Crate Diggin': Egyptian Lover Picks The Records That Shaped His Music

Greg Broussard, the man better known as Egyptian Lover, is one of the electro’s best-loved and pioneering artists. With the Roland TR-808 as his main weapon, he became the main flagbearer for a new electro-rap sound coming from the western coast in the late 80s: he was played heavily on TV and radio when he first emerged, and his records sold millions of copies around the globe. He also practically kick started LA’s rap scene – without Egyptian Lover’s lyrics and DIY approach to music coming first, it’s difficult to imagine how groups like NWA would’ve sounded. There’s certainly little doubt that Roland’s 808 drum machine started his career, but there were also several musicians before him that distinctly shaped his sound. As we prepare to host him for a live performance on 15th April, we caught up with Broussard via email to talk through some of the records that also played a formative role in his musical outlook.

Computer World – Kraftwerk

Egyptian Lover: I remember hearing this album for the very first time and loving the futuristic sounds and the melodies were also very entertaining to me. It was 1981 and I had never heard anything like this before. It’s stayed deep in my heart till this very day and I still listen to it before going to the studio to record. I think I read a nice story you had about this album once. You ended up marrying the girl who first gave you a copy? It really must’ve had a profound effect on you. Egyptian Lover: Yes, when I first heard this album it was the very first time I heard Kraftwerk. It was so futuristic and I absolutely loved it. When I saw the girl who gave that album to me at our 10-year reunion, I asked her out and we ended up getting married. My whole style comes from Kraftwerk. She changed my life by giving me that record.

Planet Rock – Afrika Bambaataa & The Soul Sonic Force

Egyptian Lover: When I first heard this record I knew right away it was from Kraftwerk's Numbers beat. I said to myself "that was my idea" but I never got around to doing it. Planet Rock was such a great sounding beat. It actually sounded better than Numbers by Kraftwerk. I was very curious to how that drum sound was made? I then found out it was a drum machine: The Roland TR-808. I bought it on the spot, and it changed my life. You’ve spoken a lot about this record before. Were they the first ones to rap over the sound of the 808? Egyptian Lover: I don't know if they were the first to rap over an 808 – that may be true. But it was the first record I heard to rap over Kraftwerk and they used an 808 so it was such a great record. I thought it sounded even better than Kraftwerk.

Electric Kingdom – Twilight 22

Egyptian Lover: This record had some of the best synth sounds you will ever hear and the quality of this record was beyond great. I told myself if I was ever to make a record it would be quality like this. There’s definitely quite an eerie sound to it. Do you see any parallels in what you’ve made since hearing it? Egyptian Lover: Most definitely. I try to emulate their creativity and quality every single time I’m in the studio.

Let's Work – Prince

*Studio version currently not available on YouTube* Egyptian Lover: What more can you say about the genius Prince? When he made the long version of this record he added a rap chant and that stuck with me and inspired me to make songs with that chant style rap. Were you ever inspired by the way he programmed drums too? I think it’s easy to forget that about him, but if you listen to a track like Purple Music, it’s basically dance music. Egyptian Lover: I liked his music more, I think the drum programs lacked a little. Every so often I heard an amazing beat and just thought to myself "he can do everything". He was definitely the best producer in my lifetime.

Something About You – Ebonee Webb

Egyptian Lover: This group was also inspired by Prince (Head) and the breathing Prince did on many of his songs. But this breathing from Ebonee Webb was so rhythmic that I was definitely going to do this on a record. We already know a lot about your interest in electro, but how much of an impact did funk have on you too? Egyptian Lover: Funk is in my DNA, the way I write my vocals and the style of sounds in my voice. I am what I was raised on. Funk! When you hear my songs, they are electro but with soul. That is the funk inside me.