Bumpin' My Music
by RaptorsHQ - Archives on Oct 13, 2006 8:50 AM EDT
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PrintI remember the first time I saw it thinking "Ok, this is kinda funny for the pre-season, a good idea for the first few games to get the fans back into it."
I mean, here I was at the first home game of the Raptors' 2005-06 season, and on screen were the various players dancing to a looped rendition of Beyonce's "Crazy In Love!"
Admittedly, watching the likes of Matt Bonner, Hoffa and Loren Woods doing their best shuffles was amusing...the first time. Even the second and third times I still managed a wry grin.
However, my real expectation was for this joke to last no longer than the pre-season games...or maybe the first few home games...
...but once we got to game 20 and I was still being subjected to what was now akin to "Nature Trail From Hell in 3D..."
In anticipation of the November 3 home-opener vs. the Milwaukee Bucks, here at the HQ we've decided to postulate on a few reasonable options, and give a few main rules for the Raps in terms of choosing future theme songs.
1. No Pop Songs: Look...I know the cheerleaders love the Black Eyed Peas - but "Let's Get It Started" gets old really fast...No, choosing anything from the past three years that was a "pop hit" just isn't going to cut it. You think the players want to come out to "London Bridge?" At the same time, maybe they should stay away from too much classic Rock and songs from more than 20 years ago. Most of those classics (especially the metal ones like Paranoid etc) have been done to death and in terms of demographics - save'em the Leafs and Rock.
2. Build a Legacy: Sure, the Bulls warm-up song is a pretty spine-tingling choice of music to enter the game to...but that's why it's the Bulls' intro. The Raptors this year, in light of the rebirth of the franchise that Colangelo and co. are try to impress upon fans, should try to choose a track that will be unique to the Raptors and something that will remain the warmup music for years to come.
3. Song Dynamics: The next criteria we felt was important, were the characteristics of the song itself. The choice wouldn't have to be purely instrumental, but it should have a powerful instrumental beginning long enough for the player introductions. If need be, this instrumental could be looped continuously or let play in full. So while a song like Weezer's "Hash Pipe" or the Police's "Message in a Bottle" are both high energy songs, their intros just aren't long enough and didn't build the way you'd want a pre-game intro to build.
4. Pump it Up! Finally, above all else, the music's gotta have that certain allure that really sets the atmosphere and gets fans excited about the game to follow. That's what killed me about the "Crazy in Love" intro. How can fans (or players for that matter) get psyched for a game when the game intro amounts to a joke? And for the most part last season, that's the way I'm sure most of the league perceived the club.
So with these rules in place here are our top 10 or so songs we were considering in no particular order:
1. "Raise It Up" - Slum Village - This was the first song to meet all of our criteria. It's a bit underground, but a slamming hip-hop track with a hype beat that builds as the song progresses. It also could be easily looped at the intro with the "Raise it Up" chants fitting in perfectly with the inevitable Chris Bosh, Mo Pete chest bumps.
2. "Visions (skit)" - Afu-Ra/"Boom" - Royce The 5-9 - Both of these songs were included as one entry as both were produced by the one and only DJ Premier. In fact, you could slate a number of other tracks he's produced in here as entries as well because of their "loopability." But "Boom" would really be a fire-starter at the ACC. Besides the bomb sound-effect opening (after which Herbie could yell "Ladies and Gentlemen..." to kick things off) and high-energy feel, it's a track that wouldn't sound played out in a year...after all, it's already over four years old.
3. "Cannonball" - The Breeders - Here's an indie rock gem that also meets our demands. Great guitar-driven intro that builds to a frantic finale, "Cannonball" was used in a car commercial a few years back but is definitely no "pop classic." The only concern for us would be how to extend that intro as long as possible...
4. "Here I Come" - The Roots/ "E=MC2" - Common and JayDee - Here are two more we've lumped together. Neither has the same producer (although the artists do travel in the same circles) but both are quite new releases which will never see a Billboard chart. However that doesn't mean they wouldn't be perfect choices. From the "Get up, get up" chant of Common prior to an ovation enducing beat courtesy of Jay Dee (RIP) in "E=MC2," to the "this beat makes me want to bench press three plates" cadence of "Here I Come," both songs would definitely encourage body-numbing chest bumps from the players. Do they have "stayability?" Perhaps not...but they're certainly no "Crazy In Love."
