Let Me Clear My Throat

"Let Me Clear My Throat"
Single by DJ Kool
from the album Let Me Clear My Throat
Released April 1, 1996
Format CD single, Cassette single, 12" Single
Genre Hip hop, go-go
Length 4:47
Label American Recordings/Warner Bros. Records
Writer(s) DJ Kool[1]
Producer(s) DJ Kool, s/x, Fred Derby, Funkmaster Flex, DJ Mark the 45 King
DJ Kool singles chronology
"Let Me Clear My Throat"
(1996)		 "Ayo!"
(2006)

"Let Me Clear My Throat" is a song by American hip-hop artist DJ Kool. It was released in April 1996 as the third and final single from his album of the same name Let Me Clear My Throat. It was recorded live at the Bahama Bay club in Philadelphia.[2]

Song description

The most popular version of the song is the one recorded live at Bahama Bay. This version incorporates audience cheers, shouts, and participation.

The musical content of the song consists entirely of two samples: the introductory fanfare of "Hollywood Swinging" (1974) by Kool & The Gang, used in both the intro and pre-chorus, and "The 900 Number" (1987) by The 45 King (which itself includes a two-bar loop of the saxophone riff that was lifted from "Unwind Yourself" (1968) by Marva Whitney), used in the verses and chorus.

Aside from a 16-line verse in the first half of the song, the lyrical content consists largely of audience-pleasing antics, energetic shouts, call-and-response, and shout-outs. Kool makes lyrical nods to a grittier house party history of hip-hop, dropping references from early hip-hop and soul artists such as Run DMC, James Brown, Whistle. Likewise, the title and common line of the song, "let me clear my throat," is itself taken from the Beastie Boys' "The New Style" from 1986's Licensed To Ill.

Other uses

As of the 2015-16 season, the NHL's Buffalo Sabres and the Elite Ice Hockey League's Fife Flyers use this song as their official goal song.

The song is also used as the theme song for BBC Radio Scotland Football show Off The Ball

Track listing

  1. "Let Me Clear My Throat" (Old-School Reunion Edit) - 4:25
  2. "Let Me Clear My Throat" (Klassic Kool Original Version) - 4:51
  3. "Let Me Clear My Throat" (Old-School Reunion Remix) - 4:53
  4. "Let Me Clear My Throat" (45 King Bass 'N' Funk Remix) - 4:32
  5. "Let Me Clear My Throat" (Funkmaster Flex Remix) - 3:48
  6. "Let Me Clear My Throat" (No 'Damn' Old-School Reunion Remix) - 4:54
  7. "Let Me Clear My Throat" (Tupac Tribute Edit) - 1:22

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (1996-97) Peak
Position
Australia (ARIA)[3] 50
Canada Dance (RPM)[4] 11
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[5] 7
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[6] 19
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[7] 46
UK Singles (The Official Charts Company) 8
US Billboard Hot 100 30
US Billboard Hot R&B Singles 21
US Billboard Rhythmic Top 40 28

Year-end charts

Chart (1997) Position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[8] 96

Certifications

Region Certification Sales/shipments
United States (RIAA)[9] Gold 600,000[10]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.discogs.com/DJ-Kool-Let-Me-Clear-My-Throat/release/120456
  2. ↑ The 100 Best Hip-Hop One Hit Wonders Complex Mag
  3. ↑ "Australian-charts.com – DJ Kool – Let Me Clear My Throat". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  4. ↑ Canadian peak RPM Magazine
  5. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – DJ Kool search results" (in Dutch) Dutch Top 40.
  6. ↑ "Charts.org.nz – DJ Kool – Let Me Clear My Throat". Top 40 Singles.
  7. ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – DJ Kool – Let Me Clear My Throat". Singles Top 100.
  8. ↑ "Billboard Top 100 - 1997". Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  9. ↑ "American single certifications – DJ Kool – Let Me Clear My Throat". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
  10. ↑ "Best-Selling Records of 1997". Billboard (BPI Communications Inc.) 110 (5): 76. January 31, 1998. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved May 31, 2015.

External links


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