Thursday 31 May 2012

HIP HOP CLASSICS - Digital Underground - 'The Freaks of the Industry'



Digital Underground - 'Freaks of the Industry' (1990)

The sad passing of Donna Summer last week, not only meant we lost the queen of disco but also perhaps the queen of sauce, with of course 'Love to Love You' and 'I Feel Love', particularly racy numbers (as featured in Shell Hunters fitting tribute here). It also reminded me of this cheeky number by California Hip Hop collective, Digital Underground, who brilliantly use a sample of 'Love to Love You', making it one of my favourite and certainly sleaziest tracks in my arsenal. Phwoar!!

They've managed to make it ruder by slowing down and splicing up Donna Summer's steamy vocals over a slinky bassline which is, oh so good. But it's the spicy well delivered and witty rhyming, so synonymous with Digital Underground's style, that clinches it for me.

Digital Underground....a bit saucy!

'Freaks of the Industry' is taken from their debut album, Sex Packets, one of the most groundbreaking and innovative Hip Hop albums from the early 90's. Signed to trailblazing label Tommy Boy, it's little wonder they were stable mates with fellow Hip Hop pioneers, De La Soul. Even Rap legend, Tupac Shakur first plied his trade with them before going solo. Heavily influenced by Jazz and Funk, particularly Parliament, they managed to create their own unique trademark sound, almost psychadelic in nature, with distinctive beats and bubbling basslines. They never took themselves too seriously as most tracks were predominately about sex, booty and parties - what more could a hormonal teenager want? Hmm...or a man approaching middle age for that matter? Nope, a long lie will do.  
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HIP HOP CLASSICS - Digital Underground - 'The Freaks of the Industry'
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Oleh

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31 May 2012 at 12:35

I'll be the first to admit I'm not that familiar with many Digital Underground tracks. I got the 12 inch of Sex Packets and remember them in the (awful) film Nothing But Trouble where they did Same Old Song I think. I like this and yeah the naughty background bits work.

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1 June 2012 at 17:16

Ooh the 12 inch of Sex Packets..fnar..ehem. Sex Packets is a classic album fo sho and Nothing but Trouble was indeed tragic. I've been looking for a version of 'Same Song' from that film, I had it on cassette single but when I upgraded it to CD the version was different. All MP3's are the same as the CD version too. Anyway boring!!

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3 June 2012 at 09:17

Great track with base to die for...very informative too...from a hormonal pensioner

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4 June 2012 at 11:14

Those lyrics would make a blow up doll blush!! I've always liked what I've heard when you've played D.U, especially if it featured Humpty Hump. I loved his nasal voice and the fact he looks like he is wearing those disguise glasses with the fake nose and tash attached!

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