Microphone Mathematics

Originally posted August, 15, 2008

Before Jay-Z had his “Izzo”. Before Snoop found his “Fo’ schizzle bizzle”. Frankie Smith was plizzayin’ dizzouble dizzutch and introducing folks to hip hop’s version of Pig Latin. The guy in the funny hat above was the one who introduced the “Izz” to hip hop culture back in 1981 with his song Double Dutch Bus. Since the track was regarded as R&B – the true introduction apparently came from E-40 (ahem…Ben).

Millze cillzan sillzome ….plilzay dilzzouble dilzutch!
Hilzzoo?
My gizzirl!
Brillzing her izzin!

Straight from the Wiki:

Although there are no hard-and-fast rules governing its usage, in general, the izz infix technique is performed by inserting izz, usually after a word’s last pre-vowel consonant in its final syllable without deleting any letters.

Examples: minute becomes minizzute, and Kazakhstan becomes Kazakhstizzan. One-syllable words generally translate better with this technique: cream becomes crizzeam, for example.

It can also be performed by inserting izz at the beginning of a lone vowel:  I  becomes Izzi   and O becomes Izzo. This specific technique is implemented in Jay-Z’s song “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” found on his album The Blueprint. (more here)

Give the song a try. It starts doin’ the ‘Izz’ around 1:52.

Frankie Smith’s “Double Dutch Bus” – HERE

The most straight-up homage to it would most likely be Missy Elliot’s “Gossip Folks” (below).