These Hip Hop Piano Riffs Did Not Need To Go THIS Hard

[@CharlesCornellStudios]

What'd we miss?? 50% off pre-sale ends in a week, so check out the Harmony 101 course here!! cornellmusicacademy.com/harmony

[@masonsherman5451]

Hey how about some Foo Fighters? In honor of Taylor Hawkins

[@bobbystrings5074]

Do a video on why bohemian rhapsody is so good ;)

[@francoomarlopezlopez]

Estimate by Slum Village

[@christianholzner9854]

Anything Labi Siffre

[@blunderbass851]

Homecoming by Kanye and Chris Martin!! Love that piano-driven sound in the song.

[@denmarkco3304]

You know when you fell deep to music that every genre don't matter as long as there is groove.

[@mrtech1513]

Underrated comment!!

[@porqpai7082]

Agreed. Hard body!

[@-solidsnake-]

Comment makes no sense

[@murrenloughlin3103]

THANK YOU. heck to genres i found an algerian reggae band with sick groove and idc bc its GROOVY

[@muesli_snipes]

There's a helluvalot of groovless music that I love.

[@williammontgomery8812]

I wrote my dissertation on what classical composers could learn from hip hop artists and this video just makes me so happy. People need to see the brilliance in hip hop.

[@malikastone]

That sounds like a great read! Is it published anywhere?

[@Boyiaka97]

@@malikastone I second that!

[@sprinkwinkle]

@William Montgomery yeah, seriously.. is it published/available for reading anywhere??

[@PtylerBeats]

Remember when Ben Shapiro said that Hip Hop wasn’t music because it didn’t have harmony? Lol

[@Shawn-hb7gf]

Can you link your dissertation !?

[@arturikhay]

Fun fact: both Poppin’ Them Thangs and Still Dre were done by Scott Storch. In terms of the piano of course. He was a key player for The Roots when they first started and has a great understanding of Jazz.

[@moart87]

He’s great!

[@ogfdnbvjkfdn]

rule of thumb is generally that if scott storch is on keys, your track is probably fire!

[@HydetheRapper]

I didn’t know Scott Storch played with The Roots early on-that’s cool!

[@PedroDaGr8]

​​@@HydetheRapper He did so many things. For example, he did "You Got Me" by The Roots and Erikah Badyu, "Cry Me A River" by Justin Timberlake, and "Naughty Girl" by Beyonce to name a few.

[@Gr1MM240]

Yeah dre gets a lot of credit for being a glorified beat maker he's always used other musicians and samples to make songs

[@nibblrrr7124]

00:12 _Poppin' Them Thangs_ - 02:07 _N.Y. State of Mind_ - 03:31 _The World Is Yours_ - 05:55 _Mockingbird_ - 06:56 _Humble_ - 07:54 _I Gotcha_ - 11:08 _See You Again_ - 13:45 _C.R.E.A.M._ - 14:54 _California Love_ - 15:41 _Still D.R.E._ - 00:00 _Intro_ 00:12 *"Poppin' Them Thangs"* by G-Unit 02:07 *"N.Y. State of Mind"* by Nas 03:31 *"The World Is Yours"* by Nas 05:33 _Odd Time Podcast_ 05:55 *"Mockingbird"* by Eminem 06:56 *"Humble"* by Kendrick Lamar 07:54 *"I Gotcha"* by Lupe Fiasco 11:08 *"See You Again"* by Tyler, The Creator ft. Kalui Uchis 13:45 *"C.R.E.A.M."* by Wu-Tang Clan 14:54 *"California Love"* by 2Pac 15:41 *"Still D.R.E."* by Dr. Dre 17:00 _Harmony 101 course_ 17:53 _Outro_

[@doctorjallo]

Thank you

[@725niko]

You are a gentleman and a scholar! TY!

[@cc1093]

Thank you bebi

[@EnzoTheBaker]

Thank you so much. I don't get why the Uploaders never put timestamps.

[@user-tk3rm2yc2v]

MVP type comment lol

[@perhvarnes]

N.Y. State of Mind is one of the best hip hop tracks of all time! DJ Premier has a cool KZbin channel where he breaks down the history behind some of his greatest bangers. The World Is Yours always gives me the chills 😎

[@perhvarnes]

And of course C. R. E. A. M.!!! Every single time feels like the first time heard it.

