16th July 2009

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free samples I

So I’d like to start things off with a pretty lengthy project:

THE BEST HIP-HOP SAMPLES OF OUR OR ANY GENERATION.

After a decent amount of research and a hell of a lot of youtubing, I put together a list of a LOT of great samples from the olden days that ignorant kids like us will be able to recognize in their favorite OutKast or Biggie songs.

Set I is just ahead:

I. The “It’s Science” Set

These are pretty obvious samples. Most moderate hip hop fans know that these exist, or can at least easily imagine that they exist. If you DIDN’T know they existed: well, now you can smugly point them out when they come on at a party/in the car/over the sound system at a professional sporting event. “Oh Chaka Khan? Yea I have her box set, not a big deal or anything. I was definitely a huge fan of “Through The Fire” before Kanye even THOUGHT about sampling it…”

1. Stevie Wonder - Do I Do

I’d like to lodge my formal objection to someone like Ja having the gumption to sample someone like Stevie to make a song something like that. Discraceful. Sometimes I want some answers that Ja Rule might not have right now. WHERE IS JA???

New Track: Ja Rule – Livin’ it Up

2. Chic - Good Times

It’s only proper that one of hip-hop’s first megahits was based on a pretty funky disco song.

New Track: Sugar Hill Gang – Rapper’s Delight

3. Curtis Mayfield - Move on Up

The horn line on the track is effortlessly smooth; good pick by Kanye.

New Track: Kanye West – Touch the Sky

4. Michael McDonald - I Keep Forgettin’

For the record, I absolutely love the original track. However, I think Michael McDonald is exactly the “geek on the street” that the preamble to the Warren G track warns us about. But spare me the jokes about Mike lifted straight from 40 Y.O.V.; Mic Mac has a sultry smooth voice: like butter mixed with Sunny D. In a good way. (@1:30).

New Track: Warren G - Regulate

5. Bobby Bland - Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City

A beautiful use by Jay-Z. Great tracks, both. (Also give this version a try, with Jaguar Wright on the backing vocals, screaming her lungs out in the most awesome way possible.)

New Track: Jay-Z – Heart of the City

6. Maze feat. Frankie Beverly - Joy & Pain

At 0:55. I’m sure we’ve all heard this one at a fratfest.

New Track: Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock – Joy & Pain

7. Duran Duran – Notorious

Crystal.

New Track: Notorious B.I.G. – Notorious

8. Through the Fire – Chaka Khan

0:58. Does anyone else know why Kanye took a shine to using sped-up really high-pitched vocals for so many songs on “College Dropout”?

New Track: Kanye West – Through the Wire (See? “Wire” rhymes with “fire.”)

9. I’m Coming Out - Diana Ross

Nothing much to say. Diana Ross is pretty awesome. And not just because Michael Jackson named her in Page 4 of his last will & testament to take care of his kiddies in case Mom Jackson can’t hack it.

New Track: Notorious B.I.G. feat. Everyone From 1997 East Coast Hip-Hop – Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems

10. John Holt – I Will

Nothing wrong with taking a great horn line and easing it into an equally fresh beat.

New Track: Jay-Z – Encore

11. The Shadows – Apache

AND

The Incredible Bongo Band - Apache

I really implore you to listen to the Bongo version all the way through…it’s pretty effing funky. It’s been referenced and sampled SO many times, especially the extensive drum break. However, the Sugarhill Gang’s use of the basic melody is by far the song’s most famous appearance. It seems almost everyone knows how to do the spinny-around-cowboy-roping dance during the famed melody.

…..And that’s Set I. Stick around for Sets II & III. AAAAAND maybe even a set for Will Smith all by his lonesome. Thanks for reading.