Early last month, we got word that Harmonix had licensed four hip hop and dance tunes for an unnamed project. Whatever that project is, it seems like it’s moving forward, because according to the Royalty Network, they’ve grabbed a new batch of tunes that really don’t seem like they’d be a good fit for Rock Band as we know it today.
Interestingly, the news blurb mentions three of the four tracks mentioned last time: “Ante Up,” “Evacuate the Dance Floor,” and “The Way I Are.” In addition to that, we learn of four more:
- “King Of The Dancehall” by Beenie Man (Reggae)
- “Lean Wit It Rock Wit It” by Dem Franchize Boyz (Hip Hop)
- “Right Round” by Flo-Rida (Hip Hop)
- “Down” by Jay Sean (Dance/Pop)
I’ll stick a playlist after the break of all eight songs we’ve heard of so far, so you can get a sense of how very not Rock Band-appropriate these tunes are. Meanwhile, what could this mean? I think there’s a decent chance it’s for a new game in the Frequency franchise, a somewhat less decent chance it’s for an all-new, hip hop-focused game, and a very, very small chance it’s some sort of crazy crossover with DJ Hero.
One thing to keep in mind here is that the Royalty Network appears to represent more hip hop and dance artists than rock artists. So what we could be seeing is just the more beat-focused side of a bigger, more wide-reaching project. But really, your guess is as good as mine at this point. Care to share your theories?
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Man, this is weird. Do they even know if there’s a significative gaming market for listeners of that kind of music?
The other day I was playing Rock Band 2 with my counsins and my aunts were amazed at the game. It was the first time they’d seen it. They’re like 60 years old each, and they even wanted to sing. So far, ANYONE that plays RB2 at my home finds at least a dozen of tunes they know and love, and by anyone I mean kids, teenagers, friends from Church, friends that wanna get drunk while playing the game, aunts…
Now this kind of music… I don’t know, maybe I’m wrong, but it seems to me that it’s just not that accessible to a wider audience… and I don’t know if gamers in general listen to that… well, I don’t know, it just seems a little weird to me. But hey, I’m probably wrong.
I think it would be pretty cool to have a few hip hop songs in Rock Band/Guitar Hero. I would guess that Harmonix is either puting together a Urban type track pack together for Rock Band (this could be where Snoop Dog is hiding??) or possibly getting ready for their version of DJ Hero???
let’s just hope they don’t make a game like Def Jam Rapstar.
I think all the guesses are way off.
It’s obviously a dance game designed for Natal.
Other than Ante Up, none of the songs are popular (or frankly – since this is Harmonix – cool) enough to merit inclusion in any kind of hip hop game whatsoever.
I think Rab may be on to something here.
I’m thinking the same thing. Rab, I like your theory. I mean, I probably won’t like the game…but your theory definitely has merit, and your reasoning is sound.