Wild Side, New Groove

Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" bassline and outsider narratives lay the groundwork for A Tribe Called Quest's jazz-infused hip-hop, transforming rock's melancholic origins for the 90s.

Tracklist

  1. Walk on the Wild Side — Lou Reed
  2. Can I Kick It? — A Tribe Called Quest
  3. Heroin — The Velvet Underground
  4. Perfect Day — Lou Reed
  5. Bonita Applebum — A Tribe Called Quest
  6. Me Myself and I — De La Soul
  7. Electric Relaxation — A Tribe Called Quest

Transcript

Welcome to OffStereo. Late night session. Let's get into it.

We've got a story to unfold — let me set the frame before we drop into the music.

Walk on the Wild Side — Lou Reed

Walk on the Wild Side by Lou Reed — this is where the thread starts.

Can I Kick It? — A Tribe Called Quest

A Tribe Called Quest ingeniously repurposed Lou Reed's iconic bassline, transforming its melancholic rock origins into a jazz-infused hip-hop anthem. Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad looped Herbie Flowers' double-bass line from "Walk on the Wild Side" to create the laid-back foundation for "Can I Kick It?"

Heroin — The Velvet Underground

Before the laid-back groove, Lou Reed was a pioneer of raw, unflinching narratives. Tracks like "Heroin" from The Velvet Underground's debut showcased his willingness to explore taboo subjects, laying the groundwork for the outsider themes that would later define "Walk on the Wild Side."

Perfect Day — Lou Reed

Lou Reed's 1972 album 'Transformer,' which features "Walk on the Wild Side," also gave us the poignant "Perfect Day." Produced by David Bowie, the album demonstrated Reed's incredible range, capable of both gritty street tales and tender, contrasting narratives that shaped the original soundscape.

Bonita Applebum — A Tribe Called Quest

From the same debut album, 'People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm,' "Bonita Applebum" further exemplifies A Tribe Called Quest's distinctive jazz-infused sound. Their production, characterized by sparse drums and open space, built a new atmosphere from eclectic samples.

Me Myself and I — De La Soul

A Tribe Called Quest were part of the Native Tongues collective, whose playful, sample-heavy approach redefined hip-hop soundscapes in the early 90s. De La Soul's "Me Myself and I" is another prime example of this era's innovative spirit and conscious messaging.

Electric Relaxation — A Tribe Called Quest

Building on the foundation set by "Can I Kick It?", A Tribe Called Quest continued to evolve their signature sound. "Electric Relaxation" from their 1993 album 'Midnight Marauders' showcases their intricate lyrical interplay and continued mastery of jazz-infused production.

It's incredible how a simple riff can find new rhythm and purpose, creating something utterly fresh from a familiar sound. Thanks for joining us on OffStereo, listening deeply to the echoes and inspirations.

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