Auto Tune (Let It Rock)

Tally ho.

Has anyone else noticed the influx of the "talkbox" effect in mainstream rap as of late? This aurally pleasing effect of auto-tuning ones voice to hop between different pitches in different registers has become one of the most popular tools in the rap game. from Kanye West, to T-Wayne, to E 40 (joke), this over the top doodad (sp) can be heard on almost any recent song from the past couple months or so. Im not debating whether or not this effect has been in use for a decently long time. It has. I remember (and I am sure my generation remembers too) of a certain techno pop group called Eiffel 65, who pretty much killed the talkbox effect in modern pop, at least for awhile. Even before Eiffiel 65, Guitarist and Songwriter Peter Frampton utilized the talkbox to be intwined with his guitar playing, something that is very strange, but not unpleasing to the ear.

I just dont feel that in the longterm, this effect will continue to shine as one of billboard rap's leading attractions.

Kevin Rudolf (Ft. Lil' Wayne)- Let It Rock

Kanye West Swaggers on a Hundred Thousand Trillion, Set to Earn a Hundred Thousand Trillion More This December

Like many of you devoted Amplified readers who have been swept away by Kanye West and his band of merry gangstas, I have been eagerly awaiting the new Kanye West album since the day Graduation leaked last August. On this historic date, September 4th, 2008, less than a year after Graduation was released, Kanye West has announced a new album to be released this coming December. New York Magazine stated that "Kanye West has now solidified his status as the world's most productive person," and us Yeezy-heads at Amplified could not agree more. After writing the story line for animated Good Morning music video, producing a new Jay-Z album, collaborating with "The Internet's Favorite Rappers" T.I., Lil' Wayne, and Jay-Z on the new track Swagger Like Us (featuring the worst use of an M.I.A. sample known to man), traveling the world with the Glow in the Dark tour, launching a restaurant ownership corporation, and writing a book of inspirational quotes given out after every performance, we are still amazed that Kanye can have the time to create fresh new songs about drunk and hot girls while sampling Daft Punk. Kudos.

Kanye West- Good Morning (Video)