Background
After two installments on his Rap Phenomenon mixtape series, DJ Vlad teamed up with Roc Raida (X-Ecutioners) in an attempt to show people just how well rap and rock actually blend together. To further drive the point home, they chose Mike Shinoda to host the mixtape. DJ Vlad told AllHipHop.com: "I did [Rock Phenomenon] for a couple of reasons. First, I wanted to come out with another official 'Phenomenon' mixtape, but I wanted to switch it up this time. I wanted to keep the same quality and work from the first couple of mixtapes, but totally change the genre of music. Actually, that's the main reason. Early hip-hop was very Rock influenced. Take a look at Rick Rubin. He produced all the early LL Cool J, Beastie Boys and some others like Run-DMC and it still works. All the Lil' Jon stuff, the M.O.P. stuff - all that really works with Rock. I heard Lil' Jon is actually working on a rock album with Rick Rubin right now. 2Pac Rap Phenomenon II is the biggest moving mixtape of all time, so there was a lot of pressure to live up to the 'Phenomenon' name. Every song on this mixtape is produced to death."[1]
The mixtape features three interludes, all named "Mike Shinoda Interlude",[2] on which Mike talks about his influences and visions on his music.
Versions
Note: Only the date of the very first release of each version is listed.
| Title | Album | Length | Recorded | Released | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Shinoda Interlude | Rock Phenomenon | 0:39 | March 27, 2006 |
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| Mike Shinoda Interlude | Rock Phenomenon | 0:44 | March 27, 2006 |
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| Mike Shinoda Interlude | Rock Phenomenon | 0:36 | March 27, 2006 |
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Personnel
- DJ Mix – DJ Vlad, Roc Raida
- Hosted by Mike Shinoda
- Executive Produced by DJ Vlad and Henley (Pro) Halem
- All songs mixed down by Cochise
- Artwork & layout: Skam2? (O.W.D.)
- Colors: Joel Benjamin
Lyrics
People always ask me “Do I consider myself more rock or more hip-hop?”
That’s a tough question to answer because, you know, I started listening to hip-hop when I was real young, and then, eventually I was listening to more rock, and then, it kinda went back and forth, then I listen to all the different types of music, and it’s like most people… the most important thing is that you’re true to where you come from and who you are… ya know I’m not… I don’t come from the same place as Public Enemy or NWA or Led Zeppelin, but I make music based on who I am and where I’m from.
For any artist, as long as you’re doing that, you stay true to yourself
Y-you’re putting your time and you’ve got the skills, then you can hopefully make some music that inspires people.
I think the best music that I’ve made comes from the feeling of getting sick of waiting, like I’m waiting for somebody to make a script type of song that would be really exciting to me, and then nobody ever does it, and I get sick of waiting, and I just go make it myself. Um, that’s how Linkin Park came about and that’s the feeling I-I’m working from now, working with this new stuff called Fort Minor, and I think that’s just a feeling t-that, you know who’s an artist or a rapper or a producer should look out for, you’re constantly waiting for somebody out there to make a certain type of song and they don’t do it, nobody makes it, then go and figure it out yourself, you know, then you’re really inspired and you make something that’s exciting you and your friends, hopefully inspiring everybody else out there.
I think everybody goes through phases when they grow up, when they listen to music.
When I was growing up, I listened to, um, you know anything from The Police and U2 to, like, Led Zeppelin, uh, Jimi Hendrix, stuff like that, and then eventually I got into hip-hop, you know, I known the first-the first groups I’ve listened to are, like, Run-DMC, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, NWA, uh, I remember the first video I saw on the, uh, Yo! MTV Raps was Biz Markie “Vapors”, And, uh, with the him on the boat, I just thought it was, like, the best video ever, and it’s a good feeling, you know, when you watch a video or hear a song, you get excited and inspired by it, that’s the time to make music.