Hip hop music was originally played by live bands. However, producers like Marly Marl felt bands did not accurately capture the sound of hip hop that was popular in places like Harlem and the Bronx. That sound involved scratching, echoes, beatboxing, and breakbeats - elements that were difficult for live bands to recreate. This disconnect between the studio recordings and live hip hop events influenced producers to start using drum machines and samplers rather than bands.