20 April

Start of class: "Ophelia" by Levon Helm from Ramble At the Ryman (2011)

"The Weight" by Levon Helm from Ramble At the Ryman (2011)

Levon Helm - singer, drummer, multi-instrumentalist, and co-founder of The Band - passed away yesterday after a long battle with cancer. I play this in class as a way to remember his music and to pass on the sound of one of the central figures in rock music in the US. The Band pioneered Americana and Roots Music. Levon Helm's voice was central to the sound of The Band and to the sound of Americana. He was an incredible influence on a large number of contemporary musicians, and music and musicians in the US will miss him greatly.

Example of east coast engagement in Rap: "Night of the Living Baseheads" by Public Enemy from It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)

Example of west coast engagement in Rap: "Straight Outta Compton" by N.W.A. from Straight Outta Compton (1988)

Example of alternative Hip Hop: "Me Myself and I" by De La Soul from 3 Feet High & Rising (1989)

West Coast Rap style example: "Who Am I? (What's My Name)" by Snoop Dogg from Doggystyle (1993)

East Coast Rap style example: "Hypnotize" by Notorious B.I.G. from Life After Death (1997)

Contemporary Rap example: "Forgot about Dre" by Dr. Dre (featuring Eminem) (1999)

Contemporary Rap example: "Champion" by Kanye West from Graduation (2007)

End of class: "The Shape I'm In" by Levon Helm from Ramble At the Ryman (2011)