The Bridge Is Over
Encyclopedia
"The Bridge Is Over" is a 1987 song by Boogie Down Productions
from their debut album Criminal Minded
, performed by rapper KRS-One
and produced by DJ Scott LaRock and KRS-One.
, Marley Marl
, the Juice Crew
and rappers from Queens, NY and the Queensbridge projects. It helped contribute to the end of the career of MC Shan
.
It, and from the same album, "South Bronx", are the most famous songs of The Bridge Wars
between rappers from the Bronx and Queens
.
The song's lyrics at the end are set to the tune of the famous Billy Joel
song "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me
":
"The Bridge is Over":
Boogie Down Productions
Boogie Down Productions was a hip hop group that was originally composed of KRS-One, D-Nice, and DJ Scott La Rock. DJ Scott La Rock was murdered on August 27, 1987, months after the release of BDP's debut album, Criminal Minded. The name of the group, Boogie Down, derives from a nickname for the...
from their debut album Criminal Minded
Criminal Minded
Criminal Minded by Boogie Down Productions is a highly influential hip hop album. Production on the LP is credited to 'Blastmaster' KRS-One and DJ Scott La Rock , but in interviews it has been revealed that an uncredited Ced-Gee of The Ultramagnetic MCs had a key role in crafting the sound of the...
, performed by rapper KRS-One
KRS-One
Lawrence Krisna Parker , better known by his stage names KRS-One , and Teacha, is an American rapper...
and produced by DJ Scott LaRock and KRS-One.
History
It is considered to be a classic diss song., aimed at MC ShanMC Shan
MC Shan is an American rapper. He is perhaps best known for collaborating with Snow in "Informer", an international number one hit single.-Biography:...
, Marley Marl
Marley Marl
Marlon Williams , better known as Marley Marl, is an American DJ and record producer, who is considered one of the most important and influential hip-hop producers in the history of hip hop.-Biography:...
, the Juice Crew
Juice Crew
The Juice Crew was a hip hop collective of largely Queensbridge-based artists in the mid- to late-1980s. Founded by producer Marley Marl and radio DJ Mr. Magic and housed by Tyrone William's Cold Chillin' Records, the Juice Crew would introduce New School artists Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie,...
and rappers from Queens, NY and the Queensbridge projects. It helped contribute to the end of the career of MC Shan
MC Shan
MC Shan is an American rapper. He is perhaps best known for collaborating with Snow in "Informer", an international number one hit single.-Biography:...
.
It, and from the same album, "South Bronx", are the most famous songs of The Bridge Wars
The Bridge Wars
The Bridge Wars was a hip hop rivalry during the mid-to-late 1980s and early 1990s, that arose from a dispute over the true birthplace of hip hop music and retaliation over the rejecting of a record for airplay. The Bridge Wars originally involved The South Bronx's Boogie Down Productions, led by...
between rappers from the Bronx and Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
.
The song's lyrics at the end are set to the tune of the famous Billy Joel
Billy Joel
William Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
song "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me
It's Still Rock and Roll to Me
"It's Still Rock & Roll to Me" is a hit 1980 song performed by Billy Joel, from the hit album Glass Houses. The song was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts for two weeks, from July 19 through August 1, 1980...
":
"The Bridge is Over":
Other uses
- The song was sampled in MC RenMC RenLorenzo Jerald Patterson , better known by his stage name MC Ren, is a rapper who formed part of the group N.W.A. His moniker is derived from his first name .-Early life:...
's song "Final FrontierFinal Frontier (song)"Final Frontier" is the solo debut single by MC Ren released from his debut album, Kizz My Black Azz. It was released on September 14, 1992 and was produced by Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin of the L.A. Posse...
", from his 1992 EP Kizz My Black AzzKizz My Black AzzKizz My Black Azz is an EP by MC Ren, released in 1992. This EP was his first solo release that came after N.W.A broke up.All tracks were produced by Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin except "Hounddogz", which was produced by DJ Train, MC Ren and The Torture Chamber....
. - The song was sampled in Rihanna's single "If It's Lovin' that You WantIf It's Lovin' That You Want"If It's Lovin' that You Want" is a song recorded by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna, from her debut studio album Music of the Sun . The song was released on December 2, 2005 through Def Jam Recordings, as the album's second and final single. The song was written by Samuel Barnes, Scott LaRock,...
." - The song was sampled in 50 Cent's song "Da Heatwave"
- The song was sampled in Queensbridge native NasNasNasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
's song "Destroy & Rebuild." "The Bridge Is Over" is heavily alluded to as Nas argues that the Bridge is not in fact "over" throughout the song. - The song's instrumental was used in the film Get Rich or Die Tryin', starring 50 Cent50 CentCurtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
, which a young Marcus is rapping over the beat. - A pitch-shiftedPitch shiftPitch shifting is a sound recording technique in which the original pitch of a sound is raised or lowered. Effects units that raise or lower pitch by a pre-designated musical interval are called "pitch shifters" or "pitch benders".-Pitch/time shifting:...
version of the song is used in Coldcut'sColdcutColdcut are an English dance music duo, comprising Matt Black and Jonathan More. Their signature style is electronic dance music, featuring cut up samples of hip hop, breaks, jazz, spoken word and various other types of music, as well as video and multimedia.-1980s:In 1986, computer programmer Matt...
seminal entry in the Journeys by DJ series.