Edan
Encyclopedia
Edan aka Edan Portnoy is an American
alternative hip hop
artist. He is an emcee, DJ
and record producer
.
Edan is known for his unique/unlikely take on hip hop
culture, where traditional rap songs are often skewed by 60's rock samples, tape echoes, and foreign language choruses, not to mention the off-beat humor and surrealist imagery incorporated via his lyrics. He often uses techniques such as multisyllabic rhyming and alliteration
in his music. His mix-tape Sound of the Funky Drummer accumulates hip hop
tracks that utilize James Brown's "Funky Drummer
", which has been called the most-sampled record of all time. In 2005, he released the album Beauty and the Beat
, which drew approbation for its lyricism as well as the production. The release was also notable for its graceful marriage of hip hop
and rock-based psychedelia.
in 1997-2000, majoring in production
. The Rockville, Maryland
native had already been experimenting with 4 and 8 track home recording using both live instruments and a Native Tongues
inspired, sample-based approach since 1994. Continuing on this path, Edan completed the officially unreleased album Artchitecture on an 8-track cassette recorder in his dorm room while in his sophomore year. The only tracks to be released from this project appeared on his debut single in 1998. This 12" contains the songs "Sing It, Shitface," "The E's Have It featuring Eric Ferguson" and "Migraine," and was released by the now defunct Boston indie imprint Biscuithead Records. The single introduced Edan's slightly askew humor (sample lyric: "The principal got nervous/When I ran into his office shirtless") and dusty production style to the world.
After leaving Berklee College of Music
in 2001, Edan began work on his official debut album, Primitive Plus
. The single "Rapperfection", which featured MC Mr. Lif
, was released on Sun/Moon Records, after which Edan became the first artist signed to UK label Lewis Recordings
, which released the single "Mic Manipulator." Around this time Edan began performing with several musicians from Berklee under the name Fiber. The band performed mainly in the Boston area, playing Edan's songs interspersed with long jazz improvisations during which he would scratch records through a delay pedal. The affiliation was short-lived, however, as Edan soon left to pursue solo ventures. Primitive Plus
was released in 2002 to critical acclaim. Edan handled all the production, rapping and turntablism on the album, with the exception of guest slots from Mr. Lif and Alaskan Fishermen member Father Time
. In addition, production on one track, "Key-Bored," was done by Memory Man
. The experimental/throwback vibe of the album was also fused with some of the '90s innovations in rhyming and scratching, which led to the album's title, explained on the title track as "primitive plus futuristic".
Edan then released a mixtape, Fast Rap. This collection of golden era burners by luminaries such as Big Daddy Kane
, Kool G Rap
and lesser known mic rippers like Black, Rock and Ron
was credited by some as sparking a renewed interest in "fast rap" and influencing eBay auctions for the records used on the tape.
A non-LP track single, "Drop Some Smooth Lyrics," followed on Edan's own Humble Mag label, backed by the Kool Keith
impression, "Ultra '88." In 2002 he released the lo-fi "Sprain Your Tape Deck EP," which featured some of the CD-only cuts from Primitive Plus and two new tracks. All of these songs had been recorded live in his home studio directly to an ordinary cassette deck after his 8-track finally broke. Deprived of the ability to overdub, all of the EP's scratching, mixing and effects were done live as Edan rapped to a sequencer and drum machine.
Edan then began producing other artists, providing remixes for Mr. Lif
and Souls Of Mischief
, and album cuts like Akrobatik
's "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle" and Mr. Lif's "Live From The Plantation." Teaming up with fellow Boston MC/DJ/producer Insight in 2003, Edan began performing a new live set. "Edan & Insight" (later billed as Duplexx) often incorporate their DJ abilities into performances and tried to establish a high level of showmanship. Edan's "Johnny The Fox" routine involved rhyming with the mic in one hand while cutting up doubles of the Thin Lizzy song's intro with the other, and can be seen performed in the independent film "SBX".
Edan's first single from his follow up album was "I See Colours," a psychedelic track featuring his own Moog synth work over a loop which, as he acknowledged in the lyric, had been used before by Prince Paul
. Edan mixes between two versions of the sampled track in the song's chorus. The lyrics concern psychedelic visions which can be attained without the use of drugs. The b-side, "The Science of the Two," was the first recorded collaboration with Insight
. Released in early 2004, the single whetted fans appetites for what appeared to be a more ambitious direction for his next album. Another mixtape, "Sound Of The Funky Drummer," also appeared in 2004.
