'Ayo, Bring That Beat Back!': The Evolution of the Hip-Hop Instrumental Album Article by: William E. Ketchum III In the new issue of XXL, journalist Chairman Mao says, "Most of the time, you'd have to pay me to listen to these 'instrumental albums.'" I agree. For the most part, Hip-Hop instrumental albums aren't worth checking out. They're primarily full of beats that weren't previously released either because they didn't make the final cut of the artist's album or, as is the case a lot of the time, were just throwaway beats in the first place that were just sitting in their PCs. With the tracks that compile these instrumental albums having such a "leftover" aura, the albums lack track-to-track cohesiveness (despite the album being put together by only one producer) and overall quality; they're usually limited to a week of listens by hardcore fans who will support any of the producer's releases based on name recognition and allegiance, or from starving MCs who see the albums as an alternative to buying original beats. But recently, I've seen glimmers of hope. The most apparent example is Donuts, the new effort from recently-deceased J Dilla. While the tracks seem different from a lot of the production that he's done in the past, Donuts is chockfull of the novelty that the Detroit native has earned his whole career. J Dilla took the opportunity to try out some new techniques, sporadically chopping and reconstructing samples and incorporating a lot of electric music into the project—probably residue from his recent affiliation with Madlib’s Stones Throw Records. But it's still great - not only because he's offering something fresh for listeners, but because it's high quality music in the first place. Fans who want to hear more of the soulful boom bap he's earned his reputation off of can continue to eat off of his production on Common's BE, Dwele's Some Kinda..., and the countless other artists who he has blessed with beats. J Dilla is one of the most innovative, consistent producers in hip-hop, and his heart—most of Donuts was created in his hospital bed—will be missed. There have been other dope Hip-Hop instrumental LPs in recent memory too. Last year, Halftooth Records producer Oddisee released Instrumental Mixtape Vol. 1, which was a great combination of some of the best beats that he had given to other artists, beats from his own songs, and tracks that were previously unreleased. Underground legend Ayatollah has released two stellar instrumental albums in the past, So Many Reasons (which I haven't personally listened to, but I've heard good things) in 2001 and Now Playing this year, which has gotten consistent bump ever since I copped it a few days ago; like Donuts, Ayatollah took these opportunities to get experimental, doing work his clients wouldn't employ him for. Prince Paul did similarly with his Itstrumentals LP last year, while Pete Rock stuck to the script and employed his old school sensibilities with 2001’s Petestrumentals. Madlib has a new instrumental album coming out, Beat Konducta Vol. 1-2, that also combines some of the best previously-released work with new beats. I think that more of the industry's A-List producers should release Hip-Hop instrumental albums. They wouldn't go platinum, but there's definitely an audience that would appreciate them. They would also serve as a great promotional tools and transitional projects to hold fans over between major releases - if you don't hear a Timbaland beat on the radio or on an album for six months, and he has a really active first quarter coming up, an instrumental album released in the fourth quarter would prime listeners - especially hardcore fans - for the heat he's bringing to other artists' songs. Also, since instrumental albums are so rare in the first place, it'll give the impression that the producer is going back to grassroots hip-hop - and once A-List producers gain major commercial success, keeping underground/indie heads interested can prove difficult. Seeing instrumental projects from Kanye West, Just Blaze, and The Neptunes would be great for hip-hop. (11) Comments | Post a comment »

Good read and you make a good point

Posted by Sun Tzu

When kanye west released the college dropout, he announced that he was going to also release a re-mastered instrumental version w/ little tweaks here-and-there. He never did it, but it was a nice idea at the time.

Posted by Ducksauce

Wouldn't you get bored just listening to beats i think i would as i tend to focus om the rapper and the rhymes and not the beat.

Posted by England lad

Well kanye did release an instrumentals album which i have called behind the beats, he even tells the stories of how some of the beats came about and some of the beats i didn't even know he did (like trina's be alright ft. Ludacris). Anyhow, how could that be boring? especially if you like to rap and come up with rhymes, it would make a good mixtape for you if you're tryin' to get heard over quality beats.

Posted by KingJames313

In response to england lad, if you're someone who makes beats, this kind of cd is damn near bliss. You get ideas for arrangements and learn from different things on their. Instrumentals are the sh*t when you're one of the people trying to make them. I'm feelin this article though. A cd like this is needed. I wish they came out with sample discs too. That'd be tight anyway, 1.

Posted by wicked5744

It would of been great if kanye, in fact anyy producer released an album of there gretest instrumentals, seriously im pc music producer and if i had saugh 9th wonder instrumentals at cd quality i would pay for it

Posted by DjPhiziQue

If kanye and the neptunes put out an instrumental album, either together or independently, i would get that sh!t the day it came out. In response to englang lad: you might get bored with an instrumental album. But i know i wouldn't. People listen to music differently. Some listen to the words over the beats, and some listen to the beats over the words. Me, personally, if i'm not feelin' the beat or the music, i won't even pay attention to the rhymes. The beats/music makes me want to listen for the words in most cases. But there are a few cases, where i didn't really like the beat/music but the words got me. Like when young joc first came with "it's going down", when it got to the chorus, to me it sounded like it was missin' something in the background. I wasn't feelin' the music all the way, so i was "so-so" about the song. But i listened to the words, and although they weren't really deep or meaningful (no offense joc), the song grew on me. He got me doin' the lil motorcycle dance and everything. : )

Posted by udontwantnun

Yo i think that kanye west n the neptunes make great beats but i wonder if anyone remembers an old beat from maybe the early or mid ninetys. Ive been trying to get my hands o it for a while it uses a steady guitar rythym to it.it would take some serious work for me to get it.so anybody know which song it is?

Posted by m80

You look so cute

Posted by chanell thornton

U are hot

Posted by tiffany

Being that 98% of rappers nowadays are str8 ass crack, and people are getting sick of hearing about guns, money, bling and women are getting tired of being called Bia'ches and hoes, i think that the instrumental album is a good thing. Besides, in any genre i don't pay attention to lyrics anyway because it's the music that stands out.

Posted by mista ecks

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