SOP # 79 - 808 @ Havana Heartbreak

If the music or video does not play, even after a pause, try reloading your page.

Artist: Bob Tozier
School: North Allegheny

Notes:

In Camila Cabello's "Havana" we hear both her Cuban roots and the modern sounds of Atlanta. Though the singer and featured guest Young Thug reference these two geographic identities, the song says so much more through its core musical elements. A Roland TR-808 kick drum evokes an entire repertoire of Atlanta Hip Hop, while the track's supporting piano montuno descends from a Cuban style lamenting the loss of one's traditional home.

Also in this episode, we discuss Cabello's unlikely path to number one with writer Hannah Steinkopf-Frank - and the musical glass ceiling that holds so many young women artists back.

2:00 - Rise of Girl Groups

7:00 - 808 Drums, Marvin Gaye, Hip Hop Today

8:45 - 1995 and "Always Be My Baby"

9:26 - OutKast

10:13 - Changing Pitches in Havana

11:00 - Pitched Kick Drums and 808's

14:00 - Piano and Cuba

16:30 - Tres and Son, very rhythmic

28:00 - Phil Specter

30:00 - Girl Sound

32:00 - Gender Defination

35:00 - Gir Groups - Spice Girls (most successful)

38:00 - Girl Group Origins

39:0 - Reality TV and Lyrics

Comments

Anthony Hockenberry from: North Allegheny - posted: April 4, 2018
808 drums are so common in pop music. When I open garageband it is often one of the first things I go to. Intresting how this one drum machine is so popular today

Natalie Daninhirsch from: North Allegheny - posted: April 5, 2018
It's really interesting to discuss the difference in the popularity of girl groups and boy bands. Even with singular female artists vs solo male artists, there seems to be much more simplicity in rising to stardom with men then women. When you watch women perform solo in concert or with their groups, they're dressed in risque attire, or clad in glamorous, sparkling outfits, painted in makeup and heels 6 inches high. When you watch rappers or men in concerts, they're often in sweats, simple clothing, no makeup, hair messed or in a hat. Why are there such high standards for the way female artists present themselves and are often called out when they aren't dressed to the nines, whereas male artists are not held to nearly the same standard? It's harder for them to get popular or to attract positive media attention. It's a really interesting discussion that I think dates back to years of sexism.

Maria Constantine from: North Allegheny - posted: April 5, 2018
Camila Cabello's uses a lot of musical devices we've talked about. She uses her personal geograpic background, kick drums, and a really snazzy rythm. She uses the rythm to bring listeners in and get them hooked.

Shane Stewart from: North Allegheny - posted: April 5, 2018
The tuned kick thing really is such a common sound; it is so easy to overlook or think of as normal just because we hear it so much. It was very interesting to hear its origin story.

Angela Lu from: North Allegheny - posted: April 5, 2018
It's interesting to learn about when and how girl groups started and what challenges they faced early on. I liked how the podcast also included how these singers developed a specific girl group sound.

Yosen Wang from: North Allegheny - posted: April 6, 2018
I think it's intriguing how pioneer girl groups such as the Spice Girls have paved the way for more modern kpop groups such as 2NE1.

Eugenia Lee from: North Allegheny - posted: April 6, 2018
I thought that the discussion of pitched kick drums on the 808 is really cool and adds a new dimension to so many more songs than I realized. It was interesting to see the difference that the pitched drums made compared to the normals ones too.

June Bracken from: North Allegheny - posted: April 6, 2018
I enjoyed this switched on pop and how they talked about the evolution of music groups. It was also interesting to hear about how common the 808 is.

Maeve Smith from: North Allegheny - posted: April 6, 2018
It was really cool to see how much Camila Cabello's background shaped her music. I like how her heritage had an impact on her music and style and that it helps her be successful. I also like how the podcast touched on the struggle of girl groups and how they get past the barriers they face int he industry.

Amy Muhlenkamp from: North Allegheny - posted: April 6, 2018
I like how Havana mixes two different types of styles. In Black Panther, there was a lot of traditional African music mixed with modern beats. I liked both styles separately but when they are put together, they are even better. I'd like to see more music like this.

Jason Ginocchi from: North Allegheny - posted: April 6, 2018
Its really cool that there is a specific drum thats become so popular in music and that ive never noticed how its in so many songs that ive heard.