Music Lesson: Analyzing "It's a New Day" by Skull Snaps

So, that was the break from a song called "It's a New Day" by a band called Skull Snaps from the early 70s.

Again, this is another massively used break utilized by artists like:

• The Prodigy
• Gang Starr
• Mobb Deep

To name a few, this is a seminal break in the world of hip hop and sampling.

Breaking It Down

Let's break it down and slow it down to give you an idea of how to play it.

The Groove

The main thing about this is the kind of swing feel that the drummer gets on it. It's a pretty simple groove, but the way it bounces is the reason that it's been used so many times in hip hop.

So, let's have a go!

The one thing that gives the groove its swing and bounce is the double kick drum.

• That's the only thing that gives the game away in terms of whether this beat is straight or swung.
• All the other elements are completely straight.

But as soon as you hear that double kick come in, the feel that's created by it gives the groove its bounce.

And that's it: the groove from "It's a New Day" by the Skull Snaps.