I never thought to mesh the sounds of Hip-Hop and the violin together. It’s seemingly a clash of not only ideas, but of cultures and sound. Hip-Hop is traditionally considered music of the streets/city and characterized by bass; the violin is typically used in orchestras and classical music and is known for a different lighter sound.
Apparently, Miri Ben-Ari didn’t see the barriers and proceeded in eradicating that thought process. A classically trained and Grammy winning artist, she had worked with some of the more recognized names in music from Patti Labelle and Wynton Marsalis to Kanye West and Jay-Z. Still don’t think you’ve heard her music? Let’s see, “Jesus Walks”, “Overnight Celebrity”, “Fallin'”, and “King of Kings” by Don Omar. She is on all of those and more.
She used her status and relationships to create a collaboration titled the same as her moniker, The Hip Hop Violinist [Released: September 20, 2005; Label: Universal/Cash Money/Blackground}. She enlists the help of Kanye to produce along with appearances by Anthony Hamilton, Lil’ Mo, Doug E. Fresh, John Legend, Fatman Scoop, Pitbull, Pharoahe Monch, Ghostface Killer, Akon, E-40, Joe Budden, Algebra, Scarface, Baby, Styles P, Fabolous, Musiq and Lil’ Wayne amongst others, to create a good album. Some of the music lacks substance, but that’s more the exception than the rule. If you can find it, it is definitely worth a purchase.
The best songs on the album are “Sunshine To The Rain”, “Fly Away”, “New World Symphony”, “Hold Your Head Up High”, “Sick Wit Da Flip”, & “4 Flat Tyres”.
Bottom Line:
Add some diversity to you Hip-Hop collection with this one. Miri only uses her voice in the intro and lets her violin be the backdrop for the rest of the album. It helps give a lot of the songs that little something extra to keep your head noddin’. Besides, it was produced by Kanye; I hear that kid is pretty good.
As you peep the samples I left, make sure you TURN YO HEADPHONES UP. Til next time, wooooooooo.