Oddmusic is home to unique, odd, ethnic, experimental and unusual musical instruments and resources. Tour the Gallery, see in-depth sections featuring artisans who blazed new trails or are on the cutting edge of new and previously unheard musical instruments.

The World's Most Amazing InstrumentTraditionally percussion and various musical instruments have been the calling card of culture, time and civilization. Whatever, you have to admit this is quite an impressive instrument. All these four pictures are of : ABSOLUT MACHINES - Amazing robotic, web connected ping-pong tossing musical instrument, a large-scale electromechanical sculpture. Dan Paluska (the other maker is Jeff Lieberman) - they have created the "ABSOLUT QUARTET", an "automated multi-instrumental orchestral machine, a large-scale electromechanical sculpture consisting of three instruments and thousands of parts, working together to create one piece of music. The main timbre is a marimba played by balls shot from a robotic cannon. Other components include a series of wineglasses played by little robotic fingers and an array of robotic percussive instruments". Due Capi

Due Capi- Italian for “Two Heads”, the instrument is made from aluminum, wood, drum heads, and contains piezo pickups. The Due Capi was invented and created by Oliver DiCicco of the group Mobius Operandi.

Hydraulophone

Boxbass

The happy drum

The unique tone of the HAPI Drum, is created by a tuned vibrating tongue of steel. The concept is similar to a wooden tongue drum. When a tongue is quickly and lightly struck with the finger or mallet, it vibrates creating sound waves. Playing a HAPI is similar to playing the Hang Drum, though the similarities end there, as it is a totally different type of musical instrument.

The pipe organ

An amazing musical instrument, an hydraulis pipe organ, the first keyboard musical instrument in history, invented by Ktesibios of Alexandria, a 3rd century BC engineer. It consists of 27 bronze pipes, 2cm. diameter and varying in length up to 1.20 metres, and 16 pipes of 1 cm. diameter, placed on a box. The organ was operated by air pumped under pressure through water and controlled by keys. This is the earliest example of the hydraulis organ which was the forerunner of church organs.

Legendary multi-instrumentalist and dulcimer maker, Homer Ledford (1926-2006) playing the Musical Saw at the Kentucky Governor's Mansion in 1997

The saw is generally played seated with the handle squeezed between the legs, and the far end held with one hand. It is generally played with the teeth facing the body. In the early 20th century the Musical Saw began to get very popular in America and Europe as well. It is also known as the Singing Saw, as it produces a very pure ethereal tone, and can sound similar to a woman’s high singing voice.

Bowafridgeaphone

The name of this mammoth beast is the Bowafridgeaphone (bow a fridge a phone). Experimental instrument maker Iner Souster has used refrigerator grates in quite a few of his instruments… Fridge grates, oh fridge grates I love you. Violin bows, on the other hand, are quite afraid of his instruments.

Other items include a broken old speaker, a bundt cake pan, metal salad bowl, and the few other pieces of metal he had lying around his spaceship workshop. There’s also 36 strings along the body to help with its resonance, and pick up a few sympathetic tones along the way.

The Car Music Project was conceived in late 1991 by composer Bill Milbrodt (mil-brōt), when his personal car, a battered and road-weary 1982 Honda Accord, was nearing the end of its useful life.

Milbrodt explains, “It had endured close to 200,000 miles of road life with little mechanical maintenance and even less cosmetic attention. It would cost more to repair than it was worth and the poor thing had virtually no value as a trade-in. The paint was faded, pesky springs poked through the upholstery, knobs and handles were missing, and the electrical system was iffy. It dripped oil, blew smoke, and made more noise than a cement mixer. It was time to turn the car into music.”

We have compiled the Top Ten Best Hip Hop / Rap Artists of all time. Great care went into our selection and we appreciate any comments you may have regarding our top ten.

10. Talib Kweli

Talib Kweli certainly does not have the wide ranging album sales or international recognition, however there is probably no hip hop artist more respected than Kweli. At this point, you won’t find Kweli in any mainstream hip hop top 10 lists however maybe that’s because he chooses to avoid rapping about hoes, drugs, and money. Whatever the case, Kweli has made an enormous impact on Hip Hop and with a little more wider recognition would move up this list.

9. Q-Tip

Presently he gos by the name “Kamaal Tha Abstract”, however Q-Tip has been instrumental with the development and progression of the hip hop movement through the remarkable Tribe Called Quest. Focused on Q-Tip’s suave voice and melodic rhymes, Quest brought two undeniably classic albums which cross over into great international success.

8. LL Cool J

LL Cool J’s staying power and commercial appeal are evidenced by his consistent release of Gold and Platinum albums. LL has hit on every genre in rap from the hardcore to the club bangers to the suave recordings. Each time, LL brings us a new and improved sound and an amazing presentation and performance.

7. Busta Rhymes

Busta Rhymes has been a staple in the hip hop community since his Leaders of the New School beginnings. Busta has constantly re-invented himself in the process, banging out club hits and thought provoking songs for over two decades. Busta does shy away from anything and his in your face style has motivated an entire generation.

6. Nas

Nas, aka God’s son has the raw talent to be one of the best ever. On each album, Nas takes us on a journey exercising his artistic range. Nas does not fear controversy, including making favorable comments about Hitler. Nas’ talents are undeniable and he has made his mark on hip hop.

5. Snoop Dogg fka Snoop Doggie Dogg

Snoop Dogg aka Calvin Broadus hit the music scene with the assistance and tutilege from the greatest hip hop producer of all time Dr. Dre. Snoop Dogg’s impact and appeal on hip hop can be seen by his broad international success. He continues to remain the most recognizable hip hop / rap artist in the world.

4. Jay Z

Jay Z broke onto the scene in 1996 and since then has created an empire in music and Hip Hop. Hov also co founded Roc A Fella records and has assumed the presidency of Def Jam. Additionally Jay Z has launched careers of numerous platinum selling artists. Jay Z has achieved nearly everything that can be achieved in the rap and hip hop community.

3. Eminem (Marshall Mathers)

Slim Shady is a master lyricist and has unleashed his prowess on everyone from Michael Jackson to Moby to Benzino to his own mother. When Marshall Mathers brings it, he holds nothing back and has destroyed those who have attempted to even look in his direction. Eminem writes from the heart and personal experience and as his life changes, his songs change. Eminem has put a solid foot print in hip hop and with additional work will rise to become a legend.

2. Notorious B.I.G

Had Biggie not been gunned down in his prime, he would have become the best rapper ever. The Notorious BIG was the best of his time and his rhymes reflect the trials and tribulations leading to ultimate success of a true hip hop hustler. No one had the party moving more than Biggie. His classics remain in constant rotation on many radio stations and throughout many clubs worldwide.

1. Tupac (2 Pac) Shakur

Tupac is a rap and hip / hop legend. No hip hop artist stirs up more intense passion than 2 Pac. Even postmortem, Tupac continues to release and sell platinum albums. In fact more so than when he was a alive. Dee[ within his words, his passion and spirit resonates for his people and plight of the Black people. Tupac showed no fear and taught us how to be strong in the face of adversity. Once he captured your attention, he captured your heart with powerful messages supported by his enduring struggle for change.