5. Jay-Z - Various tracks - Here's an artist who we couldn't just pick one song from. From the fantastic looped horn arrangements on "U Don't Know" and "1-900 Hustler," to the simply neck snapping beats of "Change the Game," and "Dirt Off Your Shoulder" to the spine tingling intros to "Encore," HOVA had us rooting through his entire collection. In fact after the Beyonce fiasco last year, Howland and I were endorsing an immediate change to the Jay-Z/Linkin Park collabo version of Encore. It's got a great build even as just an instrumental, and has that opulent sound present in most other epic warm-up tracks.
But perhaps the one song that stood out from the rest of the Jay-Z options was a lessor known track called "Come and Get Me." This was one of the first collabos between Jay and Timbaland and a minute into the song, transforms into a ridiculous instrumental funk track - perfect for crowd hyping and dunk montage accompanyment.
5. "Like Eating Glass"/"Helicopter" - Bloc Party - Bloc Party's debut album is considered a modern classic and the first two tracks off of it could equally be effective as warm-up options. Take one listen to the frantic drums of "Like Eating Glass" and the searing guitars of "Helicopter" and even in pure instrumental form either would cause pure hysteria.
8. "Right Here, Right Now" - Fatboy Slim - This isn't my favourite song of all time nor is it completely original in use but it is perhaps the most "epic" sounding on our list. Great build, purely instrumental, envigorating and no looping required due to its intro length. I guess you could call this our "Safe Pick" of the list.
9. The Neptunes - Various tracks - My favourite producers of all time consistently create top hits for the highest bidder. But besides crafting club classics the duo also have a signature sound that lends itself to being used vocal-less. "Southern Hospitality," "Grindin," "Holla Back Youngin'," "What It Is Right Now" - all have great instrumentals which could easily be looped to create a bangin' intro for the Raps. Some of these may have been a bit too popular and recent to be used but what about using the Neptunes' first classic beat - "Superthug" for Noreaga? With its wicked guitar riff and pounding bass line this could be a Raptors' staple for seasons to come.
10. Lucky Pressure - Roni Size - Our lone drum and bass choice...but maybe my favourite track on our list. An epic intro starts the song off before building to a furious peak when the double-time drums crash in. It would need to be extended a bit to get full use of the symphonic beginning but overall I think this would be the spine-tingling game-starter this team needs.
So which of these would we pick in the end?
It's too close to call. In fact we also looked at tons of other choices that just barely missed our final 10 cut. Some examples are:
Fool's Gold (Grooverider Remix) - The Stone Roses
Hard to Explain - The Strokes
Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat) - Digable Planets
Jacqueline - Franz Ferdinand
D&D Soundclash/ - Smiff'n Wessun
Numb - U2
Definition - Mos Def & Talib Kweli
Can I Kick It? - A Tribe Called Quest
Ballerz Remix - RAM Squad
Perhaps the best idea would be to start from scratch.
If the Raptors are really bent on creating a new identity perhaps they should get a local artist (the name Kardinal Offishal comes to mind) to create something exclusively for the team? Or a merging of various songs could work as well. Imagine the classic G Funk Intro "Like We Always Do About This Time....Yeeeeeeeeeeeah" followed by a looping of Edge's guitar from U2's "Mysterious Ways?"
Unfortunately I have little faith in the Raptors in-game staff putting together anything resembling our choices above. Instead, fans will probably be treated to an opening intro montage set to the likes of Jessica Simpson or Mr. Timberlake...
I just hope Andrea Bargnani is ready to "Bring Sexy Back..."
FRANCHISE
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i've been waiting for this article for awhile. really like the slum village choice and the roots choice (love the live version from block party). personally, i think it's funk or nothing. kashmere stage band. nuff said. "all praises". "zero point" (lp version). having kardinal do a song/chant would trump anything. "husslin'" funkified?
where can i send you guys the tracks?
http://www.stonesthrow.com/nowagain/kashmere/index.html
by dileroscoe on Oct 11, 2006 3:34 PM EDT reply actions
It's is high time someone addressed the shame that was the “Beyonce montage intro†from last year. You are correct, funny at first, nauseating by then end of the first month of the season and excruciatingly embarrassing when paired with a 1 and 15 start!!