[@gimletrose1985]

Yaaas!!!!!!

[@sbyrstall]

Billy Joel does a much better job if it.

[@panpolypuff]

@@sbyrstall That's like comparing apples and oranges. Or maybe apples and overpriced desktop computers - same name, but you seek each out for entirely different reasons.

[@bargun3943]

@@sbyrstall Different song?

[@LukeFaulkner]

7:16 Rachmani-riff (It's like Op.3/2)

[@themusic6808]

The World Is Yours has long been my favourite hip hop track. How Pete Rock was able to find some obscure, improvised 9 second section of a decades old jazz recording and loop it into that is pretty amazing. The whole Illmatic album is a example of the pinnacle of hip hop and rap beat making and sampling. Very few artists get Pete Rock, DJ Premier, Q Tip and Large Professor on their debut album.

[@mastod0n1]

The entire album Illmatic by Nas is a tour de force in incredible sampling. Nas' father, jazz musician Olu Dara, also plays trumpet during the outro for "Life's a Bitch". Add on Nas' fantastically vivid storytelling and creative word play and you have one of the most impactful albums of the last 30 years. I highly highly recommend giving the album a full listen.

[@AM1media]

🔥🔥🔥

[@quinndavis630]

And then you got primo all over it too, which helps a bit!

[@ninjireal]

Woah! I had no idea :0 cool

[@iamtheteapot7405]

Yeah illmatic is definitely on my short list

[@j._7054]

Greatest hip hop album of all time imho

[@spirini6361]

It's really fun to analyze this piano parts of hiphop songs because most of them are jazz samples, and the way they take, just a 2sec frase, out of the beginning of a jazz song or even a piano solo, and mixed it up with and amazing beat and rhythm, is truly amazing!

[@Tonyhouse1168]

*phrase

[@skroodup]

"I always loved the grooves coming out of the late 90s and early 2000's" Dre. was and still is insane with the simplistic, hard-hitting beats. Gave an entire generation of hip hop a voice.

[@mastod0n1]

They always sound so simple but they are immaculately mixed and mastered. His beats just hit different. The easiest way to fully appreciate and understand his work is to try and recreate one of his beats. I'd bet that even with the source sounds that 98% of people still couldn't get it to sound as clean and crisp as a Dre beat.

[@morkmon]

My first introduction to Bill Evans was the sample on Madvillain - Raid, that album has amazing samples in general

[@christiankjrbl8397]

Kinda wild that no Madlib+DOOM track was mentioned.

[@FujitheChef]

Raid & All caps!!!!

[@chelmrtz]

Absolutely ALL CAPS is incredible

[@andante5571]

Please do more on Tyler the Creator. He produces his own music, and a lot of his songs are jazz inspired. There’s a lot to be explored, and he definitely has other songs that are more densely compact with different jazz elements.

[@SashaKaiser11]

The first bridge on Sweet is very impressive

[@NamelessShrike]

Fr. I mean have you heard his acapella freestyle on sway in the morning? Strait fire.

[@090nj2]

*FRRRR*

[@xbenci]

I would say Tyler has a lot more soul in his music than jazz, but regardless he's probably one of the most interesting hip hop artists to analyze because of how he draws from other genres

[@arko9151]

OMG YESS that's what I've been saying. I think Charles and Tyler would get along swell not even finna lie

[@57GnG79]

Bro I know your a professional with idk how many years of experience but it still so cool to watch you hear music and not only know the key but be able to identify all the keys in the chords you just heard. Great job

[@homiefromfl]

I love that old school Lupe is getting love. His first albums are straight FIRE.

[@san0mad]

Yknow, a year late, but I recently remembered "The Cool" and have been listening to it, and some others, quite a bit. Love Lupe.

[@jackgreeley3406]

Jazz and hip hop are my two favorite genres, so this video was made specifically for me

[@crysisbai]

we gotta mention the japnese for jazz hip hop then

[@elwhagen]

Charles' love for music is infectious!