Beauty and the Beat
, released in early 2005, was critically well received. The album finds Edan attempting to "put Syd Barrett
's face on Biz Markie
's body" with "Kool G Rap
's brain". The album features Mr. Lif, Insight, Percee-P and Dagha, and is again produced by Edan himself.
Recently, In July 2007 Edan featured on Now-Again Re:Sounds Volume 1, A compilation album from the label Now-Again owned by Egon. The album features the Edan song "Sagittarius Rapp." He also appears on the Cut Chemist
songs "Storm" and "Mean Gene."
Most recently it was revealed, via his appearance at ATP: The Fans Strike Back in May 2009, that Edan is currently working on a mix project tentatively titled 'Echo Party'. The project was released in late 2009.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
alternative hip hop
Alternative hip hop
Alternative hip hop is a sub-genre of hip hop music. Allmusic defines it as follows: -Origin:...
artist. He is an emcee, DJ
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
and record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
.
Edan is known for his unique/unlikely take on hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
culture, where traditional rap songs are often skewed by 60's rock samples, tape echoes, and foreign language choruses, not to mention the off-beat humor and surrealist imagery incorporated via his lyrics. He often uses techniques such as multisyllabic rhyming and alliteration
Alliteration
In language, alliteration refers to the repetition of a particular sound in the first syllables of Three or more words or phrases. Alliteration has historically developed largely through poetry, in which it more narrowly refers to the repetition of a consonant in any syllables that, according to...
in his music. His mix-tape Sound of the Funky Drummer accumulates hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
tracks that utilize James Brown's "Funky Drummer
Funky drummer
"Funky Drummer" is a funk song recorded by James Brown and his band. The recording's drum break, performed by drummer Clyde Stubblefield, is one of the most frequently sampled rhythmic breaks in hip hop and popular music; indeed, it lays a strong claim to being the most sampled recording ever,...
", which has been called the most-sampled record of all time. In 2005, he released the album Beauty and the Beat
Beauty and the Beat (Edan album)
Beauty and the Beat is the second full-length album by American hip hop artist Edan, released on March 29, 2005 on Lewis Recordings. The album received critical acclaim getting 85% on the website Metacritic. It is noted for its idiosyncratic lyrics and eclectic use of samples from several genres...
, which drew approbation for its lyricism as well as the production. The release was also notable for its graceful marriage of hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
and rock-based psychedelia.
Biography
He attended Berklee College of MusicBerklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
in 1997-2000, majoring in production
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
. The Rockville, Maryland
Rockville, Maryland
Rockville is the county seat of Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is a major incorporated city in the central part of Montgomery County and forms part of the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. The 2010 U.S...
native had already been experimenting with 4 and 8 track home recording using both live instruments and a Native Tongues
Native tongues
Native Tongues is a book by the linguist Charles Berlitz.It is a list of words in different languages, etymology and questions with speculations far and wide about words....
inspired, sample-based approach since 1994. Continuing on this path, Edan completed the officially unreleased album Artchitecture on an 8-track cassette recorder in his dorm room while in his sophomore year. The only tracks to be released from this project appeared on his debut single in 1998. This 12" contains the songs "Sing It, Shitface," "The E's Have It featuring Eric Ferguson" and "Migraine," and was released by the now defunct Boston indie imprint Biscuithead Records. The single introduced Edan's slightly askew humor (sample lyric: "The principal got nervous/When I ran into his office shirtless") and dusty production style to the world.
After leaving Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
in 2001, Edan began work on his official debut album, Primitive Plus
Primitive Plus
Primitive Plus is the 'official' debut album of hip hop artist Edan, released on March 19, 2002 on Lewis Recordings. The album includes frequent references to some of the hip-hop 'greats' such as Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, KRS-One and Kool G. Rap...
. The single "Rapperfection", which featured MC Mr. Lif
Mr. Lif
Mr. Lif is an American hip hop artist from Boston, Massachusetts. Often noted for his political lyrics, he has released two studio albums on El-P's Definitive Jux label and one on Bloodbot Tactical Enterprises. Mr...
