— FX’s The Drop: A Snowfall Saga takes a close look at the rise of West Coast rap in the early ’90s, examining the way it intertwined with the street scene and provided a path to prosperity for members of disadvantaged communities. Continuing to impress with its authentic, speaker-knocking soundtrack, FX and 20th Century Studios release “Back To The Hood” and “There Goes The Neighborhood,” two original songs featured in “Family Matters,” the series’ third episode.
Both songs feature production from Larrance “Rance” Dopson, of L.A.’s famed 1500 Or Nothin’ collective, lyrics from Jason “Problem” Martin, and a vocal performance from L.A. rapper Buddy, who portrays rising rapper Artillery in the series.
Built around a sample of Rufus & Chaka Khan’s post-disco classic “Ain’t Nobody,” “Back To The Hood“ is a high-octane rider’s anthem, meant for blasting out of the speakers of a car cruising down Crenshaw. Powered by the thumping bassline and snippets of Chaka’s sublime vocals, “Back To The Hood“ is a rebellious account of Artillery’s double life: on the one hand, he’s a rising rapper attending Hollywood parties and being courted by record labels, while on the other he is still embedded in street life. As he rides the beat, Artillery defiantly proclaims his independence from record company vultures, confident that the survival skills he learned in his neighborhood will help him succeed in any field.
“There Goes The Neighborhood“ gets its vibe from minimalist percussion–a pattern that sounds like it was made by thumping on a table–showcasing the charisma of Buddy as Artillery and a guest star Dajuan “Suga Free” Walker, who trade verbose verses that feel loose despite their technical complexity: “Run your mouth, but bullets you can’t outrun,” spits Artillery. In a series with high stakes, songs like “There Goes The Neighborhood” focus on the joy the characters feel in their artistic expression, a contagious feeling that the audience can’t help but share.
“Back To The Hood” and “There Goes The Neighborhood” are only the latest songs from The Drop‘s soundtrack to make an impact, most recently following the vocal version of “LA Theme Song,” the show’s main title theme, featuring an unheard verse from the late, great Nipsey Hussle. Earlier this month, alongside the series premiere, FX released “Rydah“ and “Officer Blackman,” two original songs performed by Buddy, in character as aspiring rapper Artillery. Stay tuned for more original music from The Drop‘s soundtrack, which will release on streaming the day after each episode airs on Tuesday night, only on FX and Hulu.
In addition, musicians, cast members, and writers from The Drop discuss “Back To The Hood” on the new episodes of Behind The Beat, a short-form companion series that unpacks the music and cultural influences behind The Drop. An immersive journey into the sounds, stories, and community at the heart of the series, Behind The Beat reveals the creative process behind the show’s music, and explains how the show’s songs and stories feed off of each other. All episodes of Behind The Beat are viewable on the official YouTube account of FX Networks.
Stream “Back To The Hood” and “There Goes The Neighborhood” now. Also, be sure to watch Behind The Beat on FX’s YouTube and stay tuned for more news from the new hit series.