[@yetanotherbassdude]

Definitely need some more hip hop piano videos like this, and probably just some deep dives into the connections between hip hop and jazz in general. I love your comparison between rap phrasing and jazz soloing too! Maybe do a more in-depth comparison of some specific rappers and some jazz soloists whose rhythms and phrasing may have inspired them?

[@LakeDuria]

I think that an in-depth video about Tyler, the creator's songs would be awesome, I think there's interesting stuff to talk about from your perspective. Keep on keeping on!

[@ashtmslf2315]

HARD agree

[@BattleChemist]

Totally agreed... I absolutely loved the 80's and 90's rap and hip-hop sampling of Jazz and Motown... there was always something so 'soulful' to the music that paid homage to its roots and tended to sound better than other pieces.

[@fordconnors4326]

if you would ever want to do another vid like this, "Feather" and "Luv(sic.) part III" by Nujabes are my two favorite rap songs featuring piano ever. The album they're on, "Modal Soul" which is an incredible hip hop album all the way through and features beautiful samples.

[@ArgoBeats]

Man, this video is pure gold. Listen to this kind of Hip Hop, kids, you won't regret in 10-20-30-40-50 years...

[@hmonsta1189]

The recreation of these hip hop hits is so refreshing, and the genuine enjoyment and excitement is appreciated. Thanks for making this video.

[@screw_tape]

glad u covered some melodies and chord bits that were made specifically for the track alongside the classic sampling process. gives a really cool insight into what producers can actually do highly recommend checking out the first little verse of big pun’s “twinz.” it doesnt have too much in the way of instrumentation but the way he weaves in and out of the beat is mind-blowing. some of the gnarliest lyricism i have heard in my 600 years of existence.

[@Soh90]

This brought such a HUGE smile to my face because I LOVE late 90's and early 00's hip-hop for this very reason. The instrumentals were so deep and rich. They had so many layers. I love just sitting back and vibing to old 50 and old G-Unit, old Biggie, old Nas, and man, just love it. I think 50 has the best instrumentals.

[@captainneolime8618]

I think a good hip hop producer that is influential of using jazz samples in a unique way is Nujabes, the man that ether created or pioneered the creation of lofi hiphop.

[@thekidzcantfathom]

I love how you're getting hyped about the records/ blind reactions. I'm glad you can appreciate the records because most people try to downplay the talent involved.

[@jgrocket]

The moment I started this and you proposed what you were gonna do, I went “man, wouldn’t it be cool if he did I Gotcha by Lupe Fiasco?” And I didn’t think you would! But here we are! This rules! One of my favorite chord loops.

[@ZZ-sb8os]

Your auditory memory is off the charts! I'm pretty good at hearing notes and chords, but *ONLY ONE AT A TIME!* How you can hold the auditory information of an entire lick in your head, one that you've never broken down before, continually blows me away with almost every video you make

[@jayman9810]

I would recommend listening to Nujabes especially his luv sic hexalogy. Great vid hopefully you can do more piano video with hip hop.

[@nick_phi11ips]

was just about to comment this

[@arko9151]

Yesss I love Nujabes Charles needa break his beats down

[@elcamello1980]

It'd be great to hear his take on "Shiki no uta"

[@BigPokemon]

This was the video we’ve all been waiting for! Please keep doing videos like this.

[@keithklassen5320]

I'm so lucky that you showed me that Lupe track! Never heard it, but now it's getting heavy play.

[@junkdubious]

This brings me back. Guru and those Jazzamatazz albums, the Roots and Soulive.

[@nullunit]

That was rad. Tyler's music choices and overall production gets better with every album. Even funkyass Cherry Bomb was needed so he could get to Flowerboy, Igor and Call Me If You Get Lost.

[@ChrisValencia]

In modern hip-hop check out any of Tyler the Creator's past few albums (Flower Boy, IGOR, Call Me If You Get Lost). Even the backing music in the interludes go crazy. Tyler's a massive fan of chords and composes most, if not all his music himself. There's a KZbin vid of him reacting to covers of his songs and he gets excited over chord changes as much as you I'd say

[@moart87]

Heavily inspired by the Neptunes

[@paulmuaddib451]

Excellent video. Not covering Blacksteet's 'No Diggity' was a missed opportunity though. 😉

[@LucasRuge]

Please do more of this. Love this kind of content

[@Eldon_is_The_Best]

Please… 🙏🏾… MORE OF THIS! I never really see Hip Hop analyzed musically. Just learned the piano intro to Roses by Outkast. That’s a good one to look at too.

