DJ Hurricane

[IzzyNYC]

I'm trying to remember why Hurricane and the Beasties split ways. I recall someone telling me just before the HN tour that they had fired him because he kept switching the beats up and throwing them off during the shows. I know that MMM has "rules" as to where they want him to leave it alone so am wondering if there is any truth to this.

Just my ponder for the day. Anyone know?

[Pootytang]

It has been said that the reason for his departure is due to the fact that they these 3 young men didn't tour enough and to support his finacial needs.

[Nicodemus]

He had back problems.

[KENNY GUIDO]

It has been said that the reason for his departure is due to the fact that they these 3 young men didn't tour enough and to support his finacial needs.

He could have gotten a second job. I mean, the beasties sorta did!

[Laver1969]

On the unauthorized bootleg video Horseplay, they interview Hurra and I sensed a little anomisity. And I do believe it had to do a with the finances.

I don't know if they Beasties have ever given MMM any specific do's and don'ts about switching up beats. I know the Beasties have said how they like how MMM keeps them on their toes and they're never sure what he's going to throw on.

[alikat]

You all may have seen this, but in terms of switching up beats, this quote from an article (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/24/AR2006032400393.html) about AIFST in SXSW is interesting:

The movie cost roughly $1.2 million to produce, though about half of the budget was spent on sample clearance thanks to the group's DJ, Mix Master Mike. "He's in detention for a little while," Diamond says. "He was throwing in all sorts of beats that aren't on our records. The sampling clearance hurt."

So that's one instance where random beats hurt, but it has nothing to do with effecting their actual performance. All of which is to say I'd have trouble believing Hurra would get fired for switching beats.

[brooklyndust]

yeah but for that movie they could have taken out any beats they didnt like and edit in ones they could use.

the whole dvd isnt live, mca said he mixed in some performances or some lyrics from other shows to get the best sound

[laurie_hammy]

iv looked in every shop for his album "The Hurra".

I reckon his raps are awsome

You Never Felt-A
Nother Brother
That Could Come An Melt Ya !!!

[Nicodemus]

He had back problems.

[alikat]

yeah but for that movie they could have taken out any beats they didnt like and edit in ones they could use.

the whole dvd isnt live, mca said he mixed in some performances or some lyrics from other shows to get the best sound

Exactly, I've heard that too. I think the fact they took the bullet to keep the new beats in there shows just how OK they are with beat switching.

[Laver1969]

yeah but for that movie they could have taken out any beats they didnt like and edit in ones they could use.

the whole dvd isnt live, mca said he mixed in some performances or some lyrics from other shows to get the best sound

Yeah...there are lots of differences from the original sound versus what was edited in/out for AIFST.

[facedownfall]

iv looked in every shop for his album "The Hurra".

I reckon his raps are awsome

You Never Felt-A
Nother Brother
That Could Come An Melt Ya !!!


put your right on the rock and pat your foot, put your foot on the rock.

[blipstutter]

If I'm not mistaken, the beat switching only started with MMM.
I think the deal was they wanted someone to act more as a deejay for hire then a 4th member of the group who would rhyme on records, split royalties, and such. At the time, DJ battles were huge, and Hurricane never really had skills anyway. Did he ever do any cutting on the records? Don't believe so. It makes sense for them to get a reputable dj who could showcase and had the ability to compose elements of songs in the studio when they wanted... but I believe his contract is far more tentative, which suits all parties involved. Then again, maybe he just had back problems.

[mcamuto]

If I'm not mistaken, the beat switching only started with MMM.
I think the deal was they wanted someone to act more as a deejay for hire then a 4th member of the group who would rhyme on records, split royalties, and such. At the time, DJ battles were huge, and Hurricane never really had skills anyway. Did he ever do any cutting on the records? Don't believe so. It makes sense for them to get a reputable dj who could showcase and had the ability to compose elements of songs in the studio when they wanted... but I believe his contract is far more tentative, which suits all parties involved. Then again, maybe he just had back problems.

Hurricane barely ever switched the beats. Actually I am pretty sure most of their instrumentals were off DAT anyways. Watch some old hurricane bootlegs and you will see songs switch with him not switching the record.... I think sometimes he played an instrumental (paul revere..) and he did the minor scratch but he was not full on DJ. That is the way he was. Nothing to diss against him though as he was crew for like 13 years. Ironically the only real time that the beasties came correct with multiple beats pre MMM was TFC 97 which I think was hurricanes last performance with them?!?! They even did the apache break over root down there and we all know that has been used again.

