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Monday, July 7, 2014
30 Years Ago: Ray Parker Jr. Releases 'Ghostbusters'
Thirty years ago, when the producers of the now-classic supernatural comedy ‘Ghostbusters’ were in the need for a catchy theme song for their nascent film, there was only one man they thought to call; Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. Luckily, when that fell through they reached out to Detroit’s own Ray Parker Jr., who went on to write one of the most recognized title themes in cinema history.
Parker spent his earliest years in the music business as a sideman and session musician for some of the biggest names in soul and funk including Barry White, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock. In 1977, he formed and fronted the group Raydio, which went on to become quite a successful outfit. Just one year after their formation, they scored a top-ten hit with the song ‘Jack and Jill.’
After spending four years in Raydio, Parker decided to break up the band and go it alone. In 1982 he hit it big again with his song, ‘The Other Woman’ from the album of the same name. The single raced up the charts topping out at number four and established the singer as a major player in the early ’80s music scene.
In 1984, the production team for the comedy ‘Ghostbusters’ were putting the final touches on their film and were casting about for someone to write the theme song. Their first thought, as alluded to above, was Lindsey Buckingham, who was friends with Harold Ramis, the co-writer of the movie as well as the actor portraying brainy Ghostbuster Egon Spengler in the film. However, Buckingham — who had already contributed the song ‘Holiday Road’ for the film ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation’ — was reluctant to get pegged as a soundtrack guy and turned them down.
With time running short, they turned to Parker, who agreed to take on the assignment. He soon discovered however, that what appeared to be an easy task from the outset was instead a much bigger challenge than he realized. As he mentioned in an interview with George Cole, “It sounds easy now because you’ve heard the song. But if somebody told you to write a song with the word ‘Ghostbusters’ in it, it’s pretty difficult. That was the hard part — getting the title in the song.”
Parker spent days trying to come up with a solution to this sticky situation, until either fate, some divine force or maybe even a metaphysical being intervened on his behalf. “I was dead, half-asleep — it’s about 4:30 in the morning — and a commercial comes on,” he recalled to mixonline. “They flash this phone number, and it reminded me of a spot in the movie where the Ghostbusters have their packs on and they show a phone number, like they’re advertising. And that was it! I came up with the idea of ‘Who you gonna call?’ And then I thought, there’s no way you’re going to sing ‘Ghostbusters’ in a song and make it sound good, so instead of singing it, I’d have a crowd answer me.”
After he turned it in, everyone agreed that it was a great song, but no one could have predicted the monster hit that it would become. “I like all my songs,” Parker stated. “But, obviously, the ‘Ghostbusters’ thing was so past being huge.” The subsequent music video featured Parker decked out as a ghost haunting a pretty young woman while some of the biggest stars of the day chant the song’s title.
Just a few months after its release, the single displaced the Prince track ‘When Doves Cry’ to take the top spot on the charts, where it remained for three consecutive weeks. It was even nominated for an Oscar, but lost out to Stevie Wonder’s mega-hit ‘I Just Called to Say I Love You’ from the film ‘The Woman in Red.’
‘Ghostbusters’ would go on to sell millions of copies on its way to full platinum certification. It also spawned a number of well-regarded remixes and covers, with the most notable coming from Run D.M.C. for the film’s sequel.
As movie theme songs go, there aren’t many that have reached the rarified air of success that ‘Ghostbusters’ has. Thirty years later it’s still enjoyed by children and adults alike. Some genius even thought to release a special 30th anniversary edition of the single on glow in the dark, slime-colored vinyl this past Record Store Day. Unsurprisingly, it was a big success, sending ‘Ghostbusters’ back up the charts yet again.
Big K.R.I.T. Reveals Producers on 'Cadillactica' Album
There’s no denying Big K.R.I.T.‘s as talented behind the boards as he is on the mic, but if there’s one looming criticism of his work, it’s that it can sound, well, “samey.” Having entirely — if not largely — produced all of his projects so far, the Mississippi native is switching it up with his forthcoming sophomore album, ‘Cadillactica,’ and bringing a host of other premier producers on board.
During a recent interview with DJ Hyphen during KUBE’s Summer Jam in Seattle, Krizzle revealed that DJ Dahi, Terrace Martin and Jim Jonsin will be among those lending beats to his forthcoming LP. Although he’ll still be producing “65 percent” of the project, Krizzle believes his own production has improved after learning from said collaborators.
While he couldn’t say when ‘Cadillactica’ will be dropping, K.R.I.T. promises that “it’s gonna be still hot enough outside for you to ride around with your windows down and your top dropped” by the time it arrives.
Watch his full interview above.
Lil Wayne Sued for Failing to Pay Debt on Young Money Website
It’s a fight over one of the most famous names in hip-hop. YoungMoney.com, a company that helps young business people properly manage their funds, is threatening to take away Lil Wayne‘s Young Money website.
In 2011, the name was sold to Wayne and company for $600,000, since the money management firm had the domain first.
However, there was one condition. Wayne had to keep making payments until the debt was settled or he would forfeit the name entirely. According to TMZ, he failed to do that and owes $250,000 to the money management company. As a result, the lawsuit was filed.
We’ll see if Wayne pays up to keep the name, which serves as a destination to promote the roster of Young Money artists.
Your Old Droog Cooks Up Another Healthy Lyrical Meal With 'Free Turkey'
The secret’s out: Your Old Droog is not some gruff-voiced alter-ego of Nas. Although the cat was swiftly let out of the bag (if there was even a cat in the bag to begin with), the mysterious Coney Island, N.Y., MC has kept people talking. His latest track is proof why.
Taking cues from that one Pookie scene in ‘New Jack City,’ ‘Free Turkey’ offers a healthy serving of delicious — or disgusting, whichever way you look at it — bars that’ll leave your belly feeling bloated by the end of the first verse.
“I spread knowledge through hate and educate / You cater to the masses, the dumbasses,” he spits, just in case you were unsure about which side of the hip-hop fence Droog lies.
The song flips the Heath Brothers’ ‘Smilin’ Billy Suite Pt. II,’ which just so happens to be the same sample used by Nas on ‘One Love.’ That’s Droog’s way of throwing more fuel onto the fire of Internet conspiracies, all with a wry smile smeared across his face.
Listen to Your Old Droog’s ‘Free Turkey’
Iggy Azalea and Rita Ora Heat Up the Stage with 'Black Widow' at 2014 Wireless Festival [VIDEO]
While Kanye West met boos during his 15-minute rant at the 2014 Wireless Festival over the weekend, Iggy Azalea and Rita Ora were met with cheers in London as the two heated up the stage with their performance of ‘Black Widow.’
Both showed off their assets (Iggy more so than Rita) with black bras and mini skirts. However, it wasn’t just their wardrobe choices that stole the show; it was the way they played off each other. These two clearly like to have fun together onstage and even had some sexy dance action at one point of the performance.
Iggy, who was on the bill for this year’s lineup, also performed her hits from ‘The New Classic’ and of course, got the crowd dancing to ‘Fancy.’
The rapper then took her show to the second part of the festival — Birmingham, where she also raised the roof. For those who weren’t the biggest of hip-hop fans and attended the set that day, they were treated to Iggy’s curve-hugging athletic ensemble.
Check out photos below from Iggy and Rita’s performance at the Wireless Festival.
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