James Brown is known as a pioneer of funk and soul, ushering in a new era of music that was fueled by heavy basslines and rhythmic grooves that have been making people get up and dance for decades.
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While his moves inspired great performers like Prince, Michael Jackson and Usher, his music is beloved by some of the greatest hip-hop and R&B artists, who sampled the vocals and the infectious melodies from some of Brown’s biggest hits.
As we remember the life of “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business,” who passed away on Dec. 25, 2006, we’re looking at some of the James Brown classics that artists love to sample.
“Funky Drummer”
There’s a reason why “Funky Drummer” is one of James Brown’s most sampled songs. Clyde Stubblefield’s insane drum break is one of the most recognizable parts of the song and a favorite of DJs and breakdancers.
“Funky Drummer” has been sampled over 2,000 times in hip-hop classics like Run-DMC’s “Run’s House” and “Mama Said Knock You Out” by LL Cool J.
“The Payback”
“The Payback” is the title track of Brown’s 37th studio album which was released in 1973. The funky riff has been sampled nearly 500 times in hits like “Can’t You See” by Total feat. Notorious B.I.G and “Hold On” by En Vogue. You can feel the raw emotion in every note as Brown sings about getting revenge on someone who stabs him in the back and gets with his woman.
“Soul Power”
In 1971, James Brown and the JBs dropped “Soul Power,” a 12-minute jam session that was released in three parts. The song found new life in hip-hop tracks in the 1980s and 1990s, including “Let’s Get Serious” by Kool Moe Dee and “Total Kaos” by EPMD.
“Funky President (People It’s Bad)”
Released in 1974, “Funky President (People It’s Bad)” has been sampled over 1,000 times in classic hip-hop singles like Eric B. & Rakim’s “Eric B. is President” and Brand Nubian’s “All For One.”
“Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved”
The hook is one of the most recognizable elements of the track “Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved,” which can be heard in Public Enemy’s “Bring The Noise” and Boogie Down Productions’ “South Bronx.”
“Hot Pants”
You can hear elements of James Brown’s 1971 two-part single “Hot Pants” in songs like Prince’s “Housequake” and Gang Starr’s “2 Steps Ahead.”
“The Boss”
“The Boss” was featured on the soundtrack for the 1973 Blaxploitation film “Black Caesar.” Elements of the song can be heard in hip-hop records like Nas’ “Get Down” and Ice-T’s “You Played Yourself.”
“Say it Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud”
In the late 1960s, James Brown released one of his biggest hits, which went on to become an empowering anthem during the Civil Rights Movement. Since its release, “Say It Loud, I’m Black, and I’m Proud” has been sampled nearly 300 times, on songs like Cypress Hill’s “Insane in the Brain” and Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.).”
“Think (About It)”
In 1972, James Brown produced the Lyn Collins funk classic, “Think (About It).” It should come as no surprise that the song has been sampled more than 4,000 times, including one of the most famous uses, Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock’s “It Takes Two.”
“Get On The Good Foot”
“Get on the Good Foot” was featured on Brown’s 34th studio album and sampled more than 280 times on hip-hop tracks”Freedom of Speak (We Got Three Minutes)” by De La Soul and “Raw” by Big Daddy Kane.
“Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose”
James Brown’s 1970 single “Give It Up or Turnit A Loose” is by far one of the funkiest, which is why it has been picked apart and used in several hip-hop songs. Brown’s vocals are sampled on “Mostly The Voice” by Gang Starr and “100 Miles and Runnin’” by N.W.A.
“(Get Up I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine”
In 1970, Brown also released “(Get Up I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine,” which has been sampled more than 260 times in songs like “I Shouldn’t Have Done It” by Slick Rick.
“Pass the Peas”
In 1972, James Brown’s band the JBs released “Pass the Peas,” a funky instrumental that’s made for dancing. The song is sampled in more than 80 times in songs, including “I Ain’t No Joke” by Eric B. & Rakim and “The Overweight Lover’s in the House” by Heavy D & The Boyz.
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