[BangkokB]

I believe that MMM replacing Hurricane was a bombshell bc I saw him with Run DMC in Athens, Ga. and asked him when were him and the boys gonna drop some treats and he said soon: this is circa 96. Keep in Mind that he wrote the hook for Sure Shot so don't dismiss him. I prefer Hurricane as opposed to MMM. I see it this way: Stevie Via is a dynamite guitarist. I don't like his songs but respect him through and through. MMM is an extraordinaire on the tables but Hurricane has the fundamentals down pat.

I miss Hurricane. IMHO the BBoys were better with him. Better Hooks better Beats

Admit it: Ill Communication was Law compared to Hello Nasty and the 5 Burroughs was a disaster...Those were MMM workings. That proves that a better DJ is not always the better choice

MMM adds nothing and takes major credit. If they want to really be avant guard then bring it back to the bascis.

Hurricanes got Clout

[Kid Presentable]

Mike did the scratches on maybe 8 songs on Hello Nasty, and contributed nothing more than cuts on TT5B. So where did his 'input' affect those albums? Hello Nasty was weak because of the contrived rhymes and sparse material. TT5B is just the Phil Collins of albums (controversial and divisive), but neither were a direct result of anything mmm did, just as Sure Shot was the only thing Hurricane really offered on an album. You can have your preferences, but your reasons are bullshit.

In that stupid Horseplay DVD I didn't detect any hostility from Cane, and if there was any, it's his own fault. It's pretty easy to be bitter about the boys not making him any money, but he could have always got off his arse and done something about it before it was too late. I'm sure he's still somewhat down, and he was happy enough when they were touring. There may some contract shenanigans that we're not hearing about.

I will say though, boots and various footage have me pretty tired of the whole Mixmaster thing. His change ups seem to always be punctuated by a 4 bar lead in (which is therefore always under a verse), and given how much dead air there is between songs, I don't really need to hear it during them as well. In the moment at a show I spose I don't really care, but I will say the live thing is getting a bit limited. He used to just blend and scratch over the beat playing at the time. meh

[mcamuto]

I have to agree with KP. Actually I think on HN MMM was on even less, I think only 4 songs?!?! But not sure The reason TTFB was rank to many is b/c the boys produced it themselves and it sounded like a college kid did it on an iMac. The albums sounds are based on the production and not what the individual scratches are.
Hurricane did not really have any major input to their 'sound' at all and using MMM as the scapegoat is just off. I also do not see where MMM is taking credit and doing nothing. Even if you do not like MMM and want to bring it back to basics (which could actually have the beasties with no dj and working off dat) you can not say that he does nothing as he works harder up there then probably any dj out there. I do not see MMM out there braging about how he is the beastie sound or taking major credit?!?!

[Laver1969]

In that stupid Horseplay DVD I didn't detect any hostility from Cane, and if there was any, it's his own fault. It's pretty easy to be bitter about the boys not making him any money, but he could have always got off his arse and done something about it before it was too late. I'm sure he's still somewhat down, and he was happy enough when they were touring. There may some contract shenanigans that we're not hearing about.

I will say though, boots and various footage have me pretty tired of the whole Mixmaster thing. His change ups seem to always be punctuated by a 4 bar lead in (which is therefore always under a verse), and given how much dead air there is between songs, I don't really need to hear it during them as well. In the moment at a show I spose I don't really care, but I will say the live thing is getting a bit limited. He used to just blend and scratch over the beat playing at the time. meh

KP does have some good points. I don't think Hurra or MMM played much of a creative role in any of the albums.

At the HHHonors show I noticed Hurra's laminate said Guest of Beastie Boys. So I would imagine they're all pretty down.

After listening to a zillion of the Pageant boots, the beat switch-ups become very predictable...but I still enjoy it. The Mix Up tour was a nice change of pace and gave their live show a different flavor. Even though if I had to choose only one show to see live...it would be the "regular" show.

[Kid Presentable]

The live boots are what I wish The Mix Up was, particularly the pageant stuff. Heavy on the instrumentals, sure, but a bit of hardcore (more than normal, you know?) a Live at PJ's-type Adrock thingo, Mike rapping over the band arrangement, MCA doing so, and so on. Plus that whole playing-and-all-three-rhyming thing. I think shit like that might make itself apparent on the next album. Doubt it, but still.

