Songs that Changed Music: Herbie Hancock - Rockit

Herbie Hancock has long been a musical innovator, as he always incorporated new musical elements and genres into his style.

And with his 1983 song "Rockit", Herbie was at it once again! This time with a genre that had yet to break into the mainstream: hip-hop! Today, we’re diving into this song, its production, and what makes it so influential.

As an 11 year old, child prodigy, playing the first movement of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No.5 with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, young Herbie Hancock could never have imagined the transformative and expansive music career that lay ahead. However, in the past 60 years, Hancock has proven to be one of the most innovative and visionary musicians of the age. “I do what I want to do. I’m interested in people, I’m interested in music, I’m interested in learning about music and learning about myself,” Hancock told NME in 1983. His musical curiosity has led him through classical music, jazz, electronic music, rock, funk, disco and hip-hop. His 1983 hit single, “Rockit” not only earned him a Grammy for Best R&B Instrumental, but has been cited as one of the most influential tracks in bringing DJ scratching into mainstream attention.

As a young musician, Hancock came of age under the guidance and mentorship of Donald Byrd and the legendary Miles Davis. In his memoir, Hancock credits Davis for teaching him how to take chances and explore new territories: “We had all learned – from Miles himself – that the secret is to keep moving forward, never look back. There are always new avenues to explore and new mountains to climb…” Indeed, like his mentor, Hancock would spend the next decades traversing new musical territories and fusions, and experimenting with innovative technologies and practices.

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[Producelikeapro]

Which other songs would you like us to cover in this series?

[MacSoundSolutions]

I was an apprentice / assistant / then engineer at Evergreen in NYC in the 80s and worked on many sessions with Bill Laswell and Rob Stevens. I was there for one of the remix sessions for Rocket and got to see these masters at work. I was so green then but man it was fun and I learned so much. Bill was was producing Mick Jaggers solo record and I got to hear Just Another Night before it was released. Bill played it for us and when the breakdown with the guitar at the comes in near the end and there’s the machine gun like tape loop stabs this big smile came on his face as he looked around the room. We also had John Lydon singing on a few tracks for The Golden Palominos record which blew my mind when I came to work and saw one of my hero’s sitting on the stairs in front of me, I tried not to stare... you had to be cool and not freak out. Evergreen was a very small 24 track room but we had great clients come through it’s doors in the 80s. Rob Stevens mixed a bunch of John Lennon projects for Yoko there as well. The little studio that did big things. Ah the good old days.

[rickslick]

I'm proud of being relayed it to my cousin Herbie

[LuisMorales-xmwc]

I heard the sugarhill gang in a Guatemalan radio in 1979, now 42 years later i know the true behind that style of music.Thank you Sir for sharing your knowledge to us.!!!

[AudioTones]

I was 16 years old, and it blew my mind.

[darlenesheffield]

Herbie and Miles, thank you for covering these giants of music Warren

[danap]

You just made a grown man cry. Very nice words and respect for the master.

[rgdec]

I have to say, thank you for everything you do. Such a pleasure to learn from you.

[nickhaldin]

As a keyboardist, Herbie Hancock is one of my greatest influences. Particularly all of his albums in the 70s-headhunters, man child, thrust, secrets, etc.-should be studied by all aspiring producers. Those albums are so well produced and mixed. Great episode warren! 👍🏼👍🏼

[willemmoller]

Another classic choice! I've been listening to Miles' 60s quintet for 40 years and still can't get enough of it; Herbie's playing was the pinnacle of jazz piano. Then came Bitches Brew . . . Miles opened so many musicians' ears, mine included, and instilled a hunger to explore new ground that's hugely effected all kinds of music over the subsequent decades. Thanks Warren!

[Zundaaa]

YES!!! I was 10 years old in 83 and the track made me want to use a turntable as an instrument too!
My parents did not like that too much because it was THEIR turntable at first. :D

Now my scratches can be heard on 20+ records and I still scratch and DJ. Rockit made me start.

Fun fact: you can practice that scratch on your zipper (jacket or trousers) when your not in front of a turntable.
Try that! :D

Thank you so much for bringing so much background info on the track's history, Warren!!! <3

[Packogualandrisofficial]

I was born in 1980 and this brings me right back into my childhood
Thanks for this Series, can't get enough of it! 💚💛💜 🙂

[chelmrtz]

I saw Herbie perform at Chicago Symphony Orchestra this year. He tore up the stage for 2.5 hours straight, dancing with his keytar and doing cool shit with his synths. Legendary performance

[NathanWind]

Rockit is dope, the song and the video. Great choice for an episode, so much background here! Love the scratch tutorial, that stuff is like magic to me.

[BeGoodNow]

Wow, again another welcomed music history lesson. I remember that song well, but didn't know any of that legendary background stuff, or how important it was in getting us where we are today in the world of music. Great pick!

[mikehydropneumatic]

Still rermember when that hit the charts, I was 11.

Merry Christmas.

[Steaminlidz]

I saw Herbie Hancock live in June 2019 (with Vinnie Colaiuta on drums) as the opening act of the Wellington Jazz Festival and he was no less spellbinding all these years later. He played the riff from ‘Rockit’ as the closing notes of his set.

[MrFlatTaxi]

I was 10 years old, and breakin’ was all we did

[midstrings]

Amazing list of songs 🔥❤️
Marvellous work
Love from India

[RCSmiths]

Herbie is an amazing jazz musician! Really awesome work as always!