The Art and Influence of Hip Hop
The Art and Influence of Hip Hop
[Jazzy Jay]
Jazzy Jay’s Roland TR-727 Software Rhythm Composer, programmed by Jazzy Jay on 12” Version of LL Cool J's “Rock the Bells” (1985, produced by Rick Rubin) and lent by Jazzy Jay to Rick Rubin for production on the Beastie Boys’ “Hold it, Now Hit It” (1986) from their debut album Licensed to Ill
Lot Closed
March 30, 04:21 PM GMT
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Jazzy Jay’s Roland TR-727 Software Rhythm Composer, programmed by Jazzy Jay on 12” Version of LL Cool J's “Rock the Bells” (1985, produced by Rick Rubin) and lent by Jazzy Jay to Rick Rubin for production on the Beastie Boys’ “Hold it, Now Hit It” (1986) from their debut album Licensed to Ill.
Roland Programmable Rhythm Composer, Model TR-727, No. 586202, 15 by 10 by 3 in. (38.1 x 25.4 x 7.6 cm.), good operational condition, minor tape discoloration to top left, battery cover no longer present.
JAZZY'S JAY'S ROLAND TR-727 SOFTWARE RHYTHM COMPOSER, PROGRAMMED BY JAZZY JAY ON 12” VERSION OF LL COOL J'S “ROCK THE BELLS” (1985, PRODUCED BY RICK RUBIN) AND LENT BY JAZZY JAY TO RICK RUBIN FOR PRODCUTION ON THE BEASTIE BOYS' “HOLD IT NOW, HIT IT” (1986) FROM THEIR DEBUT ALBUM LICENSED TO ILL
Jazzy Jay, indisputably one of the most important DJs and producers in Hip Hop history, began his career as a protégé of Afrika Bambaataa and a member of the Universal Zulu Nation along with his cousin DJ Red Alert. From his early days as a Zulu King dancer in the 70s, he went on to become one of the best and most beloved DJs ever. In addition to DJing at countless street parties and events in the Bronx and beyond, Jazzy Jay played a key role in bridging the Bronx and uptown scenes to the interest and emergence of Hip Hop on the downtown scene spinning at Negril, The Roxy, Danceteria, The Peppermint Lounge, and the Ritz.
According to Rick Rubin, "Of all the DJs, Jay was my favorite, from both a technical and taste standpoint...it just felt like every record Jay picked was good. The way he cut ’em up, and just the way he worked the night, felt the best of anybody." Jazzy Jay and Afrika Islam also figured prominently in early DJ battles, tag-teaming against Grandmaster Flash and Grand Wizard Theodore.
Jay would go on to firmly cement his place in the culture in 1984 when he met Rick Rubin. The two of them laid the initial foundation for a record label that would soon come to be known as Def Jam Recordings. Jazzy Jay also play himself in the 1984 film “Beat Street.” He has influenced generations of artists, producing or playing a hand in numerous hits over a career that has spanned the 50-year lifespan of Hip Hop.
First brought to market in 1985 by the Roland Corporation, the TR-727 Rhythm Composer is a Latin percussion machine featuring fifteen digitally sampled sounds from actual acoustic instruments. This differentiated the kit from Roland's TR-808, which exclusively utilized robotically synthesized sounds.
Condition Report:
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