Drift into the dreamy world of a seminal hip-hop track that masterfully sampled an iconic new wave classic.
P.M. Dawn's "Set Adrift On Memory Bliss" transported hip-hop to a dreamy, ethereal dimension, forever blurring genre lines.
The Song
"Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" is the iconic second single from American hip-hop group P.M. Dawn's debut album, Of the Heart, of the Soul and of the Cross: The Utopian Experience, released in August 1991. The song is renowned for its smooth, mellow sound, a significant departure from the more aggressive hip-hop popular at the time.
The track is famously built around a prominent sample of Spandau Ballet's 1983 hit "True," providing its lush, dreamy melody. Additionally, it incorporates drum samples from The Soul Searchers' "Ashley's Roachclip" and percussions from Bob James' version of Paul Simon's "Take Me to the Mardi Gras". Attrell "Prince Be" Cordes, the lead vocalist of P.M. Dawn, and Gary Kemp, the writer of "True," are credited as the songwriters.
The Artist
P.M. Dawn was an American hip-hop and R&B act formed in 1988 by brothers Attrell Cordes (known as Prince Be) and Jarrett Cordes (known as DJ Minutemix) in Jersey City, New Jersey. The duo quickly gained recognition for their unique blend of hip-hop with elements of soul, R&B, and psychedelic pop, creating a "utopian" sound.
Their music often featured philosophical lyrics and a distinct lack of the macho posturing prevalent in much of early 90s hip-hop, leading to both critical acclaim and some criticism from more traditional hip-hop artists. Prince Be's stepfather, George Brown, was a founding member of Kool & The Gang, which likely influenced their musical journey. Prince Be passed away in 2016 at the age of 46 due to complications from diabetes.
Chart Performance
"Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" was a monumental commercial success, becoming P.M. Dawn's only number-one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. Its chart reign was particularly notable as it was the first song to officially reach number one after the debut of the Nielsen SoundScan system, which provided more accurate monitoring of airplay and sales. While officially charting for one week at #1, test charts suggested it was at the top for at least three weeks.
The single also performed strongly internationally, reaching number one in New Zealand, number three in the United Kingdom, and number seven in Australia. The song was certified Gold in both Australia and the United States for sales exceeding 35,000 and 500,000 units, respectively.
Cultural Impact
"Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" is considered a landmark track for its innovative fusion of genres and its gentle, melodic approach to hip-hop. It played a significant role in expanding the boundaries of what hip-hop could sound like, paving the way for more introspective and melodically rich styles. The song's success challenged the prevailing "gangsta rap" movement of the time, demonstrating the commercial viability of a softer, more ethereal sound.
The track has been recognized by various media outlets for its enduring legacy; VH1 ranked it number 81 on their "100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop," and Blender placed it at number 94 on their list of "Greatest Songs Since You Were Born" in 2005. Its distinct sound proved influential, inspiring other artists to embrace similar aesthetics and contributing to the emergence of categories like "Best Melodic Rap Performance" at the Grammys.
Fun Facts
- The music video for "Set Adrift on Memory Bliss" was directed by Mark Pellington, known for his later work on films like Arlington Road.
- Spandau Ballet's Tony Hadley, the lead singer of the group whose song was sampled, makes an appearance in the video, seen falling into a pool while wearing the suit from the "True" video.
- The lyrics contain subtle references to other songs, including Wham!'s "Careless Whisper" and The Pointer Sisters' "Neutron Dance". There's also a nod to A Tribe Called Quest's "Bonita Applebum" with the line "Christina Applegate, you gotta put me on."
- In 2005, Prince Be suffered a massive stroke that left him partially paralyzed. P.M. Dawn later appeared on the show Hit Me, Baby, One More Time, winning $20,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
- For a period, the original recording of the song was largely unavailable on streaming services due to a re-recorded version made by Prince Be's cousin, Doc G, after Prince Be's health declined. However, the original recording was made available again on streaming services in March 2024.