One of the first things that comes to mind when I hear music after taking this course is the looping of beats and the “beat drop” that follows silencing the beats. The first time I realized what I was hearing was when I was listening to J. Cole’s hit album “No Role Modelz”. The first sound you hear when listening to this song is an eight count of drums and an electric guitar. This one eight count is played over and over throughout the entire song. Having such a well known beat playing continously not only makes the song immediately recognizable, but it also makes it even more powerful when the beat is paused. For example, half way through “No Role Modelz” the beat is pause and J. Cole says “Imma need my shirt back *** you know how it go”, and then the beat drops and the eight count is continued. If you ask anyone in this current day in age, or who is just a fan of J. Cole they will tell you how iconic this part of the song is and how much energy it brings from this small change in the beat.
When I first thought of beats dropping and looping beats my only recognition of this was in rap music or EDM, but you see it across all genres and all generations. From R&B neo soul Classics like Erykah Badu’s “On and On”, to newer pop hit “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie Eilish, it’s in most music. Looking for the continuous beats is music has become one of my favorite things to do when I am listening to my favorite songs, you should try looking for this trend in your own favorite music!
Good posting. You are right – the beat drop happens in all kinds of music. I’ve heard it in rock songs – including the over-the-top “At Home At Work At Play” by Sparks, where the singer and the band stop for a beat, with a pause before it all goes again a full tilt.