, was released on Sun/Moon Records, after which Edan became the first artist signed to UK label Lewis Recordings
Lewis Recordings
Founded by Mike Lewis, Lewis Recordings is an underground record label that currently has eight artists signed to it. It is primarily a Hip Hop/Rap label, and arguably its biggest artist is Edan, who has released two full length albums to date under the label...
, which released the single "Mic Manipulator." Around this time Edan began performing with several musicians from Berklee under the name Fiber. The band performed mainly in the Boston area, playing Edan's songs interspersed with long jazz improvisations during which he would scratch records through a delay pedal. The affiliation was short-lived, however, as Edan soon left to pursue solo ventures. Primitive Plus
Primitive Plus
Primitive Plus is the 'official' debut album of hip hop artist Edan, released on March 19, 2002 on Lewis Recordings. The album includes frequent references to some of the hip-hop 'greats' such as Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, KRS-One and Kool G. Rap...
was released in 2002 to critical acclaim. Edan handled all the production, rapping and turntablism on the album, with the exception of guest slots from Mr. Lif and Alaskan Fishermen member Father Time
Father Time
Father Time is usually depicted as an elderly bearded man, somewhat worse for wear, dressed in a robe, carrying a scythe and an hourglass or other timekeeping device...
. In addition, production on one track, "Key-Bored," was done by Memory Man
Memory Man
Memory Man is the third studio album by Aqualung. The album was released on March 13, 2007 in the U.S.. The first single from the album was "Pressure Suit"...
. The experimental/throwback vibe of the album was also fused with some of the '90s innovations in rhyming and scratching, which led to the album's title, explained on the title track as "primitive plus futuristic".
Edan then released a mixtape, Fast Rap. This collection of golden era burners by luminaries such as Big Daddy Kane
Big Daddy Kane
Antonio Hardy better known by his stage name Big Daddy Kane, is an American rapper who started his career in 1986 as a member of the rap group the Juice Crew. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential and skilled MC's in Hip Hop...
, Kool G Rap
Kool G Rap
Nathaniel Thomas Wilson , better known by his stage names Kool G Rap , Kool G. Rap, and Giancana , is an American rapper, from the Corona neighborhood of Queens, New York. He began his career in the mid-1980s as one half of the group Kool G Rap & DJ Polo and as a member of the Juice Crew...
and lesser known mic rippers like Black, Rock and Ron
Black, Rock and Ron
Black, Rock and Ron was an American male rap trio. Their album "Stop the World" was released on the Supreme record label. It entered the UK album charts on 22 April 1989, and reached number 72; it was only in the chart for 1 week....
was credited by some as sparking a renewed interest in "fast rap" and influencing eBay auctions for the records used on the tape.
A non-LP track single, "Drop Some Smooth Lyrics," followed on Edan's own Humble Mag label, backed by the Kool Keith
Kool Keith
Keith Matthew Thornton, better known by his stage name Kool Keith, is an American rapper from The Bronx, New York. A founding member of Ultramagnetic MCs, Kool Keith has recorded prolifically both as a solo artist and in group collaborations. Kool Keith is the self-proclaimed inventor of...
impression, "Ultra '88." In 2002 he released the lo-fi "Sprain Your Tape Deck EP," which featured some of the CD-only cuts from Primitive Plus and two new tracks. All of these songs had been recorded live in his home studio directly to an ordinary cassette deck after his 8-track finally broke. Deprived of the ability to overdub, all of the EP's scratching, mixing and effects were done live as Edan rapped to a sequencer and drum machine.
Edan then began producing other artists, providing remixes for Mr. Lif
Mr. Lif
Mr. Lif is an American hip hop artist from Boston, Massachusetts. Often noted for his political lyrics, he has released two studio albums on El-P's Definitive Jux label and one on Bloodbot Tactical Enterprises. Mr...
and Souls Of Mischief
Souls of Mischief
-Studio albums:-Singles:-External links:* [ Allmusic Biography]* *...
, and album cuts like Akrobatik
Akrobatik
Akrobatik is a rapper from the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. He has collaborated numerous times with many fellow Boston rappers , and recently formed a hip hop collective named The Perceptionists with Mr. Lif and DJ Fakts One....
