Video explains the world’s most important 6-sec drum loop
This fascinating, brilliant 20-minute video narrates the history of the “Amen Break,” a six-second drum sample from the b-side of a chart-topping single from 1969. This sample was used extensively in early hiphop and sample-based music, and became the basis for drum-and-bass and jungle music — a six-second clip that spawned several entire subcultures. Nate Harrison’s 2004 video is a meditation on the ownership of culture, the nature of art and creativity, and the history of a remarkable music clip.
Duration : 0:18:8
[youtube 5SaFTm2bcac]
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September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
JUNGLE IS MASSIVE!!!
JUNGLE IS MASSIVE!!!
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
shit it was even …
it was even played on an SL1200
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Very interesting …
Very interesting video. Its amazing to think that an entire sub- culture with millions of followers is largley based around a 6 second drum recording from 1969.
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
hardcore really …
hardcore really freaks me out.
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Interesting video
Interesting video
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
And the fact that …
And the fact that it’s a sample, yeah sure but anyone that knows HOW to play drums could recreate this beat (or a similar one) with ease…that’s what I would do, rather than actually lifting this recording.
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
I can understand …
I can understand owning a song, but not a drum beat. So by reading some of these comments, I think “does metallica own the E chord?” no.
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
The first song I …
The first song I heard using the “Amen,Brother” break was “I Desire” by Salt -N-Pepa in ‘86.
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
I agree with the …
I agree with the recycling part as well, but are you saying there should be no mechanical protection or copyright laws? I mean, where would you draw the line between fairness and greed?
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
It is.
It is.
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
ok cool. And thats …
ok cool. And thats how all music should be. i completely agree with the recycling of the old for the use of new expression, and anyone who thinks they deserve money for a certain rhythmic pattern that would have probably inevitably been discovered, is nothing less than greedy.
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
I bet you would …
I bet you would care if you owned the break, and every time it was played publicly, you were owed a piece of royalty dollars. Surprisingly enough, Richard Spencer doesn’t care. Peace to the Winstons, Amen brother…. 6 Seconds of Funk…
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
an awesome and …
an awesome and really educational video! Thanks!!
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
who gives a …
who gives a who owns the beat. They can’t sue
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
prolly not, so many …
prolly not, so many artists have used that exact same break w/o consent.
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
I’ve Been …
I’ve Been Sampleing4yrs. This1Break Has Been Used, Chopped, Screwed, Looped,&Abused By Me&All Other Producers From The 6(Columbus OH)If U Ain’t Sliced The Amen,4Urself, Smoke It Like The Winstons. They Don’t Mind!!!{NO DISS RESCEPT}
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
A very logical …
A very logical synopsis of the history and indeed the mutation of just one 6 second loop.
For music to evolve it must go through mutational periods and the “amen” loop shows this ideal perfectly.
Well done.
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
and in Pendulum’s …
and in Pendulum’s remember me, there is a very similar break after the intro
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
one thing that …
one thing that always struck me as unfair about sampling & copyright law is that, when a drum break is sampled, the person holding the WRITING CREDIT for the song gets the royalty, not the musician playing. when you hear “funky drummer” sampled, that’s clyde stubblefield on drums, yet he gets no royalty money from ANY of those samples, James Brown’s estate does, since James alone holds the writing credit (though clyde probably made up that beat on the spot).
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
yep that about sums …
yep that about sums it up. the first time i heard the original i was blown away. i think it was 1996 at rp smacks apartment. thank god, for the guys keeping track of all this!
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
i just made a 4 bar …
i just made a 4 bar loop outta those samples..and it sounds nice but am i gonna get sued?
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
sooo..the amen reak …
sooo..the amen reak was basically what STARTED DNB..??..fucking greatt
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
music lover..they …
music lover..they love listening to nothing but music with nothingto interfeer..spelling is weird but im sure you got it.. im the sam way though
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
I really hope the …
I really hope the guy who made this gets all the grant money he needs to continue making docs.
September 28th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
perfect job !
perfect job !