Watch: Analyzing Afrika Bambaataa’s ‘Looking for the Perfect Beat’

Alright, class is in session! The good people of the Red Bull Music Academy got together with legendary producers Arthur Baker and John Robie to talk about the creative process behind “Looking for the Perfect Beat” – one of hip hop’s most recognizable beats of all time.

Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force’s ‘Looking for the Perfect Beat’ was a warning shot to those who thought they had the producers of ‘Planet Rock’ pegged. Arthur Baker and John Robie spent six months crafting an 808 odyssey, pushing the drum machine to new heights. ‘Looking for the Perfect Beat’ re-imagined what was possible, a sample-ready symphony that has spawned a thousand styles.