[Episode 38] This month, barSILENCE is behind the decks for a mixtape-style episode, spinning tracks from games that showcase hip-hop’s undeniable influence on gaming history.

Hip-hop and video games are two cultural powerhouses that have inspired each other for decades. This episode celebrates that intersection of beats and bits, from classic 16-bit grooves to hip-hop artists stepping in as composers.

Whether it’s the funk-infused rhythms of Ristar, the street-art style of Marc Ecko’s Getting Up, or the raw energy and fisticuffs of Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style, hip-hop’s presence in gaming is bold, loud, and unforgettable.

Grab your controller, drop the needle, and press start on the ultimate hip-hop video game music mixtape!

Tracklisting:

00:01:00 - Intro and The Intersection of Hip Hop & Video Games

00:09:44 - Battle with the Giant Robot (Alternate) (Bebe's Kids) [Paul Wilkinson]

00:10:44 - Haunted House (Alternate) (Bebe's Kids) [Paul Wilkinson]

00:11:59 - Title Screen (Rap Jam) [Michel Winogradoff]

00:13:59 - Halftime (NBA Live 95) [Traz Damji, Brian Shaw]

00:16:02 - Title (NBA Showdown) [Traz Damji]

00:18:20 - Unknown (NBA Showdown) [Traz Damji]

00:19:37 - Formation Lap, Ready... Go!! (Ristar) [Tomoko Sasaki, Naofumi Hataya, Masafumi Ogata]

00:21:09 - Base Point (Racing Lagoon) [Noriko Matsueda, Takahito Eguchi]

00:23:56 - Work Your Body (1080° Snowboarding) [Kenta Nagata]

00:25:48 - Boxing - Results (Wii Sports) [Kazumi Totaka]

00:26:26 - Hip De Hop (Shenmue) [Yuzo Koshiro]

00:29:56 - snob (Crackin' DJ) [Hiro]

00:31:37 - Man, This Sucks (Goemon's Great Adventure) [Goemon Production Committee]

00:32:57 - Catch a Bad One (Instrumental) (Marc Eckō's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure) [Del tha Funky Homosapien]

00:35:18 - Strange Flower (Samurai Champloo: Sidetracked) [Masafumi Takada]

00:36:43 - A Vision (Togainu no Chi: True Blood) [Elephant Music]

00:39:02 - BGM 9 (Street Hoops) [Unknown]

00:41:51 - Dark Ages 2 (Norse by Norsewest: Return of the Lost Vikings) [Glenn Stafford]

00:44:26 - Track 5 (Tony Hawk's Motion) [Unknown]

00:48:31 - Still Free Crew! (Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure Soundtrack) [RJD2 & The RZA]

00:50:05 - Interface Loop (Cel Damage) [Egg Plant Productions]

00:52:19 - See Toast Te Ya (The Sims 2 University) [Joe Neckbone (prod. by Da Riffs)]

00:55:16 - Get Up (Menu) (NBA Street Vol. 2) [Jeff Mair]

00:59:04 - Streetball 3 (NBA 2K2) [Da Beatminerz]

01:02:36 - The Educators (NBA Street) [Jason Ross]

01:08:14 - Dynanism (NBA Street) [Jason Ross]

01:10:41 - Work Flow (NBA Street 2) [Just Blaze]

01:12:31 - Act the Fool (NEO: The World Ends with You) [Takeharu Ishimoto]

01:15:12 - Beat 6 Test 1 (Afro Samurai 2: Revenge Of Kuma) [The RZA]

01:17:16 - Outro & Final Track

01:19:56 - Vengeance (Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style) [The RZA]

barSILENCE is a monthly podcast crafted to celebrate and explore the best video game music in the world! You’re here because you enjoy the same thing that I do, and I am grateful for that.

If you want to become a member of the Legion of VGM, consider subscribing to the show on Patreon! As a thank you for subscribing, you can access all 20 episodes of the Bonus Beats podcast! Click here to learn more!

If you want to consider a one-time donation check out the Ko-Fi!

Shout-outs to two fantastic friends of the show and members of the Legion of VGM:

Shujin Academy VGM Club: The creatively themed episodes of this video game music podcast are the brainchild of the venerable Professor Tom. Please listen to and follow this excellent VGM Podcast!

SuperPod Saga: This fantastic video game variety podcast hosted by Aaron, is a show on a mission to discuss every video game topic ever! Give it a listen and follow for weekly episodes!

Additional thanks for this episode go out to:

Fine Time: Dre was an absolutely mega part of helping me get the early drafts of this mixtape together. Go listen to Fine Time for a great time to say thanks!

Serious A: Parisian DJ Serious A’s stellar VGM mixes on 8Beats Radio inspired this episode. Merci! Check out her original music and her funk, house, and hip-hop DJ mixes—and spread the love!

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