I’m here to give a Slick Rick is flowers, that line “Once upon a time, not long go” is a Slick Rick line from Children’s Story (1988) Bro…long before UGK 1996
Great video. Love your content. You are a music aficionado. People forget that LL Cool J made the Song “Illegal Search “ that talked about this topic first. This was on the “Knock You Out “Album.
5:49 for such an iconic drum break all I could here is fix up look sharp by dizzee rascal. it’s fairly raw to the original for English grime to be using it in the mid 2000’s is crazy! Love the content man👌
Too many people don’t see the genius in Jay-Z but you explained it perfectly. It’s not just some lyrics thrown together with a few clever punchlines here & there.
I didn't know Rick produced it and didn't know there was a 20 page paper written about 99 problems, that is so crazy. I'm sure people have already said but Once upon a time not long ago, was Slick Rick in 88. Thanks for your videos, its some great history and breaking down the samples!
Yes! Should have made this clearer. That Slick Rick line has its own history, which UGK is part of. The UGK reference Jay is quoting is a much longer section, the first 4 lines. But the first line of UGK is also Slick Rick. So much history in one line 🔥
Black Sheep weren't referencing the Roger Miller song - which was something they almost certainly had no familiarity with; rather, the "engine, engine number nine" chant is from a common elementary-school/playground rhyme, often used in jump-rope games, etc.
I had that same thought when he referenced it...clearly, Dres was pulling from the kids song. I went back and checked the Roger Miller song...lyrically, the first couple of lines are generally the same as the kids version (which also varies lyrically depending on where you grew up...words have a way of changing in the translation)....which begs the question...which came first, the Miller record or the kid song??? I couldn't find any definitive answer out there.
It was a sweat tune. He should've given Ice-T his props though. Seen Ice-T in an interview saying Jay-Z didn't reach out or give him any credit at all. That's pretty sour. The verses might be different but all the old skool heads I know were immediately thinking Ice-T when Jay Z dropped the song. The chorus hook is unmistakable. Good vid as always though.
It was real eerie when I got the notification for your new video - I was right in mid-thought about Rick Rubin and all the artists he's produced... was listening to a random mix of favorite tracks and wondered why Tom Petty went so well on the heels of System Of A Down when I realized they were both produced by Rubin, and recorded in the same studio 😁 And I'm also reading his _fantastic_ new book, _The Creative Act,_ which has become like my personal bible to live by. Highly recommended! He's always worked with the best, no matter the genre, from HipHop to heavy metal... his creative philosophy is very similar to John Frusciante's, which isn't surprising considering their close working relationship. Keep up the great work! The energy of "99 Problems", and its brilliant video, is the essence of HipHop, imo.
What blows my mind is Rick Rubin has zero music theory knowledge and has no idea how any of the hardware works he just literally knows what sounds good. One of my fav Rubin stories is when Ye gave him like 3 hours of the most random sounds ever and told him to make it sound like hip hop for Yeezus.
to me the greatest part of this story is that Rick Rubin is briefly in the 99 Problems music video in the front seat of Jay-Z's car as he is pulled over
Fuck man, seeing you recreate beats is so helpful. Would you ever do a video on how you actually recreate them, your process? Do you look for the stems, talk to people involved, or just try to listen and figure it out like that? I'm trying to up my production game, and theft/recreation is the foundation of learning.
The late Duane Allman is rumoured to have played guitar with Wilson Pickett and the band. Ice T is to have, actually composed the song with one of the members of the 2 Live Crew...Great set and concept...Thanks.
Rick Rubin was crazy for the production of this track. Jay-Z's lyricism was both confusing, astounding, and frustrating at the same time; and this song blew my mind because it agitated me.
Another great video, really enjoying your work and the way you tell stories while also providing music theory education and history! After watching this and your Beatles one, I can only hope/dream there might be a Grey Album one in the works? 😉🙏
I love these Friday agy drops... Get done with work and zone out to a Diggin'the Greats video to move into the weekend. Ice T said recently him and Jay Z talked out about Ice "being upset with Hov" at the Grammys this year. Cool to hear they both shared the respect they have for each other with each other, but Ice said Jay could've shouted him out or something🤣
Trick Daddy had a track called 99 Problems on Thugs R Us in 2001. Pretty good if anyone hasn’t heard it, definitely a direct tribute to Ice-T and Brother Marquis’s version.
