A loud-mouth retired rock critic and a cranky expat rock obsessive discuss, analyze and just plain old argue about rock ‘n‘ roll: the old stuff, the new stuff and why it all still matters.
Episodes
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
In which The Curmudgeons give the origins of hip-hop a serious treatment and contemplate the magical melding of time, place and resources that makes its early history so compelling. The pioneers of the genre stared down the destruction and impoverishment of the South Bronx with the swagger of kings, organically spinning celebration, and positivity, out of their circumstances. They also channeled the competitiveness of the streets into hip-hop's four "elements" -- DJing, MCing, breakdancing and graffiti -- ensuring there was as much sport as there was funk. Hip-hop became the ultimate DIY creation as a result.
Check out a book we reference during this episode, Jeff Chang's wonderful "Can;t Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation":
Here's a handy navigation for the episode.
(0:54 - 6:20) - Arturo sets the parameters for our discussion
(7:40 - 20:18) - The Parallel Universe, in which we review new music from PJ Harvey and Yard Act
(21:17 - 1:04:59) - Chris, with Arturo's considerable input, discusses four aspects of the hip-hop origin story that make it so unique; plus, we discuss hip-hop "elements" in detail
(1:06:24 - 1:45:48) - We discuss the influence four hip-hop pioneers -- Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash, Grandmaster Caz -- and marvel at the story of "Rapper's Delight," hip-hop's first hit single.
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