My Bass Rocks

Remember the best hip-hop track from ’07?  That’s right…”Roc Boys” was definitely the anthem from a dismal year in music, and is another staple in Jay-Z’s overtly impressive catalogue.  His American Gangster definitely gave the ’70′s gangster vibe, with some serious help from the reunited Hitmen (Diddy’s famous production collective).  This specific track from The Hitmen definitely stuck out from the rest, mainly due to those infectious horns we all came to know and love (Da-Da-nah-Da-nah-nah).

In the day and age of keys replacing the once-heavy vinyl chopping, I was pleasently surprised to hear that “Roc Boys” came from a sample.  Also, this sample wasn’t some abstract loop from the distant past, but one from the present.  Not only that, but a friend of mine is somehow related to the brilliant minds behind the original.  If you’re not familiar with The Dap-Kings or The Budos Band (or anyone within this collective), time to get learned…

The Menahan Street Band: “Make the Road by Walking”

Now speed that up, and the result is true Superhero music:

Jay-Z: “Roc Boys”

The horns!