Man, he mentioned the Big Beat sample from Billy Squier and doesn't mention UTFO's Roxanne, Roxanne produced by Full Force??! Why is that?? They weren't as big as other rap acts but were foundational to move hip hop along in 1984
Jay sampled older lyrics the way a producer will sample old songs. I never thought about this song like that before, and although I always loved the track, I always assumed he just biting lyrics.. I do think in previous jay songs he really does rip alotta biggie lines, and honestly if you're rhymin off the top of your head all the time, you're gonna end up biting the styles you listen to the most. but this song in particular when it came out got me chasing samples and listening to original music I never would have found. great vid btw.
The guitar actually doesn’t come from the Billy Squier song. I’ve known the real sample for years, but have kept to myself. Perhaps I will submit it to whosampled soon, but it’ll likely get rejected. They’re known to reject submissions that could result in the suing of their protected artists/producers. I’d reveal it for money though.
Speaking of Rick Rubin, everyone who's serious about music, should check out his recent interview with George Clinton. An incredible document with only one defect: it is way too short.
billy squier should send rick rubin a present every year for all the money rick has made him by sampling his music,. billy should be in the hip hop hall of fame just because how iconic the big beat is
@@janconner2087 those early years 80-85 it was the wild west rappers would just sample whatever they wanted without asking or paying it was around 1986 the lawyers got involved didnt biz markie have his entire album pulled from stores because he sampled alone naturally by gilbert osullivan even after he denied biz request to use song?i think that was around 1991
@@bb-gc2tx the laws regarding sampling wasn’t clear in the early days, which opened the door to the sample clearance market. What happened to Biz, Beastie Boys and others was copyright infringement cases. With Full Force, being that they were also musicians before becoming producers, they took the time to include Squier in the credits
@@janconner2087 squier must have great lawyers he actually got half the songwriting credit on alicia keys hit girl on fire just for her using the big beat he is earning serious mail box money just looked it up hes worth 70 million on another note if you havent seen it yet watch the new documentry on biz it was incredible
Its also a Ice T song, still is funny that 80s rick rubin is hip hop, and, Slayer and Danzig, which is really funny, just odd to think about the fact Rick Rubin produced Mother and Its Tricky two of the best songs of the 80s
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This is a great channel. I have a question though. How did you manage to get your videos online without those companies blocking them to claim rights?
You missed something about 99 problems: ruclips.net/video/S83kIhH-gl0/видео.html
Jay-Z's police officer voice is one of the greatest moments in music history lol
Fun fact: at some point during the recording of this song, Mike D of the Beastie Boys was in the studio.
It's easier to believe that than it is to believe that's screech's brother 😂
Man not only are the videos really interesting and wild but the topics you choose are just perfect to be honest
🙏🙏
This song is a big deal, because of Rick Rubin. This was the first time Rick produced a hip hop track in fifteen years.
The drums are so instantly recognisable. Eminem bezerk feels kinda similar
I’m here to give a Slick Rick is flowers, that line “Once upon a time, not long go” is a Slick Rick line from Children’s Story (1988) Bro…long before UGK 1996
This guy actually played behind Nas in his first show in MSG
I didn't really realize that was Nas' first MSG show... can't imagine how mad that must've been!
@@Jimmy1982Playlists
Bro is certified, hip-hop legend, New York legend and RUclips legend
Love this song, just wish Ice-T got more credit for it.
That part right there. Whenever I hear that title or chorus, I immediately think of Ice-T and Brother Marquis first.
Fact
Made a hot verse - I made a hot song - Jay Z
He gets publishing for it. How much more credit does he need?
Wow this is an awesome breakdown. Great work as always
🙏🙏🙏
Your production and presentation are second to none sir!
It's the channel I've been waiting for since 2011
You’re such an amazing RUclipsr, the way you merge into other stories is great
Always dope. nice one man!
Another great video. Salute.
Brilliant as always, professor!
Thanks a ton for these.
