Funky Tech Radio

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 93: Can’t Tell Me Nothing   This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to 'Can’t Tell Me Nothing ’ by Kanye West. This riff is similar to the title of the track: an epic statement thats simple and straight to the point. We rocking in F minor, dorian mode, so lets let the vibes speak! @kanyewest Subscribe:  Funky Tech Radio is on...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 92: July 3rd  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to 'July 3rd’ by People Under The Stairs. Yup, another PUTS jam with another fire bass line. I feel bad because this song is so fire, but its literally about a bad day. So bittersweet. We’re in F Major this week so lets get to it! @piecelock70 Subscribe:  Funky Tech Radio i...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 91: Blast If I Have To  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to 'Blast If I Have To’ by E-A Ski. I was watching Friday not too long ago, and once the beat dropped on the drive by scene, I dropped this track into my to learn list. This funky bass line is in D minor and has a groovy Curtis Mayfield feel to it. Lets blast...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 90: E Business  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to 'E Business’ by People Under The Stairs. A groovy bass line from a familiar sample is whats on the menu today. The title kind of gives away which key we’re in this week: E Major. Lets breakdown the fundamentals and finger work needed to pull this one off! @piecelock70 Subsc...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 89: Nic’s Groove  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to 'Nic’s Groove’ by The Foreign Exchange. Oh yes, we gotta add some Phonte in the mix. This song is super smooth and the bass is jumping. Had to add it immediately. We’re in D Major, so lets groove! @feofficial @phontigallo @nicolaymusic Subscribe:  Funky Tech Radio is on S...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 88: Astro Black  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to 'Astro Black’ by Quasimoto. This song pays homage to the legendary Sun Ra, who has a song by the same name. We’re in Db Major this week although we never touch the note. I love how this song sounds and feels, full of pure vibrations! @quasimoto Subscribe:  Funky Tech...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 87: Spaceship  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to 'Spaceship’ by Kanye West. This riff is such a joy to play, and one you get your hands around it, its easy to add your soulful taste to it. This riff is in F Minor, and the chord progression is A1. Time for take off! @kanyewest Subscribe:  Funky Tech Radio is on Spotify, Anc...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 86: Rhinestone Cowboy  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to 'Rhinestone Cowboy’ by Madvillain. Alright y’all. This has to be one of the most difficult transcriptions to date. Madly is so dope at sampling that’s hard to really tell what the bass line actually is. Listening to the original sample only got me in the ba...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 85: Children’s Story  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to 'Children’s Story’ by Slick Rick. Even though this riff is super simple, we pay homage to the legends over here. Plus, that bass line is still iconic, so don’t trip. Lets add this one to the arsenal! @therulernyc Subscribe:  Funky Tech Radio is on Spotify, Anchor...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 84: Comin' for Datazz  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to 'Comin' for Datazz' by Gang Starr. We got a smooth four note riff in F minor this week, and I breakdown different variations of playing this riff due to sample science. Its dope, so lets hit it! @djpremier Subscribe:  Funky Tech Radio is on Spotify, An...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 83: Luck of Lucien  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to 'Luck of Lucien' by A Tribe Called Quest. This smooth riff is in A major with an added 9th, which gives it its jazzy flavor. Easy on the hands (but not too easy), and super fun to play. Good luck! @atribecalledquest @qtiptheabstract @alishaheed @jarobiwhite Su...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 82: Friday   This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to ‘Friday' by Ice Cube. A nice cool down from last weeks lesson, this week we get to groove hardbody with a four note riff in C minor to some smackin’ ass drums. Happy Friday ya’ll! @icecube @djpooh Subscribe:  Funky Tech Radio is on Spotify, Anchor.fm,  and...

Funky Tech Radio 61: Operation Doomsday April 20 marked the 20th anniversary of the innovative classic Operation Doomsday. Well, according to @koolboblove that date is impossible, but we already celebrated!  Episode 61 of Funky Tech Radio finds its way into the Supervillain’s lair and gets lit with MF DOOM. As one of my favorite MC’s of all time, this was definitely a gem of an episode. And i...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 81: Good Dank   This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to ‘Good Dank ’ by Wiz Khalifa. Ya’ll ready to work? Good dank is earned, not given! This riff in C# minor was one of, if not the first riff I attempted to learn once I started playing the bass. I quickly realized that my hands were not ready...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 80: Buddah Lovaz  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to ‘Buddah Lovaz’ by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. We’re cooling out and taking it easy this week with this four note riff in F. Sometimes you just gotta bask in the groove and let it take the lead. Next week will be a different story, so get ready! @btnhlive Subscribe:  Funky...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 79: America’s Most Blunted  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to ‘America’s Most Blunted' by Madvillain. What better song to start off April than this one? We’re in A major this week and we’ll be grooving all month, so stay locked in! @madlib @quasimoto @gasdrawls Subscribe:  Funky Tech Radio is on Spotify, Anchor.fm, &n...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 78: Oh My God  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to ‘Oh My God' by A Tribe Called Quest. Our Tribe is holding us down with a funky bass line that hits the soul! We remain in C# minor, but we’re hitting some blue notes this week. Groove season! @atribecalledquest @qtiptheabstract @alishaheed @jarobiwhite Subscribe: ...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 77: Ski Mask Way  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to ‘Ski Mask Way' by 50 Cent. I remember first hearing this lick back when The Massacre dropped and it stuck with me to this day. We’re grooving in C# minor this week and working with four notes. Mask up! @50cent Subscribe:  Funky Tech Radio is on Spotify, Anchor.fm, &n...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 76: Who Got The Camera?  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to ‘Who Got The Camera?' by Ice Cube. I had put y’all on game with this funky groove. It’s unfortunate that the message on this song is still relevant today, but timeless music is gonna do its thing: keep us informed and aware. We’re in A majo...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 75: Quik’s Groove  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to 'Quik’s Groove' by DJ Quik. You know we show love to west coast funk legends over here. This progression moves us through C minor and F minor. Only 3 notes. What ya’ll waiting for? Time to groove! @djquik Subscribe:  Funky Tech Radio is on Spotify, Anchor.fm,  and a...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 74: I Remain Calm  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to 'I Remain Calm' by The Roots. Take heed to the title of the track, for this riff may seem more complicated than it needs to be. We take our time to dissect this jazzy groove in B minor. The vibe is always worth the effort, lets get it! @theroots @blackthought @quest...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 73: The Suite For Beaver Pt. 2  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to 'The Suite For Beaver Pt 2’ by the People Under The Stairs. This is definitely up there as one of favorite hip hop basslines of all time. Super chill and groovy accompanied by the feel good party vibe bars of the PUTS crew. This riff is a chord progress...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 72: Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to ‘Protect Ya Neck (The Jump Off)’ by the Wu Tang Clan. Had to hit y’all with this clan classic in C minor. Only three notes, which usually means the groove is strong - y’all already know it is! So lets go! @wutangclan Subscribe:  Funky Tech...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 71: It’s Good to Be Here  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to ‘It’s Good to Be Here’ by Digable Planets. Talk about a feel good track! Shout out to group for being strong funk providers, this track is another example of the power of the funky hip hop vibe. We’re rocking out in Bb Minor this week, only four notes. Aye! @offic...

Hip Hop Riff Of The Week 70: Electric Relaxation  This week, we will be learning how to play the bass line to ‘Electric Relaxation’ by A Tribe Called Quest. The time has come to tackle one of the dopest hip hop bass lines of all time. I wanted to get into to this one years ago, but to my surprise there are multiple interpretations of this 3 bar chord progression....