[@helio6839]

"I wonder if you look both ways when you cross my mind." Genius lyric!

[@NKSoulMusic23]

Great video. Nas for me is the GOAT

[@NikoFrederiko.]

World is yours.

[@MikeEZ]

Yes!!

[@gimletrose1985]

I love him so much

[@supersolomob422]

16:35, It definitely is, it's the only one I recongnize, didn't even know what song it was from but I see it everywhere I go

[@drphalanges1520]

Hip Hop/Rap deserves respect. So many people cite it as being talentless or easy and it's the opposite. There's so much good stuff out there.

[@biscobisco1882]

At the very least it's an exercise in great taste by the DJs and producers being able to pluck extremely catchy hooks out of some nice dense jazz harmony.

[@jimmymelendez1836]

There are some good Hip Hop music. It's not really the music that I listen to every day of the week.

[@ansonchan0518]

Always been a huge fan of jazz and hip hop. Glad they’re getting more attention!

[@Person-zc1yv]

Great video, I love watching you analyze music and the excitement that goes into that! One suggestion I have that might be a little outside your norm would be looking into DCI bands (basically professional marching bands if you don’t know). There’s some amazing music in that field that I would love to see your reactions on!!

[@EV21]

More of this, please. Thanks!

[@ericnowak9497]

Nasty Nas, the quintessential 90’s east coast MC. Arguments can be made for others, but I think his raspy voice delivering unparalleled bars over smoky lounge style production epitomizes the east coast sound. A god damn legend. Edit: and yet, a little later in the video Wu Tang comes in to challenge my assertion.

[@gabrielgabriel7946]

The world is yours still give me chills, what a song

[@julz5443]

Loving this content! Just in the hopes you will make more parts to this video: One More Chance - Notorious B.I.G Still Not A Player - Big Pun Changes - Tupac Dead Presidents II - Jay-Z Just A Friend - Biz Markie Theives In The Night - Black Star Get By - Talib Kweli Heard Em Say - Kanye West Family Business - Kanye West Yesterday - Atmosphere The Boss - Pete Rock Scenario - A Tribe Called Quest Selfish - Slum Village Hoe Cakes - DOOM Next Levels - King Geedorah (aka DOOM) Flowers - Nujabes Imaginary Folklore - Nujabes

[@b.c.slumber3694]

Solid list. But just more Nujabes plzzz

[@havac3683]

I like the list but i feel it needs more nujabes

[@hectorzm97]

Also: I Ain't Mad At Cha - Tupac

[@jonathanflopstein8587]

Common Market - Tobacco Road

[@hudsonja]

You should DEFINITELY make this some kind of series! There's so much great piano in hip hop, in fact I have a whole playlist just dedicated to hip hop songs that feature piano. There's tons more to explore here.

[@thesadfather1239]

If you ever make another video about hip hop, “Raid” by MF DOOM is absolutely heat and samples “Nardis” as performed by the Bill Evans trio. It’s incredibly good and I’d love to see you look at it.

[@jackryan444]

Well yeah, leave it to Madlib to bring the fire. Doom and Madlib made magic.

[@dianakurland2500]

You are so much fun!

[@ceefahie]

Please listen to some more Tyler, he’s got some interesting chords in his music

[@paulwhetstone0473]

This is one of your best and most useful segments for helping me find piano grooves to accompany modern and contemporary dance classes.

[@babakazi808]

PART 2 PLEASE!!!

[@margreetvanderwagen8295]

recently bingewatching all your videos reacting on music. You're giving words and explanation to why I often go like 'wow' when listening to music and I love it

[@AlSween]

I love how you break down things. I was telling friends that freestyle uses similar methods to improvising. I got into Ahmad Jamal after falling in love with Nas "The World is Yours". I thought it was a straight loop but there's actually some chops that made for an interesting new loop.

[@gregthegroove]

16:04 that little part in the beginning is almost the same as that small lick in California Love that you played right before.

