The Rap Star [EN]: Chapter 14

< Verse 1. Run this town >

“Can you do Run-DMC’s ‘Walk This Way’?”

However, no one in Golden Finger knew Run-DMC’s ‘Walk This Way,’ and they didn’t know much about Run-DMC either. Some of the audience members were just saying, ‘Where have I heard that name before?’

‘This shows the position of hip-hop in Korea in 2005.’

Sanghyun spoke again.

“Then, um… I don’t know the name of your band. What should I call you? Anyway, do you know the band Aerosmith?”

The leader of Golden Finger was slightly annoyed that Sanghyun didn’t know their name, but scoffed at the mention of Aerosmith.

“Our band’s name is Golden Finger. And is there any band that doesn’t know Aerosmith?”

Aerosmith, a rock band formed in 1970.

A group that is considered the best American rock band of all time, having sold over 150 million albums worldwide, with numerous hit songs and over 30 platinum albums.

To the general public, they were a band famous in Korea for their 11th album , which topped the Billboard charts, and ‘I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing,’ the OST [original soundtrack] for the movie ‘Armageddon,’ which also topped the singles chart.

However, Sanghyun didn’t really know that Aerosmith was a famous band.

He had only heard one of Aerosmith’s songs.

“Ah, I didn’t know they were such a famous band.”

Sanghyun approached Golden Finger.

“Then, can you play Aerosmith’s ‘Walk This Way’?”

The leader of Golden Finger hesitated at Sanghyun’s words.

‘I think I’ve heard the song before….’

He remembered that the electric guitar sound was quite good, but he couldn’t remember the melody or the sound.

Then, funky drum sounds began to be heard from somewhere. Basic but light drum lines… and then sophisticated electric guitar. The players were the drummer and guitarist from the L&S band, who happened to be without a vocalist today. Soon, the bass joined the sound. In an instant, a funky electronic sound was completed.

The audience, who had been staring boredly, began to nod their heads and move to the rhythm.

Aerosmith’s ‘Walk This Way,’ which reached number 10 on the Billboard singles chart in 1977. The sophisticated lines, which were hard to believe were created in the 70s, combined with the players of 2005, quickly created a tremendous sound.

“Isn’t that the song from the 2001 Super Bowl? The one with Britney Spears?”

The guitarist from the band L&S asked Sanghyun. But Sanghyun didn’t know about the Super Bowl.

“I don’t know much about that.”

“Anyway, it seems like the Golden Finger guys don’t know this song, so can we play it?”

“Ah, go ahead.”

The leader of Golden Finger nodded awkwardly.

Did their spectrum of performance seem narrow?

‘They might not know one song.’

Anyway, the important thing is that Golden Finger’s image is not lost, and that high schooler screws up with his poor skills. Whether Golden Finger plays or L&S plays, the important thing is singing ability.

“Hey, what’s your name? For your information, I’m also from Unsan High School.”

The bassist of L&S asked Sanghyun.

“Lee Sanghyun.”

“Okay. Is there anything you want to request about the performance?”

Sanghyun recalled the Walk This Way he had just heard from the band L&S. It was a complete and funky electronic sound, but it was Aerosmith’s song. Sanghyun wants the sound of Run DMC.

“Ah, I don’t know much about musical terms or playing techniques, so I’ll explain it in simple terms. Is there anyone here who plays the keyboard?”

“I’ll play it!”

Miju, who had been restless, came forward. The guitarist of L&S laughed.

“Miju, what about your part-time job? You’ll get scolded by the boss?”

“Ah, I don’t care. How should I play it? Sanghyun?”

Shamelessly calling the name she heard a few seconds ago in a friendly manner. Sanghyun chuckled and quickly explained the performance. The audience had been waiting too long.

“Can you play the electric guitar line you just played on the keyboard as is? Then, change that melody to a sparse and sharp sound and play it. Raise the octave way up.”

“What kind of abstract request is that? Sparse?”

Miju grumbled and started playing the keyboard. She didn’t know exactly what ‘sparse’ meant, but it seemed like he wanted the sound to be a bit empty.

Originally, Run DMC’s Walk This Way doesn’t have a keyboard, but a DJ’s turntable. Sanghyun was trying to replace the richness of the sound that the DJing and second guitar had filled with a keyboard.

He didn’t know about instruments or musical theory, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have a sense for it.

“A little faster! No, too fast. A little slower……”

The drums came in to match the speed of the keyboard at Sanghyun’s direction. It was the opposite of usual, so the drums struggled for a moment, but soon matched the speed.

A beat that is slightly faster than Aerosmith’s original version. Then comes the electric guitar and bass.

“Turn up the guitar sound a bit more. More, more. This is a guitar-centered song rather than drums. The role of the drums is the snare role that determines the measure. Therefore, what’s important in drums is cutting off the sound sharply.”

“What are you talking about?”

“So… in black music like hip-hop, you divide the measures with a snare, right? Like a computer sound? With that kind of feeling.”

The drummer of L&S didn’t understand even with Sanghyun’s additional explanation.

When you think about it, it may be natural that the bands of 2005 were ignorant of hip-hop. It could be that Sanghyun couldn’t explain it because he didn’t know musical terms.

Sanghyun eventually gave up explaining.

Still, the sound was captured faster than expected. It’s different from the Run DMC’s Walk This Way that I remember in my head, but this has its own feel.

In particular, Miju’s keyboard was surprisingly delicious.

Sanghyun finally checked the lyrics.

This song is one of the few foreign rap tracks that Sanghyun knows the lyrics to. However, hip-hop enthusiasts who know about Walk This Way will say that it is natural to memorize this song.

“Ready?”

“Yes.”

The bassist of L&S, who was unusually kind because he was a senior from Unsan High School, tapped Sanghyun on the shoulder.

‘I shouldn’t have worn my school uniform.’

However, Sanghyun was gradually getting used to being treated casually.

“Introduce yourself.”

Sanghyun stepped forward and grabbed the microphone. The audience, who had been waiting for a long time, focused on Sanghyun.

“I think you’ve been waiting for over 30 minutes. Right?”

“It’s okay. It was fun!”

A group of middle school girls answered. Other audience members thought that it was boring at first, but thanks to the process of building a song on the spot, it was not boring.

“I’m Lee Sanghyun, a second-year student at Unsan High School. I’m a little nervous. Let’s start.”

Sanghyun stepped forward slightly and grabbed the microphone. The drummer of L&S shouted loudly.

“Just Rock N Roll!”

The audience, including the L&S performers, shouted together. This was the signature sound that L&S shouted every time they started performing.

A dull drum exploded and an electric guitar with the volume turned up began to cry. A sharp keyboard coming in in an instant!

It was that moment.

“Wait a minute. Please stop the performance.”

The sound, which had started perfectly without a single mistake, was stopped by Sanghyun’s interference. The performers, who had received a rare feeling of perfect ‘harmony’ that was difficult to feel even during an actual performance, stopped playing with dissatisfaction.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding. What I’m trying to do is not rock music.”

Sanghyun said very quietly, holding the microphone.

“Respect Run DMC.”

Respecting Run DMC.

“Shout out to mine.”

For my music.

“Let’s go!”

At Sanghyun’s voice, the drums opened fire, and soon the electric guitar sound began to fill the venue.

< Verse 1. Run this town > end

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