Guns and Violence

Now I’m not one to advocate violence, nor am I a member of the NRA. In fact, I totally support gun control, peace, etc. But sometimes guns and violence prove crucial components to some great music, and today I’d like to write about a couple of such songs.

Really, I’d like to focus on a single track, one of my favorite hip-hop tracks of the last couple years: Lil Wayne’s “Shooter,” off of Tha Carter II. “Shooter” features the smooth vocals of Robin Thicke, as well as lyrics about shooting, getting shot, etc. I don’t love it for its lyrical content, but because it has one of the most effective and elaborately layered backing tracks I’ve ever heard.

The beginning is understated, a simple bass line and drum beat with periods of silence between phrases, empty space waiting to be filled by a kicking beat. Then vocals are introduced, and then a lazy guitar riff. And then, at 1:20, the song kicks into gear with the start of Lil Wayne’s first verse. The backing track at times borders on the cacophonous, with brass ensemble, guitars, piano, gunshot sounds, percussion and electronic noises all layered on top of each other underneath the vocals. At one point there’s even a sort of cappella breakdown on the syllables “na nin-na nin nin…” As a former a cappella singer, it’s always nice to hear silly a cappella syllables in music that’s actually good.

Anyways, a great track, give it a listen and check out the intricacies of the background. Lil Wayne’s rapping is great too, and Robin Thicke’s vocals are a nice touch. In addition, I’ve included another gun-themed track from Biggie Smalls, “Machine Gun Funk” off of Ready to Die. My favorite part of this track is the reference to Tina Turner’s classic “What’s Love Got to Do With It” about 2 and a half minutes in. Check it out.

Lil Wayne ft. Robin Thicke - Shooter (YSI) (filesavr)
Notorious B.I.G. - Machine Gun Funk (YSI) (filesavr)