“My Wiz Play The Flute”
AUDIO By TSSCrew on April 25, 2009 at 9:41 pmWords By Jesse H.
I don’t know the reason, but nearly every Hip-Hop track I’ve heard that utilizes the flute is phenomenal. It’s an interesting strand, but it makes sense. While it certainly isn’t the manliest of instruments, hearing a flute on the track says something about the producer; that they have searched for creative samples which expand their musical palette beyond the standard drum kit/bass/synth combo. Here’s five flute-flecked Hip-Hop highlights:
Nas- “Nas Is Like” (Prod. by DJ Premier) — Obviously, a stone cold Five Cig flute standard. The flute brings to mind an image of gliding across the top of a jungle canopy, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon-style. Near the top of the laundry list of Premier’s greatest beats.
Ghostface Killer - “The Forest” (Prod. by The Alchemist) — The most dynamic flute sample on this list, the fluttering whistle of the flutes is a perfect contrast to the imposing low brass part. Immaculately titled, Ghost provides appropriately left field imagery for this walk through the woodland.
Cee-Lo- “Big Ole Words (Damn)” — Proof that a flute on a Hip-Hop track doesn’t have to be high pitched. The low-key, nearly whispered flute part provides a suitable backdrop for Cee-Lo to spazz.
Hi-Tek Feat. Nas, J Dilla, Common, Busta Rhymes and Marsha Ambrosius - “Music For Life” — Like “Big Ole Words,” this track stands out because the flute is not merely a nice touch to fill out a beat, but the basis of the melody itself. It’s a nostalgic and reflective loop, that allows the multitude of guests to emote properly.
Diamond D - “Sally Got A One-Track Mind” (Prod. by Diamond D) — This is potentially my favorite use of flutes in Hip-Hop ever. The way the hushed flute comes in so softly and lazily trails down the scale makes for a remarkable addition to that moseying bassline.
But if those five tracks can’t convince you that the flute can be straight Hip-Hop, maybe this guy can
Posted in AUDIO, LOOSIES, MUSIC — Tags: Busta Rhymes, Cee-lo, Cee-Lo Green And His Perfect Imperfections, Common, Diamond D, Ghostface Killer, Hi-Tek, Hi-Teknology Vol. 2: The Chip, J. Dilla, Marsha Ambrosius, Nas, Stunts Blunts & Hip-Hop, The Alchemist
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33 Comments
how ’bout “Watch Out Now” by The Beatnuts
Great list. The flute’s definitely up there in instruments I like to hear in a hip-hop track.
I know there r some Cali ppl that freq the site WTF is up with the fur boats @ the beach?
Matter fact boots period, just y?
Nice post jesse. flute is nice but not as sweet as the violin or the piano.
i got a beat with a flute sample on my new beat tape, check it out guys!
http://rapidshare.com/files/224173341/Constrobuz_-_BEATS_Vol._2.rar
or
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?iudzovnedqm
Kobe is working utah!
@Teef
Are you referring to “Off The Books feat. Big Pun”?
Just like he worked Eagle, Colorado
Rapist on fire…
lmao @ hater chris tryna get some love…ninja ya beat tape sucks…shit sounds like a mental patient bangin pots n pans together
“..I stroll through the forest like: “peace bushes, trees hello!”
I think Bulletproof Wallets gets a bad rep but that album had some of Ghost’s best work including The Forest
ok hater sherm
lol i’m just fuckin with you chris (pause) …i would never listen to your beat tape…but i’m sure it’s great
Lol, you know Chris, if you tempered your hate w/a little constructive criticism here & there, you might not receive the venom when you share your music.
Otherwise, lmao @ the “mental patient”.
I always loved The Forest.
man i got this beat… its chopped up so that nothin repeats for a whole 16 bars, most beats repeat after 4-8 bars. and dude is just killin it on the flute. it bangs hard as hell. and yeah put watch out now right at the top.
man F all that beat tape talk.
yall need to check this:
http://nahright.com/news/2009/04/20/video-turbo-holographic-double/
“Unleash the flutes on em Guru!”
Hov with the instrument identity fail
uhhhhhh how can you forget dre-lil ghetto boy
Hater Chris posting links…
Only a mental patient would talk like hater Chris does then expect/hope/think anyone here would give anything connected to him the time of day.
who can front that Oochie Wally wasn’t a hot (if annoyingly overplayed) beat. Same with Truth Hurts’ Addictive.
They featured this cat on Current TV last year. I’m addicted to that channel. if you got Direct TV, check for it. they got some heat. them and G4TV… G4TV gets better music pods tho.
@ Deen - watch out now and off the books are two different tracks. both by the Beatnuts. watch out now just didn’t get the radio play off the books did.
J5’s Jayou anyone? one of the first tracks i thought of when i saw the title.
http://rapidshare.com/files/133076171/Jurassic_5_-_LP__1998_.rar
beastie boys Sure Shot - the flute is ill. and yeah Jayou by J5 is dope.
Off topic, and maybe I’m late with this news… But, is this the beginning of the end of rapidshare
http://torrentfreak.com/rapidshare-shares-uploader-info-with-rights-holders-090425/
Nice article, however, best flute sample is of course Indian Flute by Timbaland.
India and Timbo stand up! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW1xRc5ITik
True, that Timbo track is crazy too…
My favourite flute-song is the one from Styles P, produced by Havoc: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-YDmA-FCS4
Damnit PNC I wanted to make that Blueprint 2 reference first. That song is the illest.
Damn U fools did you forget about Mos Def “Sex Love & Money” that had some dope flute on it!!!
@Mad Max, actually I take that back, that Havoc beat with the flute is even better!
http://mtv.com/bands/n/notorious_big/lyrics/index2.jhtml
..don’t forget that Timbo’s ‘Big Pimpin’ Jay Z
how you gonna not include Jimmy Z & Dr. Dre’s conceptual masterpiece - Funky Flute???
watch the video — http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=11925625
I still can’t believe Dre produced the entire album. it’s so craptastic!
in case anybody don’t remember Jimmy Z was Jim Zavalas — a middle aged greasy white dude flute player that inexplicably got signed to Ruthless Records.
Dr Dre did indeed produce his WHOLE ENTIIIIIIRE album. it’s all flute (actually some harmonica & sax too!). it’s really truly amazingly atrocious, & Dre asks entirely too often if the listener wants to blow his flute.