Great video. Love your content. You are a music aficionado. People forget that LL Cool J made the Song “Illegal Search “ that talked about this topic first. This was on the “Knock You Out “Album.
Great vid as always.
5:49 for such an iconic drum break all I could here is fix up look sharp by dizzee rascal. it’s fairly raw to the original for English grime to be using it in the mid 2000’s is crazy! Love the content man👌
As much as I love The Blueprint & Reasonable Doubt, The Black Album is in my opinion, Jay-Z's best album.
I go with American Gangster. That he did the entire album in 9 days based on an advanced screening of the movie to convey his thoughts is awesome
This video is an awesome thesis on the genius of hip hop music
My dude holding the pose at the end, LIKE A PRO!!!!!!
😂😂
Good stuff, man!
Too many people don’t see the genius in Jay-Z but you explained it perfectly.
It’s not just some lyrics thrown together with a few clever punchlines here & there.
It's Ice Ts song
It's Ice T's hook, not his song. The lyrics are totally different.
Love the production quality and even the pro sponsor segways. Excited to see how the channel grows
What if the "once upon a time not long ago" is a reference to Slick Rick's Childrens Story
I didn't know Rick produced it and didn't know there was a 20 page paper written about 99 problems, that is so crazy. I'm sure people have already said but Once upon a time not long ago, was Slick Rick in 88. Thanks for your videos, its some great history and breaking down the samples!
Yes! Should have made this clearer. That Slick Rick line has its own history, which UGK is part of. The UGK reference Jay is quoting is a much longer section, the first 4 lines. But the first line of UGK is also Slick Rick. So much history in one line 🔥
S.o to Andrew Scheps for the AMAZING job he did on the mix of this song. super clean and polished while still being loud abrasive and in your face...
love your videos fam 🙏
Great Episode again!
I always felt like that "once upon a time" qoute was referencing SlickRick....
It's always impressive watching you remake the beat live. It adds such a richness to the videos, man.
Great stuff
Back to the old you... I love it when you have this great content. Great video.
LETS GOOOOOOOO!!!!! Gonna watch this and then go work!!! Perfect combo
The once upon a time not long ago. Was prolly a refrence to slick ricks children's story
Great video of this dope song 👊
Thank you for your perfect breakdown and explaining the classics to the new generation like this. Great video 💯💯💯
Black Sheep weren't referencing the Roger Miller song - which was something they almost certainly had no familiarity with; rather, the "engine, engine number nine" chant is from a common elementary-school/playground rhyme, often used in jump-rope games, etc.
I had that same thought when he referenced it...clearly, Dres was pulling from the kids song. I went back and checked the Roger Miller song...lyrically, the first couple of lines are generally the same as the kids version (which also varies lyrically depending on where you grew up...words have a way of changing in the translation)....which begs the question...which came first, the Miller record or the kid song??? I couldn't find any definitive answer out there.
Nice work, again!
It was also a huge hit for Ice T. Am I right? Yes or yes? People still giving credit to Jay for Ice Ts song.
Hov should have give Ice T credit but come on, a phrase don't make a full song
@@Bronn92 ask any rapper if a chorus makes the song. Verses don’t even have to be good. A phrase can be the entire reason a song exists.
@@Bronn92I respectfully disagree! Think about all of the songs you hear that were phrases you heard on the street or at home.
ITS FINALLY HERE 🙌
It was a sweat tune. He should've given Ice-T his props though. Seen Ice-T in an interview saying Jay-Z didn't reach out or give him any credit at all. That's pretty sour. The verses might be different but all the old skool heads I know were immediately thinking Ice-T when Jay Z dropped the song. The chorus hook is unmistakable. Good vid as always though.
Till today I don't understand how could it be considered Jay-Z's song...
Because a 2 bar chorus doesn't determine the fate of an entire song....
@@yanceyboyz You are right. The vid actually explained it very well. Still, I feel like Ice-T should have received more credit.
@@yanceyboyz and that’s how Jay convinces people that he’s the greatest while biting rappers for 90% of what he spits. Then he says he doses it better
@@keenkingjames I’m sure I’ll get flame for this but I think Jay Z is the most overrated rapper of all time. GOOAT if you will, lol
I love these! I was wondering if you could ever do a dissection of Andre 3000’s music
engine no. 9 is also a deftones song lol
The quote "Once upon a time, not long ago ...", first comes from Slick Rick's "Children Story".
