Chipmunk Soul Rap
tagStarted 2001Peak 2003-2007Last big hit still active
Located in 1 route
Soul and R&B records from the '60s-'70s pitched up and sped into squeaky, helium-bright vocal loops - the 'chipmunk' yelp - chopped over crisp boom-bap drums and warm bass. Vinyl crackle, gospel-tinged ad-libs and triumphant horn stabs give it euphoric, sunlit lift; the sample sings the hook while the rapper rides underneath.
History
Pioneered by RZA and refined by Just Blaze, the sped-up vocal technique exploded into the mainstream through Kanye West's early production for Jay-Z's 'The Blueprint' (2001) and his own 'The College Dropout' (2004). 'Through the Wire,' built on a pitched Chaka Khan sample, became its signature. The sound defined mid-2000s Roc-A-Fella-era rap before West moved on.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chipmunk_soul
- https://daily.redbullmusicacademy.com/2018/08/chipmunk-soul/
- https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/680197-chipmunk-soul-songs