Let Your Backbone Slide
Encyclopedia
"Let Your Backbone Slide" is the debut single of Maestro Fresh-Wes
, released in 1989, from his debut album Symphony in Effect
. In Canada, over 50,000 copies of the single were sold, making Maestro the first Canadian rapper to have a gold
single. It also reached #1 on The Record
Singles Chart, in April 1990. In the United States, 25,000 copies were sold in its first few weeks of release. As of early 2008, it remained the best-selling Canadian hip hop
single of all time.
The song contains samples of "The Champ" by The Mohawks, "Funky Drummer
" by James Brown
, "Set It Off" by Strafe, "La Di Da Di
" by Doug E. Fresh
and Slick Rick
, "One, Two, Three" by The B-Boys, and "Rebel Without a Pause
" by Public Enemy
.
was shot in Toronto
, with most of it taking place in a club. In the video's first few seconds, current CBC News
anchor Dwight Drummond
plays the role of a cameraman. It also received rotation on MTV
.
B-side
Maestro (rapper)
Wesley Williams , better known as Maestro and formerly Maestro Fresh-Wes, is a Canadian rapper, record producer, and actor. His pioneering status and outstanding achievements have led to him being referred to as the "Godfather of Canadian hip hop".In 1989 he became the first Canadian rapper to have...
, released in 1989, from his debut album Symphony in Effect
Symphony in Effect
Symphony in Effect is the debut album of Canadian rapper Maestro Fresh-Wes, released in 1989 on Attic/LMR Records. In Canada, the album nearly went double platinum and remains one of the best-selling Canadian hip hop albums of all time...
. In Canada, over 50,000 copies of the single were sold, making Maestro the first Canadian rapper to have a gold
Music Canada
Music Canada was a Canadian music television miniseries which aired approximately monthly on CBC Television from 1966 to 1967.-Premise:This series featured various special productions of music and dance, from classical to modern styles.-Scheduling:...
single. It also reached #1 on The Record
The Record (magazine)
The Record was a Canadian music industry magazine that featured record charts, trade news and opinions. David Farrell launched the publication in mid-1981, continuing its printed version until August 1999 when The Record continued as a website-based publication...
Singles Chart, in April 1990. In the United States, 25,000 copies were sold in its first few weeks of release. As of early 2008, it remained the best-selling Canadian hip hop
Canadian hip hop
The Canadian hip hop scene was first established in the 1980s. Through a variety of factors, it developed much more slowly than Canada's popular rock music scene, and apart from a short-lived burst of mainstream popularity from 1989 to 1991, it remained largely an underground phenomenon until the...
single of all time.
The song contains samples of "The Champ" by The Mohawks, "Funky Drummer
Funky drummer
"Funky Drummer" is a funk song recorded by James Brown and his band. The recording's drum break, performed by drummer Clyde Stubblefield, is one of the most frequently sampled rhythmic breaks in hip hop and popular music; indeed, it lays a strong claim to being the most sampled recording ever,...
" by James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
, "Set It Off" by Strafe, "La Di Da Di
La Di Da Di
"La Di Da Di" is a rap song performed by Doug E. Fresh the beatboxer, and MC Ricky D as the rapper. It was originally released in 1985 as the B-side to "The Show". The song has since gained a reputation as an early hip hop classic, having been referenced in other hip hop songs.There are two...
" by Doug E. Fresh
Doug E. Fresh
Douglas E. Davis , better known by the stage name Doug E. Fresh, is an American rapper, record producer, and beat boxer, also known as the Human Beat Box...
and Slick Rick
Slick Rick
Richard Walters , better known by his stage name Slick Rick is a Grammy-nominated English-American rapper...
, "One, Two, Three" by The B-Boys, and "Rebel Without a Pause
Rebel Without a Pause
Rebel Without a Pause is a single by hip hop group Public Enemy from their groundbreaking 1988 album, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back. The title is a spoof of Rebel Without a Cause, a 1955 drama movie.-History:...
" by Public Enemy
Public Enemy
Public Enemy is an American hip hop group consisting of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff and his S1W group, DJ Lord , and Music Director Khari Wynn...
.
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
was shot in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, with most of it taking place in a club. In the video's first few seconds, current CBC News
CBC News
CBC News is the department within the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the news gathering and production of news programs on CBC television, radio and online services...
anchor Dwight Drummond
Dwight Drummond
Dwight Drummond is a Canadian television journalist, currently working for CBC Television in Toronto, Ontario.-Career:Drummond moved to Canada in 1976 and was raised in Toronto's Jane and Finch neighbourhood...
plays the role of a cameraman. It also received rotation on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
.
12" single
A-side- "Let Your Backbone Slide" (Power Mix
- "Let Your Backbone Slide" (Bonus Beat)
- "Let Your Backbone Slide" (Acapella Version)
B-side
- "Let Your Backbone Slide" (Radio Edit)
- "Let Your Backbone Slide" (Club Mix)
Chart positions
| Chart (1990) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian RPM RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... Singles Chart |
10 |
| Canadian The Record The Record (magazine) The Record was a Canadian music industry magazine that featured record charts, trade news and opinions. David Farrell launched the publication in mid-1981, continuing its printed version until August 1999 when The Record continued as a website-based publication... Singles Chart |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Singles Hot Rap Songs Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single... |
14 |