's "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle" and Mr. Lif's "Live From The Plantation." Teaming up with fellow Boston MC/DJ/producer Insight in 2003, Edan began performing a new live set. "Edan & Insight" (later billed as Duplexx) often incorporate their DJ abilities into performances and tried to establish a high level of showmanship. Edan's "Johnny The Fox" routine involved rhyming with the mic in one hand while cutting up doubles of the Thin Lizzy song's intro with the other, and can be seen performed in the independent film "SBX".
Edan's first single from his follow up album was "I See Colours," a psychedelic track featuring his own Moog synth work over a loop which, as he acknowledged in the lyric, had been used before by Prince Paul
Prince Paul
Paul Huston, better known by the stage name Prince Paul, is an American disc jockey and hip-hop record producer. He was also a founding member of the Gravediggaz where he used the name The Undertaker.- Biography :...
. Edan mixes between two versions of the sampled track in the song's chorus. The lyrics concern psychedelic visions which can be attained without the use of drugs. The b-side, "The Science of the Two," was the first recorded collaboration with Insight
Insight
Insight is the understanding of a specific cause and effect in a specific context. Insight can be used with several related meanings:*a piece of information...
. Released in early 2004, the single whetted fans appetites for what appeared to be a more ambitious direction for his next album. Another mixtape, "Sound Of The Funky Drummer," also appeared in 2004.
Beauty and the Beat
Beauty and the Beat (Edan album)
Beauty and the Beat is the second full-length album by American hip hop artist Edan, released on March 29, 2005 on Lewis Recordings. The album received critical acclaim getting 85% on the website Metacritic. It is noted for its idiosyncratic lyrics and eclectic use of samples from several genres...
, released in early 2005, was critically well received. The album finds Edan attempting to "put Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
's face on Biz Markie
Biz Markie
Marcel Theo Hall better known by his stage name, Biz Markie, is an American rapper, beatboxer, DJ, comedian, singer, reality television personality, and commercial spokesperson. He is best known for his single "Just a Friend", an American Top 10 hit in 1989...
's body" with "Kool G Rap
Kool G Rap
Nathaniel Thomas Wilson , better known by his stage names Kool G Rap , Kool G. Rap, and Giancana , is an American rapper, from the Corona neighborhood of Queens, New York. He began his career in the mid-1980s as one half of the group Kool G Rap & DJ Polo and as a member of the Juice Crew...
's brain". The album features Mr. Lif, Insight, Percee-P and Dagha, and is again produced by Edan himself.
Recently, In July 2007 Edan featured on Now-Again Re:Sounds Volume 1, A compilation album from the label Now-Again owned by Egon. The album features the Edan song "Sagittarius Rapp." He also appears on the Cut Chemist
Cut Chemist
Lucas MacFadden , better known as Cut Chemist, is an American DJ and record producer. He is a former member of the funk Latin band Ozomatli, and of hip hop group Jurassic 5...
songs "Storm" and "Mean Gene."
Most recently it was revealed, via his appearance at ATP: The Fans Strike Back in May 2009, that Edan is currently working on a mix project tentatively titled 'Echo Party'. The project was released in late 2009.
Edan
- 1998 Artchitecture (Unreleased)
- 2002 Primitive PlusPrimitive PlusPrimitive Plus is the 'official' debut album of hip hop artist Edan, released on March 19, 2002 on Lewis Recordings. The album includes frequent references to some of the hip-hop 'greats' such as Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, KRS-One and Kool G. Rap...
(Lewis Recordings) - 2005 Beauty and the BeatBeauty and the Beat (Edan album)Beauty and the Beat is the second full-length album by American hip hop artist Edan, released on March 29, 2005 on Lewis Recordings. The album received critical acclaim getting 85% on the website Metacritic. It is noted for its idiosyncratic lyrics and eclectic use of samples from several genres...
(Lewis Recordings)
Mixtapes
- 2001 Fast Rap
- 2004 Sound of the Funky Drummer
- 2009 Echo PartyEcho PartyEcho Party is a mixtape by hip-hop artist Edan. Edan was given access to the Traffic Entertainment Group vault of old school hip-hop to create the album, resulting in a single track nearly 30 minutes in length.-Release:...
(Five Day Weekend)