And what’s the purpose of getting a column on Pitchfork.com for those who can’t impulsively hit up Mr. Collipark and ask him about it? It’s not on a regular basis you get to speak to somebody who was there earlier than the widespread commercialization of Atlanta rap, and in addition there when it formally turned the hip-hop capital of the twenty first century. I rang him a number of weeks in the past, and he answered my video name whereas on his manner house from the barber. We chatted, for this interview that’s been edited for size and readability, about his more-than-three-decade mission to get the golf equipment poppin’.
Pitchfork: What do you suppose it’s that retains giving your “Whistle Whereas You Twurk” beat new life?
Mr. Collipark: For me, all the things I ever did began with the tradition. And, for “Whistle Whereas You Twurk,” we simply needed to make music for the strip golf equipment of Atlanta. And when you might have your boots on the bottom music simply lasts. Look, tomorrow I’m headed to L.A. to simply accept an award for Sexyy Pink sampling Hurricane Chris, who was signed to me. Whenever you’re actually in it, it’s all linked. That’s why individuals nonetheless hearken to the Temptations; that’s why individuals nonetheless hearken to Motown; it was a part of the tradition.
Is that why you’ve at all times needed to make music for the golf equipment?
Nah, that simply comes from me being a DJ; it’s what I do know. Down within the South, that’s all we needed to listen to. This was pre-Outkast, pre–Organized Noize. In Atlanta, MC Shy D was it, and a couple of Dwell Crew, too, so once I began DJing that was what should be blamed for individuals transfer.
When did you begin DJing?
Within the early ’90s once I went to Alabama A&M in Huntsville. It was my first time actually being round individuals who weren’t from Atlanta, my complete flooring was from New York, Chicago, and Detroit, so I needed to drive the get together music on them.
Again then, how essential had been the universities, particularly the HBCUs, in passing music between cities?
It was essential, particularly the spring breaks. Whoever had the tune of spring break, that turned the tune of the summer season. I bear in mind when “Whoomp! (There It Is)” and the 69 Boyz’s “Tootsee Roll” took over due to that. In the event you didn’t promote your music at spring break it wasn’t going to be successful.
How did you go from faculty DJ to the DJ for MC Shy D?
I used to be in a DJ crew, the J-Group, that was very fashionable on the east aspect of Atlanta. Shy D wasn’t an official member, however he was at all times round on the market, and, when DJ Toomp left him, he was on the lookout for a brand new one and the crew turned him on to me. So I turned his DJ and that’s how I began producing, too. The primary document I ever produced was for him referred to as “True to the Sport,” on Ichiban Data.
Was there something that you just seen that distinguished Shy D’s bass music from the scene in Miami?
Properly, first we didn’t name it bass, we referred to as it booty shake [laughs]. However Shy D was born within the Bronx, and the best way he needed the data blended and mastered got here from the best way they did it within the New York boom-bap scene. The kick and snare needed to hit like they did in New York, and that’s why once you hearken to one thing like “Whistle Whereas You Twurk” it nonetheless sounds good as we speak, as a result of I took that sound into all of the music I made with the Ying Yang Twins.
What music did you develop up on?
That first 2 Dwell Crew document modified my life. “Throw the D” was my shit. Earlier than that, solely a pair data from up North made their manner down right here—we had the primary Run-D.M.C. album and Sugarhill Gang—however it wasn’t till Krush Groove got here out did I really feel that everyone within the South was attempting to rap. That’s once we began getting our personal factor, as a result of there wouldn’t be Freaknik with out that. C’mon, man, think about if everybody was listening to Eric B. & Rakim at Freaknik?
What’s the best Freaknik tune ever?
Each “Whoomp! (There It Is)” and “Whoot, There It Is,” the 95 South model. The 95 South model was grimier, however, collectively, they each mirrored two sides of the booty shake. They had been so large; I believe that’s when it began getting commercialized.
Was {that a} good or dangerous factor?
Each. It opened the door for the style to be exploited, which was a foul factor. As soon as “My Boo” occurred, which was one of many best songs of that period and was impressed by the Edward J and J-Group mixtapes, mixing R&B data with stuff like “Planet Rock,” everybody began mimicking that sound. Now, abruptly, we had R&B booty shake, like “Swing My Approach,” and now you bought “C’mon N’ Experience It (The Practice),” and the sound obtained watered down quick. All of the hardcore shit obtained phased out as a result of all of the softer stuff took over the radio. I believe it made Atlanta should discover a extra nationally interesting sound. I’m glad it occurred, although, or else I’d have by no means discovered the Ying Yang Twins.