[Kid Presentable]

While I'm carrying on like an asshole, it would be a neato concept album if they tried to 'play' a pageant type show (mostly instruments and a little turntable shit and piped-in audience sounds) of all new material and samples as a fictitious live show. Live in Springfield or something...How much would sample clearance for 'Crowd Noises: The Anthology' be?

[pshabi]

I miss Hurricane. IMHO the BBoys were better with him. Better Hooks better Beats



Hooks = BBoys
Beats = Producers

The DJ has nothing to do with that shit.

duh

[M.C. Guevera]

I don't know if they Beasties have ever given MMM any specific do's and don'ts about switching up beats. I know the Beasties have said how they like how MMM keeps them on their toes and they're never sure what he's going to throw on.

Then how come Mix Master uses the same samples everytime? I've heard "So What'cha Want?" done to Fabolous' "Breathe" HOW many times now??

I would like to hear "Stick 'Em Up" done live once again, but that's just me.

And oh yeah, Hurricane was switching up beats back in 1995. "Stand Together" was done to "Method Man" for example.

[Laver1969]

Then how come Mix Master uses the same samples everytime? I've heard "So What'cha Want?" done to Fabolous' "Breathe" HOW many times now??

I would like to hear "Stick 'Em Up" done live once again, but that's just me.

And oh yeah, Hurricane was switching up beats back in 1995. "Stand Together" was done to "Method Man" for example.

MMM throws on whatever he wants...but he's found certain spots where the same samples fit very well. Listen to lots of the bootlegs and while they are similar, they are different. You can hear where he was trying to experiment...sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. When he finds something that works well he uses it often.

As far as Hurra switching up beats, sure he scratched a bit and threw on a different track here and there. In fact, I wonder if Hurra switching up the beats a bit in '95ish gave them the beginning of the idea to find a more skilled DJ to take it to the next level.

I saw the Beasties about 10 times with Hurra and never remember him doing anything memorable...except for Stick Em Up with Horovitz.

[taquitos]

This isn't a jam band you all, if MMM finds something that sounds good and works well he's gonna do it over and over. These sets are not built to keep the same audience on their toes night after night. They tour, people see them in each city, and they move on.

[mcamuto]

MMM throws on whatever he wants...but he's found certain spots where the same samples fit very well. Listen to lots of the bootlegs and while they are similar, they are different. You can hear where he was trying to experiment...sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. When he finds something that works well he uses it often.

As far as Hurra switching up beats, sure he scratched a bit and threw on a different track here and there. In fact, I wonder if Hurra switching up the beats a bit in '95ish gave them the beginning of the idea to find a more skilled DJ to take it to the next level.

I saw the Beasties about 10 times with Hurra and never remember him doing anything memorable...except for Stick Em Up with Horovitz.

They did play 4 fly guys as well a few times. The times that they did 'switch' the beat up (when I saw them) it was more of less them just rapping the entire song over a different beat (like the 411 pass the mic). I honestly did not even see hurricane change the record very much when watching him except for the tfc 97. Hip hop was all about 'being live' back in the day. I.e. Jam Master Jay juggling 'walk this way' and such before it was a single. MMM siad in some interview that he wanted to make the beasties show like what run dmc shows were like, a live DJ spinning wax.

When HN came out there was some story on mtv (little clip) or something or some article saying the beasties were bringing two dj's on tour, hurricane and a special guest MMM. Maybe after MMM contacted the boys Hurricane realized it was a good time to part (amicably) as well.

The only ironic thing with MMM is that after a beastie show (with hurricane) you would hear the random person say 'man the boys were great' and many times now I have heard 'man ther dj is sick' which is quite rare...

[M.C. Guevera]

I would love to hear "Four Fly Guys" done live too.

[wrongwayandugg]

i definitely am down with the hurra and mixmaster is crazy good. they brought 2 diff styles to the band completely i think.
i long for a new rap record with instruments from these boys. i know that mixmaster will continue bring the spice no matter what.
give mmm some elbow room. peace to hurra!

