By: Catherine Keithley
Happy Fat Tuesday!
Well... Happy Ash Wednesday really...
As we embark on yet another Mardi gras celebration it is important to understand what Mardi gras is about. No, not the sinful opportunities that are sprung upon us before the day of Ash Wednesday but the opportunities of looking at the history of New Orleans' musical influence on hip hop today in the mainstream world. Hip hop mixes multiple synchronized beats together creating a feel good music result.
New Orleans is famous for two things... gumbo and blues music. I believe the key to delicious gumbo is about layering on spices, slow cooking, and fresh ingredients. Blues music in New Orleans is similar to its gumbo. Just like the layering of spices in gumbo, blues music layers itself throughout hip hop, jazz, and even electronic music. Blues music is about the cultural experiences of sorrow and struggles during the slavery era, however, Mardi gras music is very different from the Blues music. Mardi gras music originates from the Indian culture with tribal chants and drumming influences.
Huey "Piano" Smith's 1958 release of "Don't You Know Yockomo"
During the early 1950's Indian music made its own niche in New Orleans. For every Carnival season there was a new collection of Indian music. From Sugar Boy Crawford's November 1953 checker recording "Jock-A-Mow," to Huey "Piano" Smith's 1958 release of "Don't You Know Yockomo" all include some references to Indian music and culture. With the tribal beats of Indian music being added into blues and jazz music in the Creole culture of New Orleans it is no wonder why hip hop music has changed their background beats to predominately electronic basses.
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