LOOKIN’ FOR THE PERFECT BEAT THROUGH BRASS GOGGLES? The Marriage of Steampunk and Hip Hop!

George Clinton…Bootsy Collins…Flavor Flav.

Do these men evoke images of an age of invention, adventure and experimentation for you as they do for me?

These men inspire my Steampunk writings. Their style; their music; their live performances – to me – are the root of Steamfunk, the interpretation of Steampunk by writers and musicians of African descent (i.e. “Black folks”).

Now, before you blow a cog, let me remind you that, as Joshua Pfeiffer, founder of the Steampunk band Vernian Process, and co-founder of the Steampunk-centric record label/collective Gilded Age Records, says – “There is no defining element to Steampunk music. Steampunk music is different to every individual’s interpretation of it.”

Right on, Josh!

Mr. Pfeiffer goes on to say – “The only true definition (of Steampunk) could be – ‘Music created by Steampunk fans, or music that Steampunk fans find invokes the atmosphere they expect from a Steampunk setting or aesthetic’. Steampunk music, as I see it, more often than not consists of a mixture of genres; usually a mixture of genres from various periods in music history; be it Ragtime with Punk Rock, Industrial and Neo-Classical, Chamber music and Electronica, Swing and Hip-Hop, or any other variety of combinations. The only constant element that must be present is some form of vintage – 19th or early 20th Century – musical influence.”

Well said and the very same definition could be used to describe Hip Hop music (other than the constant element of 19^th or early 20^th Century music, of course). Why? Because Hip Hop and Steampunk are cut from the same cloth.

Don’t believe me? Disagree? Read on.

READ THE COMPLETE BLOG AT: http://chroniclesofharriet.wordpress.com/2012/04/25/lookin-for-the-...