Fieldwork Project

Vincent Palafox

University of Maryland University College

 Fieldwork Research Questions

1. As Soul musicians, how has Hip-Hop influenced your creative process for writing?

Hip-Hop and Soul are very close to each other in terms of musical composition and feeling. Soul

derived from Jazz and Hip-Hop often times sampled many Jazz records so they both work hand

in hand with each other. For writing, I like to listen to the way Hip-Hop producers sampled

certain piano samples and rearrange their chords. That gives you a different perspective on

certain chord progressions and what could happen if you sequence them in various arrangements.

2. Hip Hop is a combination of five different elements: Rapping, Graffiti, DJing, B-

Boying, and Knowledge. Which element do you recall being exposed to first and how did

it impact you and your lifestyle?

Rapping was the first element of Hip-Hop I was exposed to. It was a different kind of poetry for

me. The way some rappers rhymed certain words or phrases, I could not comprehend how they

were doing it. Even though most rappers embodied the gangster image, groups like the Wu-Tang

Clan based their music around vintage Kung-Fu movies, which I was a fan of. They definitely

broke the perception of not all rappers are gangbangers.

3. As music continues to evolve, how would you compare the musical composition of Hip-

Hop today to Hip-Hop in the 1990s?

Music and its culture are continuing to evolve as time progresses. In the 1990s, many Hip-Hop

producers strictly sampled their beats and rappers had meaning to their lyrics. They told stories

of what was happening in their neighborhood and to the people around them. Looking at what

Hip-Hop is today, the beats comprise of complex programmed drums and heavy bass lines. Most

songs are made with the intention of being played at the clubs or house parties, so their lyrics are
a lot simpler. Although 1990s Hip-Hop had more substance, Hip-Hop today fits what the culture

has evolved to now and will only continue to grow.

 Record of Observation

For the past few weeks, I observed two of my coworkers, Christian and Reilly, who held

jam sessions in their garage every weekend. Both of them shared similar musical interests in

Soul, R&B, and Hip-Hop. Christians main instrument of choice was the saxophone, while

Reilly played the guitar. Together, they would cover many R&B songs like Just Friends by

Musiq Soulchild or Bag Lady by Erykah Badu. Reilly had a loop pedal for his guitar, so he

would loop a melody and play a lead over it. Christian would also play a lead as well or play the

vocals on his saxophone. When it came to just jamming out, Reilly would play a couple of Neo-

Soul chord progressions and Christian would back him up. They always would feed off of each

other and find good grooves and pockets. Jam sessions like that would last for 2-3 hours and it

was just a good time.

 Interview Transcript

1. Who or what influenced you to choose your instrument?

C: Kenny G, Nelson Rangell, and The Rippingtons inspired me to pick up the Alto and Soprano

Saxophones.

R: Ever since I can remember my family has kept music a big part of their lives. My Uncle Nick

and Aunt Sheila really gave me the courage to take up an instrument. They were always

practicing for their band in the basement of their Chicago home. The drums were my first

instrument but the guitar is where I found myself as a musician. I saw that music allowed my

Uncle and Aunt to express themselves at their truest form and as a kid I wanted to be just like

them.

2. What best describes your approach to creating music?

C: Coming from a Jazz background, I create music from moods. I try to capture a moment or

feeling and organize them into a melody. The music comes before the lyrics for me. There are

some people that see colors when they hear sounds. I want someone to understand the story Im

trying to tell from the musical painting I produce without lyrics.

R: I think the best way for me to approach music is just to get out there. Everything will just

come to you as you play along. Music is all about feel and timing. Relax and let your soul do the

playing for you.

3. How do you get out of writers block?

C: Whenever I get writers block, I think about an important moment in my or someones life

and I just try to sing/hum it. I attempt to express it in the most raw and instant way. Doing this

usually helps me get back to creating songs. I just attempt it from someone elses viewpoint.
R: Getting out of writer's block for me is just staying patient and having faith that it will come to

you. Sometimes I will take a break, make some coffee and focus on something else for a bit.

Also, I think that sometimes I can catch myself trying to make it way more complicated then it

needs to be. So keeping it simple sometimes goes a long way and when the block is over, you'll

have something to build off of.

 Bibliography

GONZALES, M. A. (2017). 90s TILL INFINITY: LEADERS OF THE NEW SCHOOL.

Ebony, 72(8), 90.

Hip-hop. (2016). Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, 1p. 1.

Simon, S. (2003, March 01). Hip Hop: Today's Civil Rights Movement? Retrieved July 16,

2017, from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1178621

Soul music. (n.d.). Retrieved July 16, 2017, from

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Soul_music

(n.d.). Retrieved July 16, 2017, from

https://www.globaldarkness.com/articles/roots_of_hiphop.htm

Soul music. (2016). Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, 1p. 1.