DAMN.. I wanted U2 breakdown the Ice T
Please please please 🙏
Fugees and The Score
It’s absolutely on the list 🔥
Yes!!!!
@@diggingthegreats YYYAAAAASSSSS!! It’s a top 5 album on my list 🔥🔥🔥
I got a few problems. But this video ain't one!
Great video, would you consider a video about Dangermouse and the Grey Album?
It was real eerie when I got the notification for your new video - I was right in mid-thought about Rick Rubin and all the artists he's produced... was listening to a random mix of favorite tracks and wondered why Tom Petty went so well on the heels of System Of A Down when I realized they were both produced by Rubin, and recorded in the same studio 😁 And I'm also reading his _fantastic_ new book, _The Creative Act,_ which has become like my personal bible to live by. Highly recommended!
He's always worked with the best, no matter the genre, from HipHop to heavy metal... his creative philosophy is very similar to John Frusciante's, which isn't surprising considering their close working relationship.
Keep up the great work! The energy of "99 Problems", and its brilliant video, is the essence of HipHop, imo.
Just started his book as well! So great
What blows my mind is Rick Rubin has zero music theory knowledge and has no idea how any of the hardware works he just literally knows what sounds good.
One of my fav Rubin stories is when Ye gave him like 3 hours of the most random sounds ever and told him to make it sound like hip hop for Yeezus.
the once upon a time not too long ago line was said by slick rick in childrens story before ugk no?
You missed another LL reference: the hook is absolutely derived from MY RHYME AIN'T DONE. "That story is over but my rhyme ain't done."
Give this man a TV show! 😂
Crazy how did Rick Ruben ever put this all together? Sick.
Best channel on youtube
🙏🙏
to me the greatest part of this story is that Rick Rubin is briefly in the 99 Problems music video in the front seat of Jay-Z's car as he is pulled over
Fuck man, seeing you recreate beats is so helpful. Would you ever do a video on how you actually recreate them, your process? Do you look for the stems, talk to people involved, or just try to listen and figure it out like that? I'm trying to up my production game, and theft/recreation is the foundation of learning.
The late Duane Allman is rumoured to have played guitar with Wilson Pickett and the band. Ice T is to have, actually composed the song with one of the members of the 2 Live Crew...Great set and concept...Thanks.
Isn't "once upon a time, not too long ago" from Slick Rick's "Children's Story"?
Love, love LOVE ❤️ What u do, my Bro!! Thank you for caring 🎶 and sharing ✨✊🏽
🙏🙏
If you remember the old Rapp Style commercials, Wilson Pickett's beat from "Engine Engine No. 9" was sampling as well to sell Public Enemy's clothing.
Got that same desk at tha studio!!!!!
Enjoy Namm! Wish I wasn't working now or id definitely come. ✌️
Is Brother Marque going to get credit finally? 2 Live Crew? Shake a Lil Somthing?
Unfortunately it's been a battle
The guitar noise OG.
Rick Rubin was crazy for the production of this track. Jay-Z's lyricism was both confusing, astounding, and frustrating at the same time; and this song blew my mind because it agitated me.
Another great video, really enjoying your work and the way you tell stories while also providing music theory education and history! After watching this and your Beatles one, I can only hope/dream there might be a Grey Album one in the works? 😉🙏
Mannnn if I get can around the RUclips copyright issues… absolutely 🔥
Another great vid.. if you start a patreon I'm in
I love these Friday agy drops... Get done with work and zone out to a Diggin'the Greats video to move into the weekend.
Ice T said recently him and Jay Z talked out about Ice "being upset with Hov" at the Grammys this year. Cool to hear they both shared the respect they have for each other with each other, but Ice said Jay could've shouted him out or something🤣
Trick Daddy had a track called 99 Problems on Thugs R Us in 2001. Pretty good if anyone hasn’t heard it, definitely a direct tribute to Ice-T and Brother Marquis’s version.
