On Demand
O.G.'s Down With the I.S.O.
Rapper and actor Ice-T is set to perform tonight with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. In the performance, he will narrate "Ask Your Mama: Twelve Moods for Jazz," a poem from the 1960s by Langston Hughes. And while an ISO performance of Ice-T's classic album "O.G.: Original Gangster" is not on the program, tonight is not the first time classical music has backed an MC. We talk with writer Jayson Greene
Our blog: John Schaefer at the crossroads of hip hop and classical
"Top Ten Classical-Music Samples in Hip Hop" by Jason Greene
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Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, stars of the romantic indie film Once, will debate which is more powerful: a love song or a breakup song. And: live music from Grammy winning violinist Joshua Bell and Cuban stars Tiempo Libre.
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It's worth noting that Ice T has always made connections between different genres of music -- to the benefit of hip hop as a whole. His song Cop Killer was from his metal band, Body Count not his rap music. Also, he's made comments that connect the cultural roots and social functions of country music and hip-hop.
correction: Jay-Z's song "30 Something" was about him "defending himself" because he is about to turn 40 next year and not coz he just turned 30.
Maestro Fresh Wes.
"Symphony in Effect"
Even the album cover has him dressed as a, well... maestro.
Africa Bombatta the first rap ever is him simply singing over a Kraftwerk song. Kraftwerk is very classical, therefore rap comes from Germany and the Classical genre to begin with.
Rap never admits this?
Dave
Not quite hip-hop, but appropriation anyway:
the Gorillaz' Left Hand Suzuki Method
I think it will be interesting to see how arts presenters will use this fusion. If the audience of hip hop reflects multi-generational and multicultural consumers, then wouldn't the same apply to arts institutions?
Who needs more audience participation? As a classical clarinetist, I hope the new era of fusion is fast approaching. I, like many other classical musicians, need jobs.
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