BeatSession 10|04|11

Original Sample:

You Can’t Blame Me by Johnson, Hawkins, Tatum & Durr

I imagine that every artist looks forward to that day when their kids call them uncool. I know I look forward to it. I’ll tell them that they’re wrong and that I was part of a hip hop group back in college, Generation ILL, and this dope ass movement called The Weekly Beat Sessions.

Enter Al Dawson: one-fourth of an unsigned soul group called The Revelations from Columbus, Ohio.

It’s 1971 and Bill Moss from Capsoul Records hears the group audition and wants to sign them. But first, Bill Moss decides to rename the group using each of their last names. Simple enough, right? Thus, the group was renamed Johnson, DAWSON, Tatum & Durr. Nice… Now it’s time to record their first single, “You Can’t Blame Me”. Done. Now it’s time to press the vinyl and apply the labels. Bill Moss proudly applies the labels which read Johnson, HAWKINS, Tatum & Durr. WAIT what– Who the hell is Hawkins!? Turns out that Bill Moss accidentally swapped Dawson for Hawkins. I imagine him giving the 1971 equivalent of a *kanye shrug* when Al Dawson finds out about the error.

This is why I feel for Al Dawson. For years, he was probably telling his kids that he was part of some soul group from the early 70s. Maybe they never believed him. I mean, the group and the 45s are THAT rare. Then 2005 comes around and a label (Numero Group) unearths the old 45s and releases it in a compilation. But his kids still don’t believe him because it says HAWKINS not DAWSON. Damn, Al Dawson can’t win.

Well, I hope that one day Al Dawson’s children Google their father’s name and stumble upon this post. Because Al Dawson is indeed the “Hawkins” in Johnson, Hawkins, Tatum & Durr. And for that, he is cool.

Quick Update:
► MEH MOGYA/SAMPLE OF ME: Limited Edition Vinyl | by Larry Achiampong (Blackph03nix)

peace, @illa0804/@generationill

Featured Beats and Producers:

MVP-Big L (Mr. Kwazi ReFIX) by Mr. Kwazi (Ontario, Canada)

10 Meter Dash feat. Verb & JedLi by JedLi of People’s Future (Manila, Philippines)

Frankie Payne-Hard Headed Remix by Hi-Rock (Toronto, Canada)

Damp Knees by Bruce Juice (Orlando, FL)

It Was Me by Paper Son (Los Angeles, CA)

Thirty-One by Sideways (Portland, OR)

Embrace (Autumn’s Return) by NeV (Augusta, GA)

The Girl by Ant Hearn (Southampton, England)

Gone & Come Back by Ambush feat Tony Decks (Charlotte, NC)

Living is Harder by Blackph03nix (London, England)

(We BrainStorm) Tha Teacha remix by Sev Seveer (Chicago, IL)

At First Sight by thadizzie1 (San Francisco, CA)

When You Find by Enfinity (Winter Park, FL)

Fonzie by Kam0 (Paris, France)

The Drive Home by Def Justice (Washington, DC)

ITSUPTOU JOINT by Mr. Klimatic (Toledo, OH)

Sweet Sixteen by Agent Smith 78 (Chicago, IL)

That’s What I Want by 1stup (Greensboro, NC)

I Miss Real Hip Hop by Kritikul (Miami, FL)

60 Minutes by Grayscale (Richmond, VA)

Ok Here’s The Plan by Morris Chestnut (Gainesville, FL)

Beat6 by Dondon aka Proven (Paranaque, Philippines)

Rise & Shine by SPNZ (Makati City, Philippines)

ATLiens (Dingo Remix) by Dingo (Detroit, MI)

What I Want by @ProdbyDrew (Fresno, CA)

puh puh puh puh puh puh pum by Chrizo (Las Piñas, Philippines)

Other Songs Which Use This Sample:

On My Way by Curren$y (2009)

When You Find by Wiz Khalifa (2009)

Booth N Da Sky by Big K.R.I.T. (2009)
Represent by Jester and Don Martin (2009)
What Goes On by Mobb Deep (2009)
Big Dreamers by Reks (2008)