Todd Terry Influences

Music

Todd Terry is the man. Emerging from the New York club scene, Terry's early productions saw him bridging the gap between hip hop and house culture, chucking the sample heavy aesthetic of hip hop over the raw 4/4 of house to create a run of rough, timeless classics. His sound has had particular traction in the UK, where the gap between hip hop and house was traditionally fairly small, and anyone joining the dots made perfect sense. The relationship between Terry and the UK turned out to be a two way street, with Terry experimenting with drum n bass in the late 90s, having himself had a profound influence on the producers who had created the sounds' orignal blueprint.

These days Todd releases tracks through his own InHouse and SoundDesign labels, and continues to experiment with street dance music, most recently turning in an album of heavy 808 bangers, 'Todd Terry vs That Trapp Shit', once more joining the dots between house and hip hop.

We asked Todd to impart a selection of tracks (and more) that influenced his sound over the years, and he's pulled some deep choices…

Todd Terry headlines FieldTrip on Friday 7th August for Back To Basics.

LISTEN

Say Hello To My Little Friend - Scarface (8/8) Movie Clip (1983) Hd

This movie gives me strength to keep up the fight throughout my career and life.
I can be up or down but still need the strength.

Say Hello To My Little Friend - Scarface (8/8) Movie Clip (1983) Hd

This movie gives me strength to keep up the fight throughout my career and life.
I can be up or down but still need the strength.
Goodfellas (Hd Trailer)

This movie made me realize that I needed to keep an eye on friends.
Michael Jackson - Off The Wall

This album, music and sound is huge in influencing my style. I want my Afro back. I had a fro but it was a small one and it was too nappy and dirty looking, so my mom made me cut it… But I have always wanted to be able to rock one.
Ai No Corrida / Quincy Jones

Quincy Jones’ album ‘The Dude Album’ taught me that music can travel as well as be pop. He made segways in certain songs that was so advanced, but still was able to be played on radio. The only other genre that could do that to that point was Rock, so this taught me a lot.
Adonis - No Way Back

This record really took the 808 drum machine to the right level of being simplistic but still funky. It made a huge impact and influence to my sound.
James Brown World

I always dreamed about making a record like ‘world’. Due to the changes in the song and the strength of the subject, this is still so relevant today.
Kraftwerk - Home Computer

Bugged out elements that you can’t deny!
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) Trailer

This movie gets me going, I know a couple of bitches I would like to bite!