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Why Malcolm X’s voice plays in a Sonic game

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Why Malcolm X’s voice plays in a Sonic game

As a gamer who grew up in the 2000s, Hideki Naganuma holds a special place in my heart. While many might remember him for his catchy tunes or quirky Twitter persona, it’s that one sample from Malcolm X in Sonic Rush that will forever be etched in my memory.

I think video game history will remember Hideki Naganuma for many reasons. Fans might lovingly bestow upon him the title of “Twitter weirdo.” Others — especially modern music producers — might cite him as an important influence in video game composition. That’s more than fair; the man is responsible for his fair share of video game bangers. Tracks like Jet Set Radio Future’s “The Concept of Love” — which stuffs warped vocal samples, bright electric guitar riffs, and rushing synthy drums — still turn heads when they come on the playlist.

Why Malcolm X’s voice plays in a Sonic game

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For my part, he will forever be etched in my memory as the video game musician who incorporated a snippet of Malcolm X’s speech into a Sonic the Hedgehog soundtrack.

In this game Sonic Rush, a 2D platformer launched by Sega in 2005 on the original Nintendo DS, you’ll find the song titled “Wrapped in Black”. This tune is played during the climactic battle against Doctor Eggman in the final boss fight. At first, the melody begins with swift violins and dramatic vocals that hint at Doctor Eggman’s wicked nature. However, a sharp, recurring vocal sample abruptly cuts through the music, echoing “Too black, too strong” several times before disappearing only to resurface later in the song.

The phrase “Too black, too strong” originates from a 1963 speech by Malcolm X, titled “Message to the Grassroots.” Unlike Sonic, this speech was not about cartoon characters but dealt with profound societal issues. In his address, Malcolm X, a prominent Black revolutionary, articulated his interpretation of Black nationalism and voiced criticisms against the Civil Rights Movement. To illustrate his point, he employed an analogy using coffee and creamer to describe the state of the movement. He stated: “If you give a Negro a cup of coffee with a little milk in it, where he has been accustomed to drinking it black, and he puts too much milk in it, he will raise hell.”

As a devotee, I can relate this to my coffee experience. When my brew is excessively robust, resembling black gold, I find myself yearning for a touch of sweet cream. Just as the cream softens the intensity of the coffee, so too does understanding and compassion soften the severity of life’s challenges. If I add too much cream, though, the essence of coffee becomes indistinguishable, just like when empathy overshadows the original issue. It was once fiery-hot, but with the addition of understanding, it cools down, becoming more approachable and manageable.

As someone who has been a fan of Sonic games for over two decades, I have to say that discovering the fact that one of the iconic tracks in Sonic Mania, “Wrapped in Black,” samples a coffee-themed song feels like a surreal twist. Back in 2014, when Tee Lopes, the composer of the game, jokingly mentioned that the song is about coffee, I didn’t give it much thought. However, upon further reflection and research, it turns out that he was technically correct – the lyrics do contain references to coffee. While this might seem like a trivial detail, it adds an interesting layer to the game’s soundtrack and makes me appreciate the music even more. It’s moments like these that make me cherish the passion and creativity of the teams behind these beloved games.

Naganuma’s distinctive compositions align well with his background as a composer and his work within the Sonic series, much like how video games were a burgeoning medium during that time. He was known for his willingness to innovate without being confined by traditional notions of what art should be. In 1998, he submitted his first application to Sega, following which he composed his debut piece, a handheld toy called Hip Jog Jog. His breakout moment came in 2000 when he was the principal composer for Jet Set Radio . Through his music, he infused influences from hip hop, electronica, dance, funk, jazz, and rock into the retro speakers of CRT televisions of the 2000s.

Why Malcolm X’s voice plays in a Sonic game

Finding a standout musical contribution within the realm of Sonic the Hedgehog and Sega games isn’t an easy feat due to iconic tunes like the Chemical Plant Zone theme or “Escape From the City” from Sonic Adventure 2. Given this, it’s not surprising that the soundtrack of Sonic Rush may have slipped under the radar for many modern fans. The game was released early in the life cycle of a new handheld console and, despite selling about 1.62 million copies, it didn’t become one of the most famous or well-known games in the Sonic series.

Instead of Naganuma taking off with the Sonic Rush soundtrack, he carried it away. He incorporates the British DJ Fatboy Slim’s reggae remix of Tribe Called Quest’s well-known track, “I Left My Wallet In El Segundo,” to generate a shout that resembles a mariachi band for the theme of a level in Sonic Rush that has a Brazilian Carnival feel, which he named “Ska Cha Cha.”

Although the timeless appeal of the classic Green Hill Zone melody continues to captivate me, embarking on Sonic Rush with the energetic blast of “Right There, Ride On” and its lively electric guitar riffs offers a fresh and exhilarating experience.

As a dedicated admirer, Naganuma’s quirks have left an indelible mark on my mind and significantly influenced my media preferences as I grew older. Perhaps that’s why I can’t help but recall vividly – and encourage others to do the same – the extraordinary moment when he merged Malcolm X into a Sonic game, a memory etched deeply in the mind of a young video game enthusiast like myself.

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2024-08-07 18:19

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