DJ Jim Q's Playlist: Release
Release is the theme and I’m sure we could all benefit from a little decompression, I know I could. The playlist is composed of varied perspectives related to relief. Letting go, breaking free, bustin’ loose and goin’ off—it’s all about liberation and the expression of pressure. Tension has release, expansion has compression, these oscillations are the rhythm of all excitement. We leverage these competing forces in visual art, music and storytelling for dynamics, it’s as fundamental as breathing. Contrast enhances the strengths of both states. Release is that much more satisfying in relation to the pressure it is alleviating. So to appreciate the release, you have to embrace the constriction. At least that’s one way to look at it.
We recently lost a great artist and legendary personality, MC extraordinaire, the Diabolical Biz Markie. Biz Markie was a ubiquitous presence in early hip hop. You could find him making guest appearances on records from Big Daddy Kane, Beastie Boys, De La Soul, Kool G Rap, Beatnuts and many others from the golden era of hip hop. His distinct muffled-mouth lyrical style was endlessly sampled and integrated in other songs as hooks or motifs. He was a skilled lyricist, DJ, producer and one of the pioneering beatbox artists of hip hop. I think the most charming thing about Biz Markie was his self-deprecating humor and his overt exuberance. His comfort with being silly only made his immense talent feel that much more effortless. He never took himself too seriously, but his influence is without question. It seems like everyone in the hip hop community absolutely loved him and wanted to work with him. While I was saddened when I heard the news of his death, I was also moved by the flood of celebration and recognition that poured out in the days after his passing. The Biz is gone, but we still have his records to keep his voice alive. I included one of those songs on the playlist, “Biz is Goin’ Off”. Nobody beats the Biz.
The theme this month was selected by the Portsmouth chapter. I have not yet visited the New Hampshire port town, but it’s on my bucket list. However, in my virtual visit to the third oldest city in the US, I was able to select a few great regional artists for the playlist. My research also revealed, much to my delight, the the one and only Ronnie James Dio, heavy metal siren and the guy who brought us the devil horn hand gesture was born in Portsmouth. I suppose it is possible you don’t know Dio, but you definitely know the hand gesture he introduced us all to. The now ubiquitous hand sign with index finger and pinky up with your middle and ring fingers with the thumb pinning them down signals a vague yet affirmative “hell yes.” 🤘 At this point it’s almost as normalized as the thumbs up. When he was a child, according to Dio, his superstitious Italian grandmother who would use the hand gesture to ward off evil spirits as they strolled to town together, that’s pretty metal.
Unleash, relax and let go, August’s theme is release. This is an unbridled song list filled with stories of emancipation, liberation, freedom and relief. From Queen Diva of NOLA bounce, Big Freedia, to the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, there is surely something here that will free your mind and release your soul.
Thanks for listening. If you enjoy these playlist, please share them. If you’re so inclined, say hello on Twitter and follow me on Spotify. See you next month.