I know this is a bit “popy†but how about T.I.’s “What you know†instrumental? With the lights turned off and the pyrotechnics it would definitely be intense.
by Chew on Oct 11, 2006 4:18 PM EDT reply actions
wait a minute... did you ever consider that the raptors franchise gets money to playthe beyonce song every game?
do you think that they play the mcdonald's 'iam loving it' jingle after every three pointer because it sounds cool?
basketball is the sport of choice for yuppies right now. this doesn't mean that we are yuppies, but the greater fanbase is.
by dkmo on Oct 11, 2006 9:27 PM EDT reply actions
Sorry dkmo....you are way off with the Beyonce...they would be paying her royalties to play the song. You are right about the McD's part though, that is only played because Ronald McDonald is paying for it.
by RaptorsHQ Staff on Oct 11, 2006 10:06 PM EDT reply actions
I was at the game... They reverted back to the old dinos-playing-bball-against-cityscape montage from past years. Hopefully something new (and non-cheesy) is in the works for the start of the regular season!
Also, did anyone watch the game on TV? I'm not sure if it would have been visible, but centre court looked pretty bad.
They replaced the old Raptors/Dino logo on centre court with a big black basketball-claw logo, which is good, except that they didn't replace the whole floor, just the centre part, and the wood-stain is a bit lighter. So around the black bball-claw is a lighter-wood splotch vaguely in the shape of the old Raptors/Dino logo, with a slightly darker stain to the hardwood around that splotch.
I noticed it watching the highlights on TV tonight, but possibly only because I knew it was there having been there in person. Not sure if it would have been noticeable in non-high-def TV if one didn't know to look for it.
by MattK on Oct 11, 2006 11:54 PM EDT reply actions
On a side note, if Allan Ray makes the Celtics, would it be the first time in history that two players, in the same sports league or even in different ones, had "reverse" names (i.e. Allan Ray / Ray Allen, spelling aside)?
My friend and I were musing about that during the game and I couldn't come up with any other similar examples. :)
by MattK on Oct 11, 2006 11:56 PM EDT reply actions
It really wasn't Beyonce that y'all were hearing but what Crazy in Love sampled from: "Are You My Woman" by the Chi-Lites. (Go download it and see/hear) which really made the raps in hindsight seem even more wussy like.
As a former DJ, I've actually thought about this in the past:
Nine Inch Nails: Closer (Intro)
Cardigans: Favourite Game
White Stripes: Blue Orchid
S'Express: Theme from S'Express
Armand Van Helden: Sugar is Sweeter
Fatboy Slim: Jin Go Lo Ba (Just the intro bars) then mix to something else
The Streets: You're fit but you know it (Just the guitar bars)
Chemical Brothers: Out of Control
Stevie Wonder: Superstition
What about personal entrance music? Or songs at certain times?
The Clash- Spanish Bombs for Jose and Garbs?
Somone misses a rotation Will Smith: Switch?
oh and PS, the Bulls theme song is the Alan Parsons Project: Sirus (Eye in the Sky)
by Ustat on Oct 12, 2006 12:09 AM EDT reply actions
I watched the game on RaptorsTV last night (boy those Fox guys from New England are biased bastards!!!) and the center court did look horrible. It looks like they tried to cover something up - you can still see the outline of the old logo. They can do better - add some colour to that thing.
On a side note - man I am really going to like this team. They are deep. Is there a team in the NBA with a better bench at the moment? Bold prediction - Raps bench is the top scoring bench in the NBA this season.
I love Bargnani and Garbajosa chucking the three's ... and Anthony Parker will be a solid defender as well on the perimeter. Calderon looks good - but Rondo could walk by him anytime he wanted. I'd be more worried about that then the shooting.
