Posted 2010-03-04, evaluated by the judges panel


I love this mix. Sure, it has some issues, and the rapping might not be up there with the Kanyes & Eminems of the world, but in terms of arrangement creativity, this is a tour de force. All the cooler then that it's from newcomer Nubioso, aka Josh Millen, with female vocals by Dazey. I remember checking this joint out on our workshop forums way back when and really hoping Josh would carry it through submission and revision so it could see the light of day here. Why am I so excited? Here's my talking points:

  • Combines hip-hop with the narrative sensibilities & transitions of rock opera/musical theater (!!)
  • Singing, rapping, narration, all w/ original lyrics
  • Majora's Mask, which needs some more love
  • Risky, bold, unique... the type of mix where failure to execute would mean an absolute trainwreck, but success would mean something unique & special

There you go, four easily digestable bullets - now go and file your TPS reports. Thankfully, Josh DOES execute this very conceptual, completely original VGM arrangement quite well. Incidentally, we've got another Majora's Mask mix coming up soon, so it's good to see GSlicer's track from 2007 finally getting some company. But forget Majora's Mask for a second. Actually, forget Zelda too - what's especially cool here is that this is a ReMix that takes a very different overall approach. After ten years of OCR, I always love seeing that, and I really hope it's received with open minds & arms. The artist writes:

"I've already said it to quite a few people at OCremix since joining here, but it was Zircons "Monstrous Turtles" remix that had really inspired me to do something of my own. I really liked his style in that song and wanted to incorporate a little bit of that in my own. I also noticed that there was only one Majoras mask remix and personally I really liked the game so that was just another pushing factor in me wanting to do this game in particular. Somewhere throughout this project I thought it might be fun to make it as though you're playing the game through song. You get the interaction of the characters, a story behind it, and a song to keep it interesting....a musical meant for radio I suppose =P It was a very fun project to take on and I'm very appreciative of all the people who helped me to get it where it is by their critiques and wonderful comments."

Very cool - in terms of mixes inspiring other mixes, Andy's SMW piece was certainly a juggernaut, and it seems like it's the gift that keeps on giving, in this instance. Jimmy "Back off, man - I co-composed Mass Effect 2!" Hinson writes:

"Aight here's the deal, I can't decide if this is awesome or cheesy. I think it's kind of the child of both :) Don't worry though, I'm giving you mad points just for the fact that this track is like one of the most fresh I've EVER heard on the panel. We have nothing like this on the site, I don't think, so that definitely works in Josh's favor here. I don't have any critical gripes on the production. And the sheer uniqueness of the arrangement tells me this should really be a pretty obvious one-way call."

Obviously, if you simply can't abide rap and/or singing in your mixes, this probably won't be your cup of tea, but then there's all sorts of wonderful mixes you're probably not into, either. This is one of the most original debuts on the site, and I love what Josh has done with the source material, and how - cheesy though it may be - the mix tells a story and plays itself out in a linear, narrative fashion. Great, completely original stuff from Nubioso.

djpretzel

Discussion

Latest 15 comments/reviews; view the complete thread or post your own.
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Crulex
on 2012-04-10 09:51:46

Man, Dazey's vocals were awesome, but they kinda make the rap lyrics seem out of place right after that. I like the rap and the lyrics themselves, but it just seems odd to me after that intro. I love the SFX used here, and overall this ReMix was very good.

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dragonwriter7
on 2010-07-22 22:14:04

First off, Dazey's vocals were amazing. I get shivers every time I listen to it. The lyrics she sings, whether written by Dazey or Nubioso, are simply perfect for Dazey's voice, and are very imaginative. I would LOVE to hear more from Dazey!

While I very much dislike rap, I have to admit that Nubioso didn't do too bad.

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animatedjay
on 2010-04-28 09:29:08

I think this is done very well and the female voice is awesome but I'm still amazed that people insist on having rap in a re-mix. If the original song is an instrumental then the re-mix should have no lyrics as well. Nine times out of ten the song gets ruined.

I do like the sound quality of the song and the sound effects. Good job!

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Martin Penwald
on 2010-03-25 15:35:49

When I read djp's write-up, particularly "Combines hip-hop with the narrative sensibilities transitions of rock opera/musical theater", I thought to myself What on earth is he on about?

The end result is surprisingly awesome, though. Nice use of samples from the game and good vocals. The lyrics are cheesy, but they're also a lot of fun.

Nice one; looking forward to hearing more from you guys.

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yosefu
on 2010-03-15 02:54:09

This is just bloody brilliant!

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Loning
on 2010-03-14 00:48:34

This is a very cool and different remix than anything i've heard on here. I enjoyed it and I definitely want to encourage you to continue on this route and make some more in the similar genre!

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TheThoughtfulOne
on 2010-03-13 05:18:25

I love it, but I have to wonder, was there a sense of some ICP influence in there? No... Swollen Members! Definitely some Swollen Members influence in there! Love it even more now!

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MessagesFromEarth
on 2010-03-11 10:08:00

Nice! This sounds like it could be on Deltron 3030!

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cremdogz
on 2010-03-09 11:00:14

Undoubtably cheesy...and thank you very much for doing so. I especially loved Link's falling sound halfway through, that was unexpected and awesome. I'll continue listening to this :)

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appleJiuce
on 2010-03-08 22:41:51

u guys listen to the Super Mario Land Rap?

kinda reminds me of this except with more swearing.

