The ‘Alo-hop’ Beat: What is it? And where did it come from?

These are questions that have been plaguing Okonkuluku University students for decades. Lucky for you, dear reader, today’s lecture is a diagram of the beat and its origins.

Sacred & Secular Dance Music of the Ancient & Modern Worlds

The ‘Alo-hop’ Beat has three influences: the ipu rhythms of Hawaiian hula kahiko, the guiro patterns of Latin music, and a bass line borrowed from Usher’s hip-hop anthem “Yeah.”

The diagram below shows the interaction of the ipu rhythm and hip-hop bass line. Note that the downbeat of each bar simultaneously serves as the first note of the bass line and the first heel slap of the ipu. Whereas traditional usage of the ipu would dictate using the heel of one’s hand (as marked, ‘Heel’) and the lengths of one’s fingers (as marked, ‘Slap’), it is suggested that alo-hop performers substitute kick drum for the ‘Heel’ and mounted temple block (or wood block) for all ’slap’ sounds.

The next diagram shows the adaptation of the classic guiro pattern, double-timed for hi-hat.

Listen to an excerpt of “Cave of Uldo” as performed by WAITIKI on the album Charred Mammal Flesh: Exotic Music for BBQ:

• Cave of Uldo Excerpt