Further discussion of compositional process
[1] For those interested in how the inverted compositional process that I describe in “Aspects” and in this response operates in other rap songs, and other genres, a brief series of examples follows.
[2] “Still Shining” is not the only earlier rap song in which one can safely assume that the music existed prior to the text. The rap classic “Paid in Full,” an audio clip of which is presented as Audio Example 3a, begins with a dialogue between rapper Rakim and DJ Eric B. At around 20 seconds into this introduction, Eric B. says, “since we talkin’ over this def(1) beat right here that I put together, I want to hear some of them def rhymes.” This strongly suggests that the musical accompaniment existed prior to the lyrics.
| Audio Example 3a. Eric B. and Rakim, “Paid in Full” (1987), 0:00–0:37 |
[3] At least in some rap genres, this compositional process seems to be alive and well today. Williams himself gives two examples from recent rap in which one can assume that the basic beat, or a significant portion of it, had been composed prior to the lyrics. In paragraph 15, he cites both Jay-Z and Lady Sovereign responding to aspects of their accompanying track, which must mean that some or all of that track existed prior to the vocals. Likewise, in an interview discussing the immensely popular single “In da Club” (2002), rapper 50 Cent describes its composition as follows:
Dre,(2) he’ll play dope beats ... [He’ll say], “These are the hits, 50. So pick one of these and make a couple of singles or something.” The very first time he heard [me rap on] “In Da Club” he said, “Yo, I didn't think you was going to go there with it, but, you know, it works.” He was probably thinking of going in a different direction with that song.(3)
[4] This description is striking because it indicates that not only did the music exist prior to the lyrics, but that Dr. Dre had specific ideas of what the lyrical content might be based on the music.
[5] Finally, this compositional process is not limited to rap music. Another type of music in which it is used is the jazz genre known as the “vocalese,” in which words are composed to a famous instrumental solo. One of the best-known examples is “Moody’s Mood for Love,” with lyrics set by Eddie Jefferson to a pre-existing saxophone solo by James Moody. Audio Example 3b is an audio clip of the original saxophone solo, Audio Example 3c is the vocalese set to it.
| Audio Example 3b. “Moody’s Mood for Love,” saxophone solo by James Moody, 0:00–0:42 | |
| Audio Example 3c. “Moody’s Mood for Love,” vocalese by King Pleasure with Blossom Dearie, 0:00–0:36 |
Footnotes
1. “Def” is a 1980’s slang word defined by the Oxford
English Dictionary as “excellent, outstanding; fashionable, cool.” Opinion seems
to be divided as to whether the word derives from “death,” via an inverted
process like the one in which “bad” came to stand for “good,” or from
“definitive.”
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2.
Rapper and producer Andre Young, known as Dr. Dre.
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3.
Reid, Shaheem, et al. “50 Cent: Money to Burn,” at http://www.mtv.com/bands/123/50_Cent/news_feature_021203/index.jhtml (accessed April 14, 2009).
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Prepared by
Brent Yorgason, Managing Editor
Updated
01 July 2009