[BangkokB]

I would love to hear "Four Fly Guys" done live too.
They did it on the 94 Lollapollaza Tour 1st night in ATL

They also played BBoys w/ the FreakFreak

Good Times

[BangkokB]

Hooks = BBoys
Beats = Producers

The DJ has nothing to do with that shit.

duh
I don't know about you but I find it over the top odd that once MMM entered the picture the music went downhill. And yes, I'll use MMM as the scapegoat for that.
If we want to talk about Producers lets talk about Dust Brothers. I'm Old School and conventional wisdom says that PB was the masterpiece. DB did a bang up job on Fight Club. Bring it back to the basics. If we're gonna dwell on the past then I'll bring that tidbit up

And by the way, I appreciate your Youtube videos~pshabi. So your opinion is not lost in the wind

[Nygel]

I don't know about you but I find it over the top odd that once MMM entered the picture the music went downhill. And yes, I'll use MMM as the scapegoat for that.
If we want to talk about Producers lets talk about Dust Brothers. I'm Old School and conventional wisdom says that PB was the masterpiece. DB did a bang up job on Fight Club. Bring it back to the basics. If we're gonna dwell on the past then I'll bring that tidbit up

And by the way, I appreciate your Youtube videos~pshabi. So your opinion is not lost in the wind
his opinion shouldnt be lost in the wind, its 100% correct. pay attention to anything recent, when making TT5B it was asked who made the beats, they said they did, it was asked how much mmm helped, and they said minor scratchin in a track or two, he really didnt produce anything. its def true. if you want better instrumentals, mario c, if you want better lyrics, wait for the next album when political shit dies down a bit and maybe they'll start rockin out old school lyrics.

[pshabi]

I don't know about you but I find it over the top odd that once MMM entered the picture the music went downhill. And yes, I'll use MMM as the scapegoat for that.
If we want to talk about Producers lets talk about Dust Brothers. I'm Old School and conventional wisdom says that PB was the masterpiece. DB did a bang up job on Fight Club. Bring it back to the basics. If we're gonna dwell on the past then I'll bring that tidbit up

And by the way, I appreciate your Youtube videos~pshabi. So your opinion is not lost in the wind

Just so you know, back in 1998 when Hello Nasty's release was approaching, the "online community" was saying that Ill Communication was the start of the "downhill" slide in the bboys music. I'm sure back in 1992, when they brought the instruments out, some old school fans thought that was the beginning of the end. I'm sure "Funky Boss" was complete shit to a lot of people who grew up on LTI. Whatever.

[M.C. Guevera]

Just so you know, back in 1998 when Hello Nasty's release was approaching, the "online community" was saying that Ill Communication was the start of the "downhill" slide in the bboys music. I'm sure back in 1992, when they brought the instruments out, some old school fans thought that was the beginning of the end. I'm sure "Funky Boss" was complete shit to a lot of people who grew up on LTI. Whatever.

Wow. I know someone who stopped listening to the Beastie Boys because of Ill Communication, which I find hard to believe.

[KENNY GUIDO]

Wow. I know someone who stopped listening to the Beastie Boys because of Ill Communication, which I find hard to believe.

yea, sal governalli from the howard stern show!

[KENNY GUIDO]

I dont think MMM had has anything to do with the boys decline in popularity. Hip hop is forever changing and in case you didnt know, Eminem has dominated the charts for many years and it seems like when people hear of the beasties releasing new stuff, I always hear the same thing..... "theyre still around?" and "I thought they were dead?"

They have thier own style and thats it. What is is.

[3stooges]

the albums have nothing to do with the dj's. I can see if you are talking about the live shows, as a matter of taste, but not the albums. mmm is a better live dj than hurricane. just an all around better dj. whatever scratches he did on albums are quality. but if you are feeling the albums started slipping after IC or whatever, that's really just a coincidence that mmm took over at that point. the producers make the records. not the dj's. it's more likely a case of the beasties having progressively less and less production help out (rick rubin, dust brothers, money mark) and eventually doing it all themselves. less ideas. and obviously just over the course of a career a band develops to a peak and then declines as it gradually has less energy, inspiration, drive, creativity and fresh concepts. it happens to everybody. people try to keep doing it at the same level but it is very rare that they actually accomplish it. somebody like bob dylan still makes good records every couple years, but he is an extreme exception to the rule. plus his performance style adapts well to age. with rock and hip hop and such that's not usually the case.

[Laver1969]

I'm sure "Funky Boss" was complete shit to a lot of people who grew up on LTI. Whatever.

Get off my back.

[pshabi]

I'd love to see the bboys bring in pretty much ANY producer for the next album to work alongside them.

[Nygel]

I'd love to see the bboys bring in pretty much ANY producer for the next album to work alongside them.
except timbaland


also double R

[KENNY GUIDO]

tony moran. :)