Rock’n Me 5: Talking About Western Music - The Delicious World of Mashups

Hello! I’m Joshua and I love to talk about Western music.
In my previous columns, I’ve taken deep dives into specific artists, but this time I’m switching things up to talk about remixed works called “mashups”.

Have you ever heard the term “mashup”? Simply put, it refers to a work (or the process) that remixes two or more songs. It’s not just about layering tracks together by using vocals, instrumental tracks (sometimes unreleased), or even recordings you’ve played yourself, mashups make it possible for “B singing on A’s track,” creating a surreal collaboration that transcends time and genre. With the rise of YouTube, mashups have evolved not only in audio but also in video, producing astonishing works for both the ears and eyes.

Putting aside the detailed explanations, the best way to understand this method is to experience it for yourself. So, let me introduce the “recipe” in the style of a popular cooking site.

Got the idea? Many DJ artists are creating mashups of famous songs in this way. Levels vary widely, from obvious amateurs to clear professionals, but my recommended mashup artists are Bill McClintock and DJ Cummerband.

Bill McClintock’s specialty is “impossible combinations that taste amazing when mixed,” which can be likened to a double soup blend in ramen. For example, Van Halen and AC/DC performing together—not literally double soup, but it’s a collaboration. Imagine Eddie Van Halen playing with Malcolm & Angus Young brothers in the background, a dreamlike double soup that no one has ever tasted before. Of course, Eddie and Malcolm are in heaven now.

■ Bill McClintock “Thunderjump”

Alternatively, there’s the collaboration between the “King of Pop” Michael Jackson and the “God of Guitar” Eric Clapton, called “Billie Cocaine”. The scene where Michael is pulled from the afterlife to perform together must exist in a parallel world rather than this one.

■ Bill McClintock “Billie Cocaine”

On the other hand, DJ Cummerbund’s characteristic is combining many elements and making it overwhelmingly rich, which could be likened to a Jiro-style ramen. One of his representative works, though I’m not sure if it’s truly representative, is “Earth, Wind & Ozzys”, which has over 4.1 million views (at the time of writing). As the name suggests, it combines the hit song “September” by the 1970s funk band Earth, Wind & Fire (often heard in coffee commercials recently) with Ozzy Osbourne’s debut hit “Crazy Train”.

■ DJ Cummerbund “Earth, Wind & Ozzys”

The promotional video for Earth has a distinctly retro feel, featuring a large ensemble band dressed in cosmic outfits, with heavy use of visual afterimages in the editing. On the other hand, in Ozzy’s now-iconic promotional video, we can still see a fresh-faced Ozzy. One might expect the guitar solo to be played by the late Randy Rhoads, but instead it’s performed by Japanese guitarist Yumen Miyazawa, recognized by Guinness as a prodigy. The disregard for categories and timelines is simply hilarious, and it powerfully underscores the futility of trying to discuss music purely by genre.

Alternatively, there’s a video created using “Jump” as the source—again, not a dish, but a video that offers a different, more melancholic flavor compared to Bill McClintock’s works. The mashup ingredients include Gloria Gaynor’s 1976 disco hit “I Will Survive” and other Van Halen tracks. Note: when sampling this video, do not try to watch it while eating anything else—you’ll end up spitting it out from laughter.

■ DJ Cummerbund “I Will Jump”

…Even as I write this, I worry that the true flavor won’t come across if you don’t know the original sources. Take my advice: use this as an opportunity to enjoy the original artists’ works. It will refine your taste.

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