Damn, Luda.
In other words, Ludacris has dropped his latest single, “How Low,” and it is, as they say, fiya.
Luda’s flow on this song is amazing. He zips through the verses with machine gun speed, yet every word is clear. His voice also bobs and weaves around the slamming beat, making the song feel textured and exciting.
But let’s address the obvious, shall we? The “chipmunk voice” in the chorus. Rappers have been using this effect since at least P.M. Dawn, but it rarely appears on big, mainstream singles (see note below). Will it alienate people? Annoy them? Possibly. But for me, since it isn’t overused, the effect injects “How Low” with Ludacris’ trademark playfulness. He’s one of the only major rapper who doesn’t take himself seriously all the time—he’s even been known to smile—so it makes perfect sense for him to have a naughty chipmunk in his crew. (How do you think they’ll deal with the effect in the video? A cartoon Ludacris who climbs up women’s skirts? A claymation critter smoking a bowl?)
I can’t quite call “How Low” a masterpiece, since it’s yet another ode to booties dropping in clubs, but despite his lack of narrative inspiration, Ludacris has still delivered a hot hit.
Note: Please check the comments section of this post. A comment from Emily elucidated the deep history of the chipmunk effect, which added to my appreciation of “How Low.”
6 responses so far ↓
1 badkittyuno // Dec 10, 2009 at 2:26 pm
I really don’t care for the chipmunk voice. It sounds like Alvin is singing back up. Other than that, I really like the song, so I hope I can get past my annoyance.
It is amusing to watch my dog as she listens to that high pitched noise, though. She’s trying to eat my laptop.
2 Emily // Dec 10, 2009 at 4:54 pm
The origin of the chipmunk voice in rap? “Jam On It” by Newcleus.
3 Mark Blankenship // Dec 10, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Thanks, Emily! Your comment led me to research Newcleus, whom I didn’t know anything about. According to Wikipedia, they dropped the chipmunk sound even a few year’s before “Jam On It” with their first big single, “Jam-On’s Revenge,” which was released in 1983.
That means that even though Ludacris’ choice may sound bizarre to contemporary ears, it is actually rooted in hip-hop’s earliest days. He’s going super-duper old school.
Here’s the Wikipedia entry, for those who want to see it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newcleus
4 Emily // Dec 11, 2009 at 2:44 pm
You’re welcome, Mark! God, I’m old.
5 J // Dec 13, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Don’t forget Parliment Funkadelic
Starchilds enemy was Sir Nose D’Voidoffunk who had a chipmunk like voice.
6 katy // Dec 14, 2009 at 10:47 am
Having googled the track itself, I’m a little bit in love with Newcleus’s “Jam-On’s Revenge.” All those wikki-wikki-wikkis! And I especially like when the chipmunk says, “hey boss, de plane, de plane!”
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