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A school report about Memphis rap by Clendon Toblerone, age 13,6th grade

"Think over the top OMINOUS John Carpenter basslines, more tape smudge and
obscurity then all minimal wave records in history, enchanting inspiring
melodies and pure unadulterated poetry"

Unknown to the large public and mostly forgotten, Memphis RAP is a truly unique
rap/hiphop style that originated out of Memphis, Tennessee during the early 90s.

The sound is extremely dark and electronic sometimes even bordering to the
UK IDM sound. Best described as a slow electro style somewhat similar to the
1999 Orgue Electronique The Eye That Never Sleeps album combined with an Eazy
E NWA vibe mixed with raw synthetic soundtracks from the 1980s.
 
In contrast to normal rap and hiphop the sampling of soul & RnB records is
rare and the genre shines in mostly original produced tracks with
thick synthetic John Carpenter style bass lines and mesmerizing hypnotic
melodies. The drummachine of choice was the BOSS DR660 with its snappy lo-fi
snares and build in synthbass sounds. If sampling occurs it is mostly from
(horror)soundtracks and other (Memphis) rap tracks.

Particular are the raps with unique tongue twisting telling the heroic
stories of gangsters and their crime antics. Occult demon stuff, witchcraft
and worship of weed are also common subjects in the lyrics.
 
Some tracks don't even have raps but a few sampled snippets that keep
repeating like a mantra for a drug crazed hazy lifestyle of crime. (S.V.P
Click's - Time To Hit the Dope Hoe for example which could be mistaken
for an early Aphex Twin track at times)

Vinyl releases were almost non existent in this scene, mixtapes on cassettes
and CD's were the media of choice.

The golden years of Memphis rap were probably from 1992 till around 1995
when the sound had a unique rawness created by lo-fi tape recordings, cheap
MIDI equipment and the genius production skills of Tommy Wright III, DJ Sound,
DJ Spanish Fly, DJ Paul and Lord Infamous. Sadly the style watered down as
many artist went  on to record other styles of rap music. Memphis Rap would evolve into Horror-core rap and together with Miami Bass it also lay the the foundation for Crunk music in the 1990s.

A small Memphis rap influenced scene blossomed in Finland and still survives
today with artists like Evil Stoo, Kuksokuu, DJ Kridlokk and others.

Written by Clendon Toblerone

(Legend has it that Clendon was expelled from School and taken into custody
after writing this)
---====----

Legowelt's MEMPHIS RAP MIX III: MEMPHIS WITCHCRAFT TRACKLIST:
(downloadable/playable on http://www.legowelt.org)

1. Ambient#6 unreleased
2. MC Money & Gangsta Gold -
3. Children of the Corn - Playa Hatin'
4. Buckshot, Criminal Mane & Buckshot - Ridin'Steamer
5. Eevil Stoo - Lainaan Enka Palauta pt.2 ft. DJ Kridlok
6. Koopsta Knicca - Crucifix
7. 2 Low Key - On That Devil Shit
8. DJ Spanish Fly - Cement Shoes
9. Big Tim - So Serious
10. MC Money & Gangsta Gold - Weed Is What I Need
11. Darkside Click - Ain't no Shame
12. Kingpin Skinny Pimp - Nobody Crosses Me
13. Mack D.L.E - Buddah
14. Frayser Click - Demons Taking Over Me
15. DJ Zirk - 2 Thick
16. DJ Zirk - Lock'm In Da Trunk
17. Blackout - No Witness
18. North Memphis
19. 326 Maffia - Niggaz Ain't Barrin Dat
20. Rob Hubbard - Populous Amiga Soundtrack
21. DJ Spanish Fly - Slanging Cane