This should be quite the season .... still undefeated!!!!
by utes on Oct 12, 2006 9:30 AM EDT reply actions
None of these beat the all time best (and cheesiest) basketball song:
"Roundball Rock" by John Tesh -- the old NBA on NBC theme
Unfortunately, I can see this getting the crowd going.
by BC on Oct 12, 2006 10:22 AM EDT reply actions
The Chronic (Intro)....sure there may be reasons why you wouldn't pick this, but is there a more bangin' intro.
"Like we always do about this time...HAHA!" and then the classic g-funk beat kicks in.
Just one time, Rappies, just one time...
by Chapman on Oct 12, 2006 10:55 AM EDT reply actions
In a perfect world my Raps would use the mixtape I made for the Erindale Raiders circa 93-94. A little Can't Trust It by Public Enemy followed by some Really Doe (Ice Cube) and Act like you want it (Blackmoon) fired up the boys pretty good. I would have no problem throwing on some No Escapin This by the Beatnus either.
by Hoffa Stoppa on Oct 12, 2006 10:21 PM EDT reply actions
Man, some great suggestions, a number I forgot about too.
dileroscoe - Thanks for the link...Chapman and I are actually going to the Stones Throw anniversary bash here in Toronto so I'm anxious to check out the kashmere stuff.
Ustat - I think the intro actually was the Beyonce version because besides the horn loop they had the "uh oh uh oh uh oh etc..." in it. But in any event, yeah, weak. I played Favourite Game this morning to wake up...that would be a great choice too, forgot how hard the intro is...great build too. Out of Control, Superstition, Blue Orchid - also options I forgot about. I was considering Sugar is Sweeter and Closer actually when doing the list. And thanks for the Bulls theme name...couldn't remember it for the life of me.
Hoffa Stoppa - I was thinking of going the mixtape route too...in fact, once we get our re-designed site up next month, I'm hoping we can include an area with some of our readers intro music options that we can all test out. Maybe we'll get a petition going depending on how bad the intro is at the first home game...
by Franchise on Oct 13, 2006 10:19 AM EDT reply actions
i think the raps should incorporate the old 'django' sounds . they all look like actors in spaghetti westerns of clint eastwood especially garbajosa ! i hope they play as tough as they look !
by coach on Oct 13, 2006 11:52 AM EDT reply actions
Franchise: Yup, you're right it was actually Beyonce and not the Chi-lites even though it was the exact sample minus some mumbling by Beyonce.
What about "Basketball Jones featuring Tyrone Shoelaces" by Cheech and Chong? That was my favourite on the Dr. Demento show.
by Ustation on Oct 13, 2006 2:19 PM EDT reply actions
U Station...
In the words of Kramer: "You just blew my mind." Dr. Demento! I didn't know anyone else knew about that classic show! In fact, that's the show where Weird Al got his start, which is funny because I mentioned "Nature Trail to Hell in 3D," one of his lessor known songs, in this article.
Jokes!
Almost as much as TJ Ford's home-opener performance...if Marcus Williams starts schooling him too on Sunday, I'm gonna be a BIT concerned...
Sounds like we won't get to see Mr. Sore Ribs Vince though...anyone think the Nets will get out of the first round this year?
by Franchise on Oct 13, 2006 3:24 PM EDT reply actions
Other Dr. Demento/K-tel favs:
Fish heads (rollie pollie fish heads)
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Take the Skinhead's Bowling
and Canadian talents "Arrogant Worms" :
"Canada's Really Big"
"We Are the Beavers"
Yum!
by Ustat on Oct 14, 2006 12:14 AM EDT reply actions
hi.
While I like, Primo, Slum Village, Common, and Roots as much as the next guy, perhaps the tunes selected are a bit obscure. I mean Raise it Up.. I cant picture a a family man getting excited from that song (I am not even sure its a great slum village track).
Also, it doesnt do much for expanding basketball's image of only an urban sport. I thought crazy in love was a decent track because almost everyone likes it, and its high energy.
My selection for this year would be Franz Ferdinand "Take me Out". That song would definetly get people going and it appeals to a broad audience.
by theabstract on Oct 14, 2006 9:36 AM EDT reply actions
watcha gonna do by tupac
it has a really hard beat
by thafooz on Oct 14, 2006 11:15 AM EDT reply actions
anyone have the song "raise it up" by slum village?
by mlim on Oct 14, 2006 3:14 PM EDT reply actions
Abstract - Interesting points but I just think that songs that have already been "pop" ones get tired really fast.