[@stevenrahman8972]

Something you mentioned about MC's phrasing makes me want to ask if you've ever listened to Pharoah Monche, because if you have not, he's known for discussing his phrasing in terms of horn soloists, & I think you'd find him incredibly interesting.

[@andreacristina9975]

You should def do a breakdown of iconic house/90s dance piano riffs! Would love to see you break down Move Your Body, Where Love Lives, I’m Gonna Get You, It’s A Fine Day, etc.

[@Badministrator]

I never realized Still DRE is just getting strong now from Rocky

[@jamesmatthew01]

Shits amazing. I wrote the cords for dre way back in day in 82 sampling John Favreau. Didn't know it'd get this far but knew with me and jacks mehoff it would blow. Much love

[@poindextertunes]

I guarantee you on any platinum keyboard part you can find from the 2000s, theres a %99 chance its Scott Storch 💯 that dude is a musical genius and he gets slept on a lot when it comes to talking about the best producers of all time this is a great video and centers around one of my areas of expertise as I was a budding producer in the 2000s 😅

[@n-spired]

When I think about Piano I always has the symphony on my mind. Great video and nice selection.

[@TheAmorable]

I really enjoy videos like these that talk about rap and hip hop. Lots of folks don’t understand how genuinely musically and lyrically talented these people are.

[@MrJayBeatstv]

I need a part 2 to this

[@babakazi808]

You should check out Tyler the creator playing piano compilations. He's EXCELLENT. I would love to learn what he's playing I'm still kind of a noob 😆

[@zilverjansen7134]

Yes!

[@troygerow9036]

I love how you explore soo many different genres of music and bring out the beauty and emotion in all of them. Great content, keep it up!

[@Konstantinous1]

More videos of Jazz Pianist Breaks Down Iconic Hip Hop Piano Riffs pleaseee

[@henrymattei4886]

A little teeny "note" I want to add about the "World Is Yours" Ahmad Jamal riff, right after the C7#9, there is an A note played above the left hand voicing to slide back down into the Dbm7 chord, it's pretty clear in the recording and is really nice. Its such a cool detail. These songs were my introduction into jazz.

[@qwopout7443]

Seeing you analyze nujabes would be amazing

[@palmtraveller2177]

Just found this channel and absolutely fell in love with your vibe mate, you’re exactly like me. Love music and appreciate the passion behind it. Seriously deserved mate, massive respect

[@saschjordan2596]

Awesome video! If you do a part 2, I recommend Tupac's 'I Ain't Mad at Cha' which samples 'A Dream' by DeBarge or ' I Get Around'. Both have really interesting riffs.

[@evifnoskcaj]

Jazz sampling in hip hop really is a beautiful thing.

[@flewis02]

I love this dudes mindset..his energy and his enthusiasm is addictive....i always thought i was the only one who really appreciated hip hop music composition beyond the rappers themselves..

[@kazuokuroi3316]

The reaction on New York State of Mind was priceless! My 2 cents. Try: Guru - Loungin (Jazzmatazz Vol 1), and: A Tribe Called Quest - Electric Relaxation

[@cooldebt]

In addition to jazz I love old school rap/hip hop - something my parents disdained ('not real music, so repetitious') and my kids are only into a select few (fortunately including Eminem and Charles chose my favourite). Thanks to this video, I feel validated 🙃

[@therealdjap]

All joints. I thoroughly enjoyed your piano freakage and breakdown of manh of my favorite joints.

[@coastercraziness]

I recommend Melt Session #1 by Denzel Curry, his entire album, Melt My Eyez See Your Future, is so good. Melt Session #1 probably has the most interesting chords however

[@0Heeroyuy01]

still Dre and California love are probably hands down the top 2 most iconic use of pianos in hip hop

[@ForestFire369]

Oh my god, Charles, the songs that are out of tune with your piano are in 420 hz. I had a hunch so I went and listened to pure tones to compare - and it's true 😂

[@Xenro66]

Of course it's 420, why would it be anything else!! 🌱🤣

[@armstrong.r]

That's fucking amazing

[@bargun3943]

They are just samples that have been slowed down, 420hz would still be out of tune.

