Alright so we’re feeling really nostalgic and want to give a tribute to one of the most influential sounds for us growing up: New Jack Swing.  New Jack Swing started in the late 80’s and dominated charts until the mid 90’s.  The sound started as a hybrid to bring the street sounds of Hip-Hop (using Akai SP-1200 sampler and Roland 808 drum machine) and bring the ballads and soulful sounds from R&B. Although this is a common formula today sadly Ja Rule and Ashanti did not start this trend at the time neither group of artists would do tracks together. The sound didn’t just dominate radio air play but it spilled through onto TV shows such as: A Different World, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Arsenio Hall Show, In Living Color (and more) as well some of the best movies: Boyz in the Hood, Poetic Justice & House Party (yeah the House Party 1 is untouchable!!!).    Fueled by some of the top producers such as Babyface, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis the first name and title owner of NJS is Teddy Riley.

So to kick off this month’s tribute here is a massive classic: Rump Shaker by Wreckx-N-Effect.  The track produced by Riley and The Redhead Kingpin also had some production by Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams (before they were the Neptunes).  Hugo and Williams were signed by Riley back then as his proteges.  Not only did they lend there production hands to the track but Williams wrote Rileys rap on the track.  So solid hard bassline and that unmistakable saxophone is perfect way to kick off New Jack September!

Posted under music