And as an aside, I actually own that Beyonce album (some great production) and always liked Crazy in Love (especially Jay's "handle like Van Exel" verse) but I just think the combination of the cheesy montage and the song itself didn't lend itself to exactly an invigorating pre-game intro. But I see your point on the "broader appeal." That's why maybe the best choice would be a classic track like "Superstition" as UStat suggested, or something like Papa Was a Rolling Stone...although Watcha Gonna Do by Pac would definitely have me out of my seat!
PS - UStat - did you see the documentary on K-Tel last weekend on CTV...some classic stuff I had almost forgotten about...like Box Car Willie!
by Franchise on Oct 14, 2006 4:19 PM EDT reply actions
I just thought of another song.. touch the sky, Kanye.. its more relevant, has mass appeal..
by theabstract on Oct 14, 2006 5:03 PM EDT reply actions
100 degrees by fort minor OR numb/encore by jay-z / linkin park, good for the rock listeners and hip hop listeners
by 007 on Oct 14, 2006 8:34 PM EDT reply actions
How about Cum on Feel the Noize Quiet Riot stylee.
On August 27, 1983, Quiet Riot second single "Cum on Feel the Noize" / Run For Cover was released. Cum On Feel The Noize, a cover of the 1973 Slade hit, spent two weeks at #5 on the Billboard chart in November 1983. It was the first Heavy Metal song to make the Top 5 on Billboard's "Hot 100 singles chart" and it was the first of a string of Slade sound-alikes recorded by the group. The success of the single helped carry "Metal Health" to the top of Billboard Music Charts pop album charts, making it the first American heavy metal album to ever reach #1 in the USA.
by Poppa Vlazo on Oct 14, 2006 9:15 PM EDT reply actions
Man...we were at a the Loose Moose tonight and heard Cum on Feel the Noize...also heard "We're Not Gonna Take It"...talk about old school hair band rock anthems. Not sure I'd want either of them as an intro jam though ha ha. The Fort Minor option is solid 007, and as I was saying, the Numb/Encore track was one we were really pushing for a replacement to last year's ditty. And Kanye had a bunch of tracks in consideration. Bottom line is this discussion is one for the revamped site...hopefully we can samples of most of these posted so fans can really decide what they'd most like to hear.
by Franchise on Oct 15, 2006 1:36 AM EDT reply actions
Great stuff. My team was looking for a pre-game CD and my PG's choices were terrible. So, I think I'm going with a mix of the suggestions here. Anyone know why many of the songs are not on itunes? struggling to make the mix right now.
by B on Oct 15, 2006 9:21 AM EDT reply actions
I dunno, if they use Cum on Feel the Noize, then they can hand out mullets on Fan Appreciation night.
Any way we can skip the rest of October to get this season started? The wait is killing me and I (and many others) are placing far too much emphasis on pre-season. When the Vince-less Nets beat the Raps the sky will be falling.
by Poppa Vlazo on Oct 15, 2006 11:06 AM EDT reply actions
Noticed the Raps HQ response above. It's quite common for labels to "pay", or at least pay under the table, to have songs played at sport events. Other ways to "pay" is to do exclusive compilations with said team using songs played over the arena P.A., so that evey CD sold, the team gets a cut. Just like label payola getting their songs played on the radio.
by Acie on Oct 15, 2006 9:51 PM EDT reply actions
Wow.. the "Undefeated" Raps? ;) Maybe we should project 58 wins. (Kidding!)
Franch: Naw, I heard about the K-Tel Doc, but missed it. Now I'm going to have to search around for it, somehow I doubt that will make it on some torrent web site. :)
You can't use anything popular as a theme, it'd get tiring, quick and how! That's why the Bulls theme song works (Sirus), that's why the John William's Olympic theme work, Wrestling does a decent job at it, ABC's Monday Night Football (Hank Williams), Hockey Night... even the OK Blue Jay theme survived way longer than anyone could have expected.
