Herbie Hancock had just released his first album for the Mercury label, after a long recording career with Blue Note and then Columbia Records. I was excited to get the chance to speak with him for the first time in 1995. Herbie’s album’s had always been rhythmically exciting, but this one especially caught my ear because of the name, Dis Is Da Drum. I spoke with him by phone for Modern Drummer magazine, and you can hear several of his comments about drums, the rhythm of life, and the growing influence of jazz on hip hop.

1. Herbie Hancock discusses Dis Is Da Drum. “Dis Is Da Drum (Funky Serengeti Mix)” from Dis Is Da Drum, Mercury (1995)
2. Herbie Hancock laughs loud and clear. “Dis Is Da Drum (Funky Serengeti Mix)” from Dis Is Da Drum, Mercury (1995)
3. Herbie Hancock talks hip hop and jazz. “Butterfly (Funky Backbeat Mix),” from Dis Is Da Drum, Mercury (1995)