Rap? Symphonically? On NPR?

January 7, 2009 11:13 PM

Did I really hear a symphonic version of Gangster's Paradise on NPR?a

I've searched high and low on the NPR website, and I'm beginning to think I'm insane. My only recourse is to believe that the song I heard was played by my local affiliate and not by the national station. But the on-air personality claims he had no idea what background music plays.

Is there a symphonic, instrumental version of Coolio's Gangster's Paradise???

posted by jefficator to media & arts (15 comments total)

I remember hearing this on WHYY on my evening commute. Sometime last winter, maybe spring. I remember thinking, "Hey, I know that tune... seems out of context... waaaaaaaait... really?"

I can't help you find it, but you're not crazy. Maybe call WHYY and ask them about it?
posted by Netzapper at 11:31 PM on January 7

It was on either All Things Considered or whatever the news show is... Evening Edition or whatever.
posted by Netzapper at 11:33 PM on January 7

The song is based on Stevie Wonder's Pastime Paradise, which has a string section. You probably heard that, or (more likely) something based on it.
posted by abcde at 11:33 PM on January 7

Actually, no. I checked that. It was distinctly an orchestration of the more complex Coolio version.
posted by jefficator at 11:36 PM on January 7

Or, more accurately, a Yamaha GX1 synth used so well that it may as well be a string section.
posted by abcde at 11:36 PM on January 7

Was it this?

Ray Barretto rocks.
posted by Pollomacho at 5:33 AM on January 8

Or was it this? By Hidden Beach's Unwrapped
posted by Hands of Manos at 7:00 AM on January 8

I think it was probably a version of Pastime Paradise done by Youngblood Brass Band, which incorporates elements of the Coolio song.

You can hear a sample here, although it cuts out right as the main riff starts.
posted by demiurge at 7:39 AM on January 8

Youngblood Brass Band - Pastime Paradise
posted by jckll at 8:03 AM on January 8

FWIW, it's not unusual for NPR to use instrumental pop music that has a "punny" relationship to the story preceding it. (Think "Bittersweet Symphony" played after a story about the shortage of bittersweet chocolate.) Sometimes it's related, sometimes it isn't. What I'm getting at is: you probably heard an "ironic" use of Coolio on NPR.
posted by ColdChef at 8:38 AM on January 8

When I toured the NPR offices last fall, the tour guide mentioned that it wasn't at all unusual for them to be contacted regarding the music they play between segments. So if you know approximately what time it was when you heard this, you might just want to contact NPR and ask them.
posted by HiddenInput at 9:03 AM on January 8

cklennon, that sounds good but I wouldn't categorize it as "symphonic" as jefficator described. More instrumental pop .
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 9:25 AM on January 8

If it's not YBB (great band live, btw), could you further describe the "symphonic" sound? Youngblood Brass Band aren't a full symphony by any means, but are a group of 11 live musicians.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:29 AM on January 8

Are you sure it wasn't just the regular instrumental version of the original song? It sounds very symphonic on its own, especially with the vocals taken out.
posted by amyms at 9:58 AM on January 8

Do you remember what show you were listening to? Most of the NPR shows have a rundown that includes all the interstitial music played. This, for example, is Wednesday night's All Things Considered show. If the show plays music, there's usually a music view that tells you all the songs used.
posted by donnagirl at 6:23 PM on January 8