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Less Ashamed Of Self
on 2010-03-07 21:01:03

Try as you might... this is going to get a 90% :tomatoface: reaction but I don't care in the slightest.

This mix took balls and the execution is indeed polished. Well done. Respect.

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Jaeman
on 2010-03-07 00:14:54

All right, im no fan of rap, but this was awesomely cheesy and its undoubted that Majora's Mask needs more respect from remixers. My personal Favorite zelda game, and definitely something i will remember.

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WillRock
on 2010-03-06 10:09:24

This is probably one of the most original remixes I have ever come across on ocr, and seeing as we so close to 2000 remixes at this point, thats as higher praise I can give you guys.

At first I wasn't sure about this, and this could have been a mix that failed miserably due to an ambitious arrangement but this works, and works VERY well.

I can certainly hear the monstrous turtles! influence, it has that dreamy almost nightmarish quality to it that makes that remix so good.

For sure the production isn't perfect, but its pretty good and seriously, when you have an arrangement this good it really doesn't bother me.

Highly recommended - one of the most interesting pieces of music on the site and I look forward to hearing more you guys.

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Nubioso
on 2010-03-06 00:57:45

Thank you for everyones awesome comments. It was a lot of fun making this track. I definitely recognize the production issues, especially the fact that the 2nd half isn't quite as good as the first. I will be the first to say I probably wrapped the project up too quick without really putting as much focus into the second half as much as I did the first.

Also - Yeah, I know it's cheesy, I mean come on people....it's a rap about video games....there's no way to make that "cool" or "hardcore" in anyway lol. I also realize that my rap isn't a perfect depiction of what happens in the game, but the whole point of this stuff is to have fun and bring a fantasy to life.

I have let my girlfriend know that there are a lot of people asking to hear her vocals again so naturally she's bugging me to start a new project, but we'll see what happens =P

Again, thanks to everyone who's helped me to get this song submitted. I'm definitely looking forward to my next project....whenever that may be. :D

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OA
on 2010-03-05 15:51:14

My vote on this track didn't really cover my thoughts well on the track as a whole, for which I apologize. :/

Overall this is an awesome track and well-executed concept. Production can only get better from here on out, but having the spark of inspiration that can bring a sweet track like this to life is rare.

Absolutely love this one. Thank you for creating it. :-)

Sources Arranged (2 Songs)


Primary Game:
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (Nintendo , 2000, N64)
Music by Koji Kondo,Toru Minegishi
Songs:
"Calling the Four Giants"
"Stone Tower Temple"

Tags (7)


Genre:
Hip Hop
Mood:
Instrumentation:
Singing,Synth,Vocals: Female,Vocals: Male,Vocals: Rapping
Additional:
Lyrics > Lyrics: Original

File Information


Name:
Legend_of_Zelda_Majora's_Mask_Link_to_the_Mask_OC_ReMix.mp3
Size:
5,553,457 bytes
MD5:
5715a7a4c51a1fff3222b97e9abb1883
Bitrate:
160Kbps
Duration:
4:33

Zelda:

Link, oh, please help me, and accept the final task
Oh, won't you retrieve my most precious mask

From the falling moon, you must rescue us
None too soon before we're all turned into dust
Won't you please, won't you please save the day

Narrator:

And with the beckoning call of the princess, the young hero knew what had to be done

Link:

Check it out

Whaddya know, I gotta go... call forth the giants, numbers one through fo'
When I play my ocarina, it's a blast to the past but I put on my Majora's Mask
Handle the task and proceed down the path, let my aftermath
Prove I am worthy, though I won't hurt thee
Just wanna be the real me, 'til I get my hands on the force of 3, the holy trinity

Struggling against the forces in my darkest hour
I'm still reachin' for the Courage, Wisdom, and Power

Like to make a call, reachin' all... the four giants
Like to make a call, reachin' all... the four giants
Like to make a call, reachin' all... the four giants
Like to make a call, reachin' all... the four giants

Narrator:

But the evil Skull Kid was up to his nasty ways, and locked Link in the Stone Tower...

Link:

Aww, can't believe I got fooled by that stupid Skull Kid
That's right, I'mma find a way outta here AND get that mask back

Aight, Skull Kid, here it is

Even though I don't know which way to go, that won't slow me...
Down, when I come through the front door, with my magic sword, strike a chord
In accordance with the parameters of my ordinance
I'll use to dispose of the darkness

But hark this, my arrows of light will continue the fight between wrong and the right
Despite your desire to smite me, can't accept defeat, a punk like you
Could never beat the omnipotent Link
With the love of the princess in distress, is this the test?
You've messed with the best and... oh, you know the rest.

Lookin' through the castle, wanna know where the Skull Kid is
Wanna get the mask back and attract the love of my princess

Need a map and a compass and I got this
Amidst the mist, I get the jist,
But that kid's on my list cause he's got me pissed
'Cause never in my life, has Link been dissed

Will the notes of my flute let the princess know of my presence
Let the essence of my song persuade her
To continue on and play along

[Zelda vox]

Link:

BOOM, as I come in the main room
Ready for a showdown at high noon
Got my fairy in a jar, keepin' death afar
Hope you're ready and your skills on par

Doesn't even matter what you think you got plannin'
I'll put you down like a dog, same as Ganon
'Cause the princess and me, will live happily
Until the end of time and the holy jubilee

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