Quiet Riot might work for Hockey.. dunno about hoops. I was at a season opener for the Canucks a few years back in Vancouver and they would Rammstein's Du Has. Niagara Thunder had AC/DC.
OK more thoughts and suggestions for the Raps:
LL Cool J: Mamma's Gonna Knock You Out
Lenny Kravitz: Are you going my way?
DJ Kool: Let me Clear my Throat (just the music sample)
NWA: Straight Outta Compton
Grandmaster Flash: Scratch Perverts (Sugar Hill's Rapper's Delight part to Another One bites the Dust to Good times)
Grandmaster Flash: The Roof is On Fire (also Chem. Bros. sample)
Afrikan Bambatta: Planet Rock (Paul Oakenfeld remix)
ok.. it's almost out of my system now.
by Ustat on Oct 15, 2006 10:54 PM EDT reply actions
Why? Why? WHYY the rock music? This is basketball people, not a leaf game.
"Closer" by NIN? Dude, this is a family environment. I'm not sure "I want to feel your funny insides" is gonna fly... and what does that have to do with Ball?
That said we don't live in compton so we can't get to thugged out, it still needs to be "poppy" enough to appeal to the masses. It has to BUILD to something bigger. It needs some sort of agression. But it also needs to be fun.
So far, the ones I think would be hype are.
LL Cool J: Mamma said knock you out!
Jay-Z: Encore (any version)
Jay-Z: Dirt of your shoulder
TI: What you know about that (instrumental)
Ludacris - GET BACK
Busta - Touch it (instrumental like on Raptor TV)
or if you wanna get different... like the bulls, this is more out there.
Massive Attack - Tear Drop Instrumental (House MD)
John Williams - Jurrasic Park Movie Intro (keeping with the dinosaur thing)
by jas on Oct 16, 2006 11:52 AM EDT reply actions
Sorry, I have to clarify, most of my suggestions would use only the instrumental parts of that song. You really don't want audible "talking/singing" pieces on top of the voice over of Herbie or else you can't make out clearly what he'd be saying, however much some would already say you can't understand what he's saying. :)
FYI: "Canada's hottest DJ crew, 4 KORNERS, are now a part of your Toronto Raptors Game Experience as the Official Toronto Raptors Soundcrew. 4 KORNERS Raptors Soundcrew members Kap' N Kirk & Short Sirkit, will be spinning tunes that appeal to all ages. You will find the 4 Corners Raptors Sound crew at Air Canada Centre in Section 116A at all Toronto Raptors home games. When Cap's Kirk & Short Sir kit step into their DJ booth, expect a high-energy game experience like no other!
For more information, log on to www.4KORNERS.com"
by ustation on Oct 16, 2006 3:17 PM EDT reply actions
You guys are all missing the obvious! We need to just let 4 Corners (the "Cs" stand for "completly condescending corporate crap") produce the intro. I'd love to see the work process there, wouldn't you?
Corner dude #1 - "STOP DANCING YOU IDIOT!"
Corner dude #2 - (dancing)
Corner dude #1 - "sigh....at least wait until I put some music on..."
by Mossman on Oct 17, 2006 9:40 PM EDT reply actions
Still think the choices have to be a bit more BC and out of the box. I maintain my funk obsession but this would work real nice:
Konono No.1 - Paradiso
"This amazing record is the product of utility, coincidence, and accidental discovery as much as it is a product of academic deliberation, and it manages to sound old and traditional even as it is refreshingly (even radically) new and avant-garde."
"Part traditional, part African rhumba, part smart avant-garde electronica, Congotronics is the sound of an urban junkyard band simultaneously weaving the past and the future into one amazingly coherent structure, and not only that, you can dance to it."
sound samples @ www.allmusic.com
by dileroscoe on Oct 18, 2006 1:44 AM EDT reply actions
Here are some of my suggestions:
Oasis - F*cking in the Bushes (Just the Guitar parts)
Tomoyasu Hotei - Battle Without Honor or Humanity (The Kill Bill Song)
Sam Spence (NFL Films) - A New Game
The Servant - Cells Instrumental (The Sin City Trailer Song)
Crystal Method - High Roller
by DJ Fiya on Oct 19, 2006 5:58 PM EDT reply actions
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