Didn't even know that warp changes the tempo without changing the tone.. thankx
I always thought that Jay-Z's Girls Girls Girls was lyrically inspired by Ice-T's 99 Problems as well.
Rodgers Miller is a legend and that's besides all his Grammy facts im glad to always learn something new about my favorites from the past
Man, he mentioned the Big Beat sample from Billy Squier and doesn't mention UTFO's Roxanne, Roxanne produced by Full Force??! Why is that?? They weren't as big as other rap acts but were foundational to move hip hop along in 1984
I would love for you to do a whole video about the “ Boom Bap “ era in hip hop then the G-Funk era 🙏🏾🙏🏾
I heard Rick Rubin has a new book out ... I wonder if it’s any good?
Heard good things about it. Watched an interview with him and Huberman just today talking about the book, creative process etc
I love the breakdowns of the music and lyrics. But that second verse, that I didn't know and couldn't believe. 😂
I love your channel bro. You should do more Kanye and Jay-Z or even the guy in my pfp
Didn't know you play the MPC. What model?
“Once upon a time not long ago” is SLICK RICK Children’s Story not UGK.
Absolutely killer video as usual ! Could you talk about Jurassic 5 at some point ? They’re both incredible and very underrated
Amazing
whats the beat at the start
Good track
I'm pretty sure the "once upon a time..." line was an allusion to slick rick's "children story".
Another 👑
ICE-T
Jay sampled older lyrics the way a producer will sample old songs. I never thought about this song like that before, and although I always loved the track, I always assumed he just biting lyrics.. I do think in previous jay songs he really does rip alotta biggie lines, and honestly if you're rhymin off the top of your head all the time, you're gonna end up biting the styles you listen to the most. but this song in particular when it came out got me chasing samples and listening to original music I never would have found. great vid btw.
Just realised the second song was also sampled by Foster the People 😅
Oh Ice-T's remake...I get it..Swagger Jacker Jay-Z at it again
The Black Album is one of the best produced albums of all time, another great video!
Agreed 🔥 such a great album
The guitar actually doesn’t come from the Billy Squier song. I’ve known the real sample for years, but have kept to myself. Perhaps I will submit it to whosampled soon, but it’ll likely get rejected. They’re known to reject submissions that could result in the suing of their protected artists/producers. I’d reveal it for money though.
I only heard the original version of 99 problems once. Sounded weird. I'm usually listening to the Danger Mouse version.
Amen Break Story would be good influenced so many Genres N Half hmm Quarter made some
Speaking of Rick Rubin, everyone who's serious about music, should check out his recent interview with George Clinton. An incredible document with only one defect: it is way too short.
billy squier should send rick rubin a present every year for all the money rick has made him by sampling his music,. billy should be in the hip hop hall of fame just because how iconic the big beat is
Full Force got him paid with Roxanne, Roxanne
@@janconner2087 those early years 80-85 it was the wild west rappers would just sample whatever they wanted without asking or paying it was around 1986 the lawyers got involved didnt biz markie have his entire album pulled from stores because he sampled alone naturally by gilbert osullivan even after he denied biz request to use song?i think that was around 1991
@@bb-gc2tx the laws regarding sampling wasn’t clear in the early days, which opened the door to the sample clearance market. What happened to Biz, Beastie Boys and others was copyright infringement cases. With Full Force, being that they were also musicians before becoming producers, they took the time to include Squier in the credits
@@janconner2087 squier must have great lawyers he actually got half the songwriting credit on alicia keys hit girl on fire just for her using the big beat he is earning serious mail box money just looked it up hes worth 70 million on another note if you havent seen it yet watch the new documentry on biz it was incredible
That was Ice T's song!
Its also a Ice T song, still is funny that 80s rick rubin is hip hop, and, Slayer and Danzig, which is really funny, just odd to think about the fact Rick Rubin produced Mother and Its Tricky two of the best songs of the 80s
the NWA song he speaks of is: Straight Outta Compton
Dax just released a Rick Ruben interview on his podcast, The Armchair Expert, if anyone’s interested.
The "99 Problem " impact. This song was huge when it came out. Thanks you for this analysis
Pumping guys like jay z and rick rubin up for songs like this is the exact reason rap has become what it is now...