Good Masterclass Monday Morning to all of you! It’s been a while, hasn’t it? But have I got something for you!
Below, you will be treated to an excellent performance of “Trouble” by Robert Preston from the movie version of Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man”.
I have also included the opening scene from this show, “Rock Island”.
And as I was watching these videos, it dawned on me that Hip Hop and Rap artists should take special note of this and other similar numbers in this classic musical.
The verbal bantering synchronized to an underlying harmonic and rhythmic structure is very similar to what we see and hear from our current Rap and Hip Hop artists.
This song definitely encompasses a more retro feel in content and, of course, the genre is very much Broadway.
However, what I did appreciate about The Music Man numbers was the clarity of the words – one thing that suffers so much when some of our Rap or Hip Hop artists perform.
I would absolutely love to hear a Rap/Hip Hop artist cover this number. How cool would that be?
And it would cross to a genre that is the polar opposite of what has become the norm in the pop industry.
TROUBLE
ROCK ISLAND
Oh, I love that–both “Trouble” and the linking of the patter song to Rap and Hip Hop! I wonder how many how perform and/or listen to those genres realize the connection?
And to carry back the tradition a bit farther, here’s “A Modern Major General” from The Pirates of Penzance (the Delacorte Theater production with Kevin Kline and Linda Ronstadt):
(In case it doesn’t embed, it’s here.)
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Yes Rachel. I forgot about the Gilbert and Sullivan. Thanks for adding the link. I love G&S. It would be innovative if a current rap/hip hop artist updated these classics.
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It definitely would be!
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