Project 3 XV GAGAKU

For the last project of Trimester 4, I decided to team up with Tavita Muliatele and Carter Kraaijmaat once again to create a 15 track beat tape! The title of this project is 'XV GAGAKU' which the concept of this beat tape is mainly based on Japanese history with the intent to drive a narrative through Hip-Hop instrumentals.

The main theme of this project revolves around Japan's transition into the modern age and becoming a much more western country while leaving behind ancient japan and the era of the samurai. This will focus on three specific eras within Japan's history:

Pre-modern - Ancient Japan and the traditional lifestyles that concluded with the ending of the Edo period.

Modern - The fall of the samurai, and the significance of the Meiji Restoration. With also the introduction of a more westernised empire of Japan.

Post-Modern - Post-millena Japan and it’s corporate drive for technological innovation and economic independence.

To help drive the narrative of Japan's history we aim to sample dialogue from documentaries and mainly from the 2003 film 'The Last Samurai' directed and co-produced by Edward Zwick. The movie is based off the 1877 rebellion that was led by Saigō Takamori against the modernised Imperial army. Within the movie the focus is mainly on the westernisation of Japan by foreign powers. The film's main character is an American Solider who later begins to understand, respect, appreciate and align himself with the traditional philosophies and lifestyles of the Samurai. Also, the reasons for sampling documentary material is to drive the narrative of the Post-Modern Era of Japan (20th and 21st century).

Maybe to bring more clarity to this project, Carter, Tav and I have recorded a podcast introducing this project:

What Carter referenced in the Podcast (Gza/Genius’s 1995 record Liquid Swords):

The Planning Phase

As mentioned within the podcast we have gone through and researched through mostly scholarly texts to ensure the history we are telling is accurate.

The documents can be seen here:

Project Plan

Historic Reference List

Since I have been pointed the task of producing 5 tracks within the style of the modern era of Hip-hop (2010 - Present) which is mostly the production style of trap music. Trap has become one of the most prominent production styles of our era.

Here is a track list of what I planned to make during this project:

1. U$ Occupied

2. Restoration

3. A New Era

4. The Soul of Japan

Interlude - Bushido

5. AGGRE$$ION

The Designing Phase

The key focus of elements during the designing phase was:

- Collecting and sampling dialogue from documentaries and from the film The Last Samurai

- Finding and collecting Japanese VST instruments and samples

- Making Preset drum racks to reduce any delay within the production phase

I also made a playlist of possible reference tracks:

The Production Phase

Throughout this part of the blog I will explain for each track:

- What my goal was

- Reference Tracks

- What I've sampled

Track 1 - U$ Occupied

Goal- The era of time my part of the beat tape beings is after WWII with Japan under the occupation of the United States of America. During that time of Post-war Japan the country was in a crisis, its citizens were suffering and many civilians were dying of starvation and left homeless due to the war. My aim was to depict a feeling of devastation and hopelessness.

Reference Tracks:

Old School Oriental Hip-hop Instrumental | *SENTOKI* | Prod. Raven:

What I wanted to take away from the first reference track is to achieve a similar downbeat feel.

J. Cole - Window Pain (Full Instrumental):

The sampling aspect of this track is what I wanted to replicate, the broken/glitchy sound just gives off a "devastating" type of feeling. (Like something is broken in some way)

Samples used- The dialogue I sampled was from a documentary called 'Japan Under American Occupation' from the History channel. I also sampled a 8 bar melody from the track 'Help Me' by a 1957 Japanese Psychedelic Folk artist named Hako Yamasaki.

I sampled and time stretched both the Intro and the Outro of this song to fit the BPM of my track.

Production Techniques Used:

-Sampling (Time Stretching):

After importing the song itself into Ableton Live and the parts I look to sample is the intro of the song and outro.

Intro:

I start by placing Warp markers down at the beginning of each chord. Then to match the sample to the bpm you drag the warp maker and line each of the chords in-line with the grid.

This took me awhile to play around with because it was a challenge to get some parts exactly on time. I did this with 8 bar melody you hear at the start of the sample.

I also cut and duplicated the end of each 4 bars to replicate the sound of the sample within the reference track J. Cole - Window Pain (Full Instrumental).

I did the same with the outro of the song:

Track 2 - Restoration

Goal- So this track continues the narrative and my goal was to convey Japan's recovery from WWII and their economic growth.

Reference Tracks:

Jaden Smith - B

The aspect of this track I wanted to replicate is mainly the build up and the drop.

Japanese Type Beat - ''Hito''

To convey a 'new age' of economic growth in Japan I wanted to switch the beat to something like this. I drew inspiration from this track mainly because of the pitch bending and high quality sounds really give off a 'bad-ass' confident feeling.

Samples- Nothing was sampled in this track

Production Techniques Used:

- Pitch Bending and Side Chain Compression (Video Tutorial on both techniques)

Track 3 - A New Era (Failed to complete)

Goal- This track was suppose to convey modern Japan with all the fancy tech and wealth.

Reference:

I wanted to reference a more 'hybrid' trap style to convey a the new economic success Japan had. I had a complete creative block, I had great difficulty matching the sound design and quality. I also failed many times to capture the style of this track. After making so many tracks, it was difficult to keep each track as distinct and different from each other. I ended up creating tracks that would sound the same as the last, which were no where near my reference.

TRACK 4 - The Soul of Japan

Goal- This track was a reference to a book Bushido the Soul of Japan the book speaks about the code of the samurai 'Bushido' and how it is deeply rooted in Japanese society. I wanted to convey basically the 'roots' of Japan.

Reference Track:

Jaden Smith - Fallen

The drums within this track sound phenomenal, I referenced only the drums for a solid foundation when composing.

Samples-

The Last Samurai Scene. 4:01 - 4:09 "Argahhhhh"

Production Techniques Used: Side Chain compression

Interlude - Bushido

Goal- To pay respects to old school hip hop by utilising the production style. The aim of this track was to convey modern Japan taking a moment to look back at their history.

Reference Track:

Wu-tang clan - c.r.e.a.m:

I wanted to capture that old school East coast Hip-hop sound.

Samples

Ike Reiko - Tenshi Ni Narenai

The Last Samurai - 2:04 & 2:09 "The way of the warrior" & "That is Bushido"

Production Technique Used: Sampling - Chopping (Tutorial Video here)

TRACK 5 - AGGRE$$ION

Goal- To convey the present problem Japan has been having with the other Asian foreign countries (China, Taiwan). They have been building their military since the aggression from other foreign countries is becoming much more prevalent.

Reference Track:

Kanye West - All Day