Single2001Atomic number 17
It Began in Afrika
Ground #DE9B18Ink 1 #21171DInk 2 #311920Accent #BF152APlate colours (taken from the artwork)
Contrast body 8.8:1 heading 7.3:1
Pulse 134 BPM (measured)
Listen
The video embedded on the official site1 Open on YouTube
Record
Tracklist
Music
- BPM
- 134 BPM
- Key
- Am (8A)
Technology
Context
Testimony
“The idea was for future primitive”
Reviews
“the most wilfully extreme and experimental piece of music ever to make the Top 10”
“a rapid, heart-pounding conga workout that distills the quick reflexes and primal urges of a cheetah hunt”
View (DJ Naoyaman)
Before its release, it went out to DJs.
"It Began in Afrika" was born in 2000, at the start of the Come with Us sessions. It was first played at the end of that year, while they were supporting U2. In summer 2001 they sent it to DJs on white label to see how it went down in the clubs, then released it as a single in September.4
It reached No. 8 in the UK and No. 1 on the American dance chart.3 It samples Jim Ingram's "Drumbeat".7
I love that order. Ask the floor first, then put it in the shops. I don't think a DJ has a more honest place to test their own music.
Translated from the Japanese original.
Afterwards
Own
The link above is an Amazon Associates affiliate link.
- YouTube, “The Chemical Brothers - It Began In Afrika”
- The Chemical Brothers, “Official site: It Began in Afrika (release page)”
- Wikipedia, “The Chemical Brothers discography”
- Diffuser, “15 Years Ago: Chemical Brothers Ramp Up Their Sound on 'Come With Us'”
- The Guardian, “The Guardian, It Began in Afrika mention”
- Pitchfork, “Pitchfork: Come with Us review”
- russ.fm, “Come With Us (release notes)”