Clutchy Hopkins
Encyclopedia
Clutchy Hopkins is purportedly a multi-instrumentalist
musician based out of California. His existence has not yet been fully verified, though he is widely believed to be a pseudonym
for one of several popular DJs. The true identity of the person (or people) behind the music is not publicly known.
", plus a white-label store that sold the album, a brief description, and contact information for a seemingly random Hotmail address. The YouTube video's credits also mention a Myspace page which features grainy photos of a ragged-looking bearded man wearing a flannel shirt.
In February 2007, music blog Idolator
published a brief post on the music, describing it as "MF Doom-like hip hop instrumentals with India-influenced guitar tracks and some smoother downtempo work that might fool Portishead fans" and speculating that Clutchy might be a pseudonym for DJ Shadow
. Additional attention from Okayplayer
and KCRW
DJ Jeremy Sole sparked discussion among music bloggers who postulated that Cut Chemist
, Madlib
, Money Mark
or Shawn Lee
might be responsible for the music. Clutchy's true identity was never discovered, but in early 2008, noted funk label Ubiquity Records
released "Walking Backwards", a full-length album of new Clutchy music, featuring guest vocals from Darondo
. It was followed by two collaborations with Shawn Lee
and the 2009 album "Music Is My Medicine", credited to Clutchy Hopkins and Lord Kenjamin. In April 2010, Ubiquity released another solo album entitled "The Storyteller"
Also in 2008, Porter Records
released an album entitled "Odean Pope
and the Misled Children". While the relationship remains unclear, the sound of the Misled Children is very similar to Clutchy Hopkins, and the URL from the YouTube video suggests a connection. Another Misled Children album entitled "Peoples Market" is listed on AllMusic.
Noted graphic artist Jim Mahfood
has created artwork and album covers for recent Clutchy Hopkins projects.
Multi-instrumentalist
A multi-instrumentalist is a musician who plays a number of different instruments.The Bachelor of Music degree usually requires a second instrument to be learned , but people who double on another instrument are not usually seen as multi-instrumentalists.-Classical music:Music written for Symphony...
musician based out of California. His existence has not yet been fully verified, though he is widely believed to be a pseudonym
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
for one of several popular DJs. The true identity of the person (or people) behind the music is not publicly known.
Recent history
On September 9, 2006, a YouTube video claiming to be documentary footage about Clutchy Hopkins was uploaded. The video's end credits contain the URL www.misledchildren.com. Originally, this website featured a 12-track album entitled "The Life of Clutchy HopkinsThe Life of Clutchy Hopkins
The Life of Clutchy Hopkins is the debut album by musician Clutchy Hopkins. It was released in 2005 under the label Crate Digler.-Track listing:# "3:06" – 3:08# "3:02" – 3:01# "4:08" – 4:10# "3:25" – 3:26# "2:15" – 2:16# "3:11" – 3:15...
", plus a white-label store that sold the album, a brief description, and contact information for a seemingly random Hotmail address. The YouTube video's credits also mention a Myspace page which features grainy photos of a ragged-looking bearded man wearing a flannel shirt.
In February 2007, music blog Idolator
Idolator
Idolator is the third album by the Japanese, melodic death metal band, Blood Stain Child. Idolator combines melodic death metal similar to the more recent In Flames albums with electronic and trance influences, particularly on "Nuclear Trance". "Embrace Me", has a piano section both at the...
published a brief post on the music, describing it as "MF Doom-like hip hop instrumentals with India-influenced guitar tracks and some smoother downtempo work that might fool Portishead fans" and speculating that Clutchy might be a pseudonym for DJ Shadow
DJ Shadow
Joshua Paul Davis better known as DJ Shadow is an American music producer, DJ and songwriter. He is considered a prominent figure in the development of instrumental hip hop and first gained notice with the release of his highly acclaimed debut album Endtroducing....., which was constructed...
. Additional attention from Okayplayer
Okayplayer
Okayplayer.com is an online hip-hop and alternative music website and community, described by Rolling Stone as a "tastemaker" and "an antidote to dull promotional Web sites used by most artists". The group was co-founded by The Roots' drummer Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson as a loose musical...
and KCRW
KCRW
KCRW is a public radio station broadcasting from the campus of Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, California, carrying a mix of National Public Radio news, talk radio and freeform music format. The general manager of KCRW is Jennifer Ferro...
DJ Jeremy Sole sparked discussion among music bloggers who postulated that Cut Chemist
Cut Chemist
Lucas MacFadden , better known as Cut Chemist, is an American DJ and record producer. He is a former member of the funk Latin band Ozomatli, and of hip hop group Jurassic 5...
, Madlib
Madlib
Otis Jackson Jr. in Oxnard, California, known professionally as Madlib, is a Los Angeles-based DJ, multi-instrumentalist, rapper, and music producer...
, Money Mark
Money Mark
Mark Ramos-Nishita aka Money Mark is a producer and musician who has collaborated with the Beastie Boys many times. He also appears on the first Banyan album in 1997 as the "Freeway Keyboardist".-Career:...
or Shawn Lee
Shawn Lee (musician)
Shawn Lee is an American musician and multi-instrumentalist from Wichita, Kansas but now lives in London, England. He is currently working on a new band project with AM with the first album coming out July 12, 2011.-Career:...
might be responsible for the music. Clutchy's true identity was never discovered, but in early 2008, noted funk label Ubiquity Records
Ubiquity Records
Ubiquity Records is an American music label that focuses on funk, rare groove, soul, and hip hop and other musical genres. It is located in Costa Mesa, California and has a satellite office based in San Francisco, California...
released "Walking Backwards", a full-length album of new Clutchy music, featuring guest vocals from Darondo
Darondo
William Pulliam, who performed in the 70s under the name Darondo, was a funk and soul singer who sounded like a combination of Ronald Isley and Al Green. Little known by anyone except serious enthusiasts of that genre, Darondo is highly respected by that limited audience. The mythology surrounding...
