. 2 (Feat. Smoothe Da Hustler, Trigger Tha Gambler & Darkman)
03. Hannibal Stax & Marco Polo – Keep Grindin
04. Smif N’ Wessun – Next Shit
05. Sincere – Open Letter
06. Snoop Dogg – For All My Niggaz & Bitches (Feat. Lady Of Rage & Tha Dogg Pound)
07. 7 G.E.M.S. (Tragedy Khadafi & Tragic Allies) – Dem Get Murda
08. Big Noyd – Episodes Of A Hustla
09. Sunz Of Man – Bring It Back
10. Dro Pesci – Back Slap
11. Screwball – Real Niggaz
12. Onyx – Walk In NY
13. Raekwon – 10 Bricks (Feat. Ghostface Killah & Cappadonna)
14. Pusha T – Numbers On The Board
15. D & D Allstars – Ghetto Like D & D (Feat. QNC, Teflon, Afu-Ra, Jane Blaze, Kareem, Krumbsnatcha & Strang Wonduh)
16. Statik Selektah – 21 & Over (Feat. Sean Price & Mac Miller)
17. Molemen – 2 Hour Banger (Feat. Saigon)
18. D.I.T.C. – Way Of Life (Remix)
19. Redman – Do What You Feel (Feat. Method Man)
20. Nutso – Blood & Bones (Feat. Kool G. Rap & Mic Geronimo)
21. Dro Pesci – Muscles Gawd (Feat. Tame One)
22. Krumbsnatcha – Killer In Me
23. Dro Pesci – Gunz Galore

50 Cent sits down with Hard Knock TV’s Nick Huff Barili as part of SXSW’s interview series to discuss his meteoric rise to fame from humble beginnings in Queens, to his incredibly successful musical career and hip-hop empire, as well as his current work with SMS Headphones and the upcoming release of his album Street King Immortal. Enjoy and be educated.

[via Hard Knock TV]

This week on Enjoy and Be Educated, we’ve decided to focus on one of hip-hop’s most prolific producers, Justin Smith aka Just Blaze. With over 10 years in the industry, he’s produced hits for Jay-Z, Fabolous, Faith Evans and The Beastie Boys just to name a few. His versatility and penchant for picking choice samples has enabled him to stand out from his competition. Included are some of his productions (some famous, some obscure), and an original sample set to highlight his style of production. This will be part of “The Beatography” series, so expect future episodes informing and entertaining the masses on similar producers with an ever-growing legacy. Enjoy and be educated!

Enjoy and Be Educated #1312: The Beatography of Justin Smith (Just Blaze) | Download

Playlist:

01. Intro
02. Beanie Sigel – “Get Down”
03. Cam’ron – “Welcome To NYC” feat. Jay-Z
04. Fabolous – “Breathe”
05. Jadakiss – “It’s Time I See You” feat. Styles P, Sheek Louch, Eve, Infa-red & Cross
06. The Diplomats – “I Really Mean It”
07. Jay-Z – “The Dynasty Intro”
08. Jay-Z – “Girls, Girls, Girls”
09. T.I. – “The King’s Back”
10. Rhymefest – “Dynomite”
11. The Game – “Church For Thugs”
12. Memphis Bleek – “Just Blaze, Bleek & Free” feat. Just Blaze & Freeway
13. Freeway – “What We Do” feat. Jay-Z & Beanie Sigel
14. 24k- “Skully” (Remix) feat. Triple Seis
15. Freeway – “Flipside” feat. Peedi Crakk
16. Faith Evans – “Just Burnin’” feat. Freeway & P. Diddy
17. Kanye West – “Touch The Sky” (Remix) feat. D-Block & Lupe Fiasco
18. The Beastie Boys – “Ch-Ch-Check It Out” (Part 2)
19. Erick Sermon – “React” feat. Redman
20. Big Pun – “Off With His Head” feat. Prospect & Opera Steve
21. Jay Electronica – “Exhibit A”
22. Jay-Z – “Soon You’ll Understand”
23. Lil’ Wayne – “Million Dollar Baby” feat. DJ Drama
24. The Game – “Why You Hate The Game” feat. Nas & Marsha Ambrosius
25. Jay-Z – “Don’t You Know”

26. DJ Unexpected – “Look What I Found 2″ (Just Blaze Section)

27. DJ Unexpected – “Look What I Found 5″ (Just Blaze Section)

Enjoy and Be Educated airs every Saturday from 1-3PM (ET) on BBOXRadio.com