[@mrwassef]

@@bargun3943 Still D.R.E isn’t a sample.

[@bargun3943]

@@mrwassef It's not a sample but I'm pretty sure it's an interpolation on a synth

[@jakekunz5168]

2:22 And this is why as someone who was born pretty much after his era, who had no rap influence til i was like 12, Nas became my favorite old school rapper.

[@dojan6016]

I would love a video of you breaking down a Jamiroquai song! Any of their older ones would be sweet :)

[@hankcarbajal802]

Virtual insanity is a banger

[@dojan6016]

@@hankcarbajal802 Yeah! But something from their first album would also be nice (since virtual insanity already is covered a lot)

[@user-qu6xf6gl7r]

Check out Matt Johnson, he's the keyboardist, his channel is gold for funk tutorials

[@dojan6016]

@@user-qu6xf6gl7r already watches all his stuff ;) thanks though :)

[@asapvarg]

Gotta do a part 2! This was awesome to watch

[@babakazi808]

The world is yours by NAS piano is so ICONIC I know it by the first NOTE lmao

[@aporcelaingirl]

Highly recommend checking out US3’s “Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)”. It contains samples from Blue Note records and they actually had access to many of the original tapes.

[@aporcelaingirl]

Also "Lucas With The Lid Off" by Lucas. Now he's more well-known as a songwriter named Lucas Secon.

[@turbogranny5525]

LL Cool J's "Around the Way Girl" has some really smooth and jazzy chords, try checking that out 🥂

[@snoopyguy21]

The world is yours sample is probably one of my favourite riffs. Brings back Tony Hawk memories of just skating. The most chill feeling.

[@sharifalsaad2988]

Would love to see you react to a boy is a gun and sweet/I thought you wanted to dance by Tyler

[@Frenk_L]

The "Humble" line is in Phrigyan

[@Mr_Stanley888]

Lupe was one of the first rappers I saw that played with a full band. It was so good.

[@alanaduran9045]

Love this! Great hearing hip hop looked at for its musicality and its amazing sample selection in some cases

[@janjamiyt]

ben shapiro after saying "rap isn't real music": 🤯

[@nick_phi11ips]

Ben Shapiro after wiping his bum with his hands in order to not waste produce and products

[@uraharamitchell7250]

Mr Cornell, Urahara Mitchell long time subscriber here. Dude PLEASE, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do more vids of you just dissecting and consuming Hip-Hop. I'm loving this really unconventional contrast of the grittiness of the Hip-Hop you're exploring alongside your more 'inadvertent innocence' of being the more academic family friendly musician. If I'm to do away with the euphemisms and just be outright, seeing your textbook really cool laid back law abiding white dude enjoying headbanging gangsta rap is NEVER not going to be priceless. Sir, Bro, Dude...PLEASE DO MORE OF THESE!!

[@br-uh8139]

Great video! Would love to see a deep dive into Tyler, The Creator. He's an excellent pianist, and it shows in his songs!

[@JudgeDredd_]

That Nas who’s world is this is just sex to my classical musician ears. Bro you need to break down some J Dilla I swear. Then some 9th Wonder and Madlib I promise

[@IsaiPR]

You should listen to any Blu & Exile albums, they’re always jazz based and the newest one ‘Miles’ is the epitome of jazz rap.

[@AnAmericanComposer]

Charles do you hate sharp key chords or something? I can't say I've ever seen a Dbm9 before lol

[@jamesdrury2387]

I started playing the piano a yearish ago and I love it. But you, sir charles, enhance that love 10 fold! Thank you for what you do!

[@davinnicode]

The list doesn't do it justice. Basically Scott Storch's whole catalogue is missing. He was the master keyboard/piano writer for Hip Hop back in the day. He wrote some of the most iconic melodies in the genre. He also started out with The Roots. Also the usage of samples in Hip Hop is what got me to Jazz in the first place. I came across so many great jazz artist, albums and songs just because of it.

[@happy24seven]

Love, love, love this insightful closer look at a genre that may seem frivolous to some but is rich in depth, creativity, and layers. The music, dance, and poetic/rhythmic lyrics are not easy at all! Always with that welcoming groove and pattern of style.