Roc La (Whole Darn) Familia
May 31, 2008
Ever wonder how Jay-Z jettisoned from Jaz-O’s flat-topped sidekick to one of hip-hop’s most important figures of all time? Obviously, Reasonable Doubt was our first taste of the MC we have come to know and respect, but it was the main single off that album that opened the door. The single I’m referring to is “Ain’t No N***a,” featuring a young Foxy Brown. Since this single hit the world, Jigga has taken over the music industry and is arguably the most powerful man in hip-hop.
But, without that funky bass line from “Ain’t No..” (boom ba doom boom boom doom..), who knows where Mr. Carter would be today. I’m sure he would find his share of success in the industry, but it wouldn’t be the same story without that perfectly-timed first single, and more notably, the memorable sample used for this track.
This bass-heavy sample comes from “Seven Minutes of Funk,” by The Whole Darn Family. Tyrone Thomas (drummer and vocalist) founded the group in 1974, which consisted of a racially diverse bunch (props to the funky white boys). Apparently, after a gig in North Carolina, Thomas came up with the melody for “Seven Minutes..” in his head and made sure to keep note until they returned to Richmond to record. Little did they realize how important this breakbeat would become in hip-hop history…
The Whole Darn Family: “Seven Minutes of Funk”
Jay-Z: “Ain’t No”
Not only that, but this sample also helped launch the careers of Eric Sermon & Parrish Smith, better known as EPMD. Together they would become one of the most influential and noteworthy hip-hop groups of the golden era. This was their first big single as well:
EPMD: “It’s My Thing”
“Seven Minutes..” has also been used by such artists as The Alkaholiks, Redman, Method Man, and Gravediggaz (to name a few). However, the significance of The Whole Darn Family in music history is much greater than the band could have imagined. With one loop, they were able to launch the careers of some of the biggest names in hip-hop…Besides James Brown, not too many other people can say that.
That being said, I felt that Tyrone Thomas and his funky crew should get a little shine on Bass Rocks. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that I found “Has Arrived” on wax yesterday either…
[...] information about the band is surprisingly difficult to find. Fortunately, My Bass Rocks has a great post on “Seven Minutes” which includes some background info on Thomas and his fam. The [...]
Hello zeckwreck
Am Tyrone Thomas and reading your blog was great.
Listen if you are interested in find out what they are doing today, just let me know.
We are still a family of funk.
and yes its really me.
Tyrone Thomas (Seven Minutes of Funk
Thanks for the props for our band. A little digging should turn up info on at least a few of the original members. Credit for the Seven Minutes bassline should go to Woudy Hughes, who still lives in Richmond and has recently taken up the bass again. I never stopped playing trumpet, and am currently playing with a Richmond soul/funk band, Second Nature, and yes, we play the hell out of Seven Minutes of Funk!
Giz Bowe