. It was followed by two collaborations with Shawn Lee
Shawn Lee (musician)
Shawn Lee is an American musician and multi-instrumentalist from Wichita, Kansas but now lives in London, England. He is currently working on a new band project with AM with the first album coming out July 12, 2011.-Career:...
and the 2009 album "Music Is My Medicine", credited to Clutchy Hopkins and Lord Kenjamin. In April 2010, Ubiquity released another solo album entitled "The Storyteller"
Also in 2008, Porter Records
Porter Records
Porter Records is a United States record label that specializes in jazz, hiphop, electronic, world, and experimental music. Its catalog is self-described as "music for the eclectic listener", with albums by artists Henry Grimes, Joe Chambers, Heikki Sarmanto, Chll Pll, and Mason Lindahl, among...
released an album entitled "Odean Pope
Odean Pope
Odean Pope is an American jazz tenor saxophonist.Pope was raised in Philadelphia, where he learned from Ray Bryant while young...
and the Misled Children". While the relationship remains unclear, the sound of the Misled Children is very similar to Clutchy Hopkins, and the URL from the YouTube video suggests a connection. Another Misled Children album entitled "Peoples Market" is listed on AllMusic.
Noted graphic artist Jim Mahfood
Jim Mahfood
Jim Mahfood , a.k.a. Food One, is an American comic book creator.Apart from his creator-owned comic book series Grrl Scouts and his comic strip Stupid Comics he also did work for Marvel Comics on various Spider-Man titles, including Ultimate Marvel Team-Up and Spectacular...
has created artwork and album covers for recent Clutchy Hopkins projects.
Discography
| Album | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| The Life of Clutchy Hopkins The Life of Clutchy Hopkins The Life of Clutchy Hopkins is the debut album by musician Clutchy Hopkins. It was released in 2005 under the label Crate Digler.-Track listing:# "3:06" – 3:08# "3:02" – 3:01# "4:08" – 4:10# "3:25" – 3:26# "2:15" – 2:16# "3:11" – 3:15... |
2006 | Crate Digler |
| MF Doom Meets Clutchy Hopkins (promotional EP) | 2007 | none |
| Walking Backwards | 2008 | Ubiquity Records Ubiquity Records Ubiquity Records is an American music label that focuses on funk, rare groove, soul, and hip hop and other musical genres. It is located in Costa Mesa, California and has a satellite office based in San Francisco, California... |
| Clutch of the Tiger (with Shawn Lee Shawn Lee (musician) Shawn Lee is an American musician and multi-instrumentalist from Wichita, Kansas but now lives in London, England. He is currently working on a new band project with AM with the first album coming out July 12, 2011.-Career:... ) |
2008 | Ubiquity Records Ubiquity Records Ubiquity Records is an American music label that focuses on funk, rare groove, soul, and hip hop and other musical genres. It is located in Costa Mesa, California and has a satellite office based in San Francisco, California... |
| Music Is My Medicine Music Is My Medicine Music Is My Medicine is a collaboration album between Clutchy Hopkins and Lord Kenjamin. It was released in 2009 under the Ubiquity Records label.- Track listing :# "The Old Spot"# "Brother John"# "Cold and Wet"... (with Lord Kenjamin) |
2009 | Ubiquity Records Ubiquity Records Ubiquity Records is an American music label that focuses on funk, rare groove, soul, and hip hop and other musical genres. It is located in Costa Mesa, California and has a satellite office based in San Francisco, California... |
| Fascinating Fingers Fascinating Fingers Fascinating Fingers is a collaboration album by musicians Clutchy Hopkins and Shawn Lee. It was released in 2009 on vinyl and CD, both under the Ubiquity Records label.- Track listing :# "70 MPH Isn't Fast Enough to Get Out of Nebraska" – 4:00... (with Shawn Lee Shawn Lee (musician) Shawn Lee is an American musician and multi-instrumentalist from Wichita, Kansas but now lives in London, England. He is currently working on a new band project with AM with the first album coming out July 12, 2011.-Career:... ) |
2009 | Ubiquity Records Ubiquity Records Ubiquity Records is an American music label that focuses on funk, rare groove, soul, and hip hop and other musical genres. It is located in Costa Mesa, California and has a satellite office based in San Francisco, California... |
| The Story Teller | 2010 | Ubiquity Records Ubiquity Records Ubiquity Records is an American music label that focuses on funk, rare groove, soul, and hip hop and other musical genres. It is located in Costa Mesa, California and has a satellite office based in San Francisco, California... |
External links
- Official Artist Homepage
- Ubiquity Records Artist Page
- [ Allmusic biography]
- Clutchy Hopkins Radio Mix for Mamiko Motto's show on samurai.fm
- Wax Poetics article & Interview
- Popmatters review of Walking Backwards
- OkayPlayer Review of Music Is My Medicine