The purpose of this task is to research the
relationship between postmodern elements and music, focusing on the artist MADLIB or
by his birth name Otis Jackson Jr.
"Madlib,
aka Beat Konducta (born Madlib the Bad Kid 1922-1993) was an American comedian
best known for his starring role on the television sitcom Quasimoto and
Son. He was 3/4 African-American and 1/4 Blazed."
Homage
Does your chosen
artist use other people’s music in a respectful way? Are they bringing a
Quasimoto's (Madlibs
cartoon alter ego) debut album 'The Unseen' contained the track 'Jazz Cats Pt.1' and is Madlib's way of paying
homage or tribute to a numerous amount of Jazz artists who have influenced
him.
'You don't have to be a jazz elitist to be
suspicious of a collection of soul standards reinterpreted by a self-taught
drummer/loop digger.' Click the link to read a
review for Yesterdays New Quintet, a 'band' put together by Madlib and their
release 'Stevie' a remix of Hip Hop and Jazz & ultimately a
instrumental tribute Stevie Wonder in which a number of his own songs are
remixed by YNQ.
'Good Morning Sunshine' Is just one
example amongst many a release from Madlib paying homage to his favourite
Jazz artists in which he samples the artist themselves on the record. In
this particular case, Melvin Van Peebles 'Good Morning Sunshine' is sampled as
again Quasimoto raps over the beat.
'Beat Konducta' J
Dilla Tribute. (Click Picture for link)
Bricolage
The Mad March - A tribute
to Zamrock. A one off show in san Francisco in which Madlib pays homage to the
70's Rock scene in Zambia dubbed 'Zamrock'.
Madlib - Hip Hop,
Jazz, Rock (Zamrock).
The Medicine Show - 'His latest project, a
monster of ambition in 13 parts, shows that Madlib is as much Midas as he is
Leonardo – and a true postmodern virtuoso.'
Intertextual
References
The vinyl release of 'Beat Konducta Vol. 5 -6: A
Tribute To..' is an obvious reference to J Dilla's 'Donuts' visually.
Again in the track
Jazz Cats Pt.1 Madlib references a lot of his influences through literally
rapping their names over a beat - an obvious reference to the artist through
his lyrics. For the song he also samples Cannonball Adderley 'Eye Of The
Cosmos'.
For a complete list
of who exactly Madlib has sampled throughout his career and across all of the
records his has had a hand in producing, visit - http://www.whosampled.com/Madlib/
Simulacrum
Is your artist ‘real’ or merely playing a ‘character’?
For many ‘mainstream’ artists, their image is just as important as their sound
(if not more so), postmodern artists play with ideas of image in the way they
re represent themselves.
Que
Quasimoto - Madlib's cartoon alter ego. 'Quasimoto’s never been seen in the
same room with anyone – he’s The Unseen.' Madlib
does not like the sound of his own voice over his beats, so slowed his recorded
raps down and created Quasimoto, the cartoon character that sounds like no
over.
Madlib Associated Acts: Madvillian, Jaylib, Lootpack, Quasimoto, Yesterdays New Quintet, Freddie Gibbs, Strong Arm Ready. Consumption
How does your chosen artist wish their music to be consumed? Is there an artefact (object) that accompanies their music?
Madlib has been involved in 50+ physical releases:
- Vinyl (12" Inch)
- Physical CD Release
- Cassette Release (Beat Konducta, Lord Quas)
- Online Streaming
- MP3 Download
Official Discography
Creation
How does your artist create their music, are they a musician, a songwriter, a composer.
Madlib has described
himself as a "DJ first, producer second, and MC last"
Self Produced EP's - Madlib Invazion, WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip, The Unseen, Yessir Whatever, The Further Adventures Of Lord Quas, Beat Konducta Vol. 0 through to 6, Medicine Show #1 - #13, Rock Konducta Vol.1 amongst others.
Madlib produces or creates a beat, and then hands it to another artist or MC who then provide the audio or lyrics over the Madlib produced beat.
Madlib produces or creates a beat, and then hands it to another artist or MC who then provide the audio or lyrics over the Madlib produced beat.
