Brad Knutson

When most people think about the birth of hip-hop, "Rapper's Delight" by Sugarhill Gang is probably the first thing that comes to mind. However, true hip-hop fans know that while Sugarhill had the first hit single, the true pioneers of the genre were DJ Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa. In 1970, when he first started spinning records at parties in the South Bronx, Herc invented "the break," a core technique of DJing that involves extending an instrumental break of a song by mixing between two copies of the same record. A few years later, after establishing a large following as a DJ himself, Afrika Bambaataa formed the Zulu Nation, a group of graffiti artists, DJs, breakers (dancers) and rappers that collectively comprised what he called the "four elements" of hip-hop. Unfortunately, Herc's career was drastically cut short in 1977 after nearly being stabbed to death at one of his parties. Bambaataa, however, carried the torch, furthering his reputation as a DJ and later picking up the mic to record some of the most influential records of the era, forever sealing his status as the "godfather of hip-hop."

A quarter of a century later, Bambaattaa's recordings continue to be some of the most influential and sampled pieces of music in the industry today. In fact, in the past year alone, Bambaataa samples were prominently featured in three hit singles. LL Cool J's "Control Myself" (with J-Lo) and DJ Khaled's "Holla At Me" both heavily sampled "Looking for the Perfect Beat," while Fergie's "Fergilicious" borrowed from "Planet Rock." In fact, the latter, which itself heavily borrows from Kraftwerk and Morricone, is considered by most to be the most sampled track in hip-hop history. So, despite years of technical advances in recording technology and an almost infinite number of sample sources now available via the Internet, why does everyone keep going back to these two records from 1982?

"It's probably because people want some change again and want some music with peace, love and unity," says Bambaataa, speaking via telephone from New York. "I guess they want to have fun at parties like they used to." Bambaataa isn't shy about championing his old-school scene, but it's not because he's stuck in the past and doesn't like new music. Like many other artists from his generation, Bambaataa is critical of how negative and superficial the genre has become. One of his biggest targets in his crusade to bring meaning back to hip-hop is the mainstream media.

"We need a balance on the airwaves," says Bambaataa, "we ain't saying censorship, we sayin' a balance. If you play 50 Cent, then we want to hear Common Sense. And we want to hear the Sugarhill Gang, Kraftwerk, James Brown, The Rolling Stones. We don't care if it's rap, metal, funk, soul, calypso, African jazz...any music, [just] play the old with the new."

As a DJ, Bambaataa continues to practice what he preaches and he vows to "play anything that's funky" this week at Smart Bar. Aiding him in his old-school curriculum will be another hip-hop legend famous for his "lessons," Steinski. In 1983, advertising writer, DJ and record collector Steve Stein collaborated with engineer Douglas DiFranco (better known as "Double Dee") to create "Lesson 1: The Payoff Mix," a submission for a Tommy Boy Records' "mastermix" DJ contest. Amongst a panel of judges that included Afrika Bambaataa himself, Steinski's mix was unanimously voted as the winner and soon it became a top-ten hit on urban radio stations. Despite its success, The Payoff Mix never reached store shelves due to copyright complications with all of the sampled material. Nonetheless, the duo went on to produce two more installments of the influential "Lessons" series that would later provide the foundation for the careers of such collage masters as Cut Chemist, Coldcut and DJ Shadow.

Bringing these two old-school icons together for one night is veteran local concert promoter Sang Yi, who is celebrating the fourth installment of his annual "Sangageddon" birthday party. Rounding out the bill with be Sangageddon regulars Intel, Maker and Skor, as well as a live set from experimental hip-hop mastermind Daedelus.

Afrika Bambaataa headlines Sangageddon IV at Smart Bar, 3730 North Clark, (773)549-0203, on January 18 at 10pm. $15 cover.

(2007-01-16)

Also by Brad Knutson

Hooked on the Groove
When a Peter Hook DJ set was first scheduled last year at Smart Bar, it definitely seemed like it was a unique one-off type of event. However, just a few months later, Hook's name showed up again on the Smart Bar bill. While the return was a bit of a surprise, at that point I don't think anyone was expecting the influential bassist for both Joy Division and dancefloor legends New Order to quit his day job. Now, however, as he returns to spin records in Joe Shanahan's basement yet again, it`s beginning to look as though we may, in fact, have to add "internationally touring DJ" to Hook's already illustrious resume
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Discovery
According to their press bio, Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay first met each other at a North Paris party where de Rosnay was "spitting in a girl's hair." Apparently this made quite an impression on Augé, as not long after the two began working on music together
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Spin Control
After more than a decade of work and five albums for local indie stalwart Thrill Jockey, German electronic duo Mouse on Mars is back with a brand new record and a brand new label
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Spin Control
After almost literally blowing off the roof of the Biz 3 tent this summer at the Pitchfork Media Festival, Spank Rock returns to Chicago this week for another Baltimore booty assault
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Tip of the Week
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Kaos Pays the Rent
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