One of the things that makes Kendrick Lamar’s catalog so enjoyable is his ability to infuse jazz, R&B, and so many other genres into his music. He did it on his legendary diss track, “Not Like Us,” and has done so on several other songs throughout his career.
Suggested Reading
Here are some of the most obscure and iconic songs Lamar has sampled, everything from James Brown and Luther Vandross to Hiatus Kaiyote and Beach House
Cheryl Lynn and Luther Vandross - “If This World Were Mine”
This beautiful duet from Cheryl Lynn and Luther Vandross was the blueprint for Lamar’s uber-popular hit track with SZA, “luther.” Throughout the song, Lynn and Vandross can be heard singing the chorus before Lamar and SZA harmonize over the beautiful production.
Beach House - “Silver Soul”
This 2010 song from the Baltimore pop band helped create one of the most beloved album cuts from Lamar, “Money Trees.” For many hardcore K. Dot fans, this is the best track he’s ever made, and produced a fabulous verse from fellow LA rapper Jay Rock.
2Pac - “Made N****s”
Longtime Tupac Shakur fans knew exactly what Lamar was doing once they heard “reincarnated.” However, this track is not one of Pac’s most popular, making it more impressive that Lamar sampled and interpolated the record.
James Brown - “Get Up Offa That Thing”
As an MC who is always trying to highlight Black culture and pay homage to some of the Black trailblazers in the music industry, it’s not surprise James Brown was sampled on Lamar’s 2017 track, “XXX.”
Bruno Mars - “24K Magic”
It’s always cool when an artist samples another contemporary artist. Less than a year after this hit song from Bruno Mars was released, it was sampled on Lamar’s “Loyalty,” which featured Rihanna.
The Isley Brothers - “That Lady”
People who grew up on The Isley Brothers immediately knew that Lamar was sampling the beloved soul group when “i” dropped. Although the track did not immediately resonate with fans, it set the stage for the Compton MC’s most critically acclaimed album, “To Pimp a Butterfly.”
The Jet Age of Tomorrow - “The Knight Hawk”
This production duo created the blueprint for one of Lamar’s most popular songs before the release of his 2012 major label debut, “good kid, m.A.A.d city.” Lamar’s frequent collaborator, Sounwave, essentially just had to add drums to create the beat for “A.D.H.D.”
Woodkid - “Iron”
Woodkid, a French singer and songwriter, had no idea he helped create one of Lamar’s most underrated tracks when he released this song in 2011. It was sampled on Lamar’s “The Spiteful Chant,” which is unfortunately no longer on streaming services.
Boom Clap Bachelors - “Tiden Flyver”
You shouldn’t be allowed to call yourself a Kendrick Lamar fan if you don’t realize where the Compton MC sampled this track. It was used on one of his earliest singles, “B***h, Don’t Kill My Vibe.”
Teddy Pendergrass - “You’re My Latest, My Greatest Inspiration”
Anyone who paid close attention to the beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake should recognize this song. Lamar sampled it on his first official diss track aimed at Drizzy, “Euphoria.”
Debbie Deb - “When I Hear Music
If you’re wondering about the sample that pops in near the beginning of “squabble Up,” it’s this 1984 single from Debbie Deb. She never quite got the acclaim she wanted during her prime, but she is now being recognized with the help of Lamar.
Hiatus Kaiyote - “Atari”
This Australian jazz and funk band is a favorite among tastemakers in hip-hop and has been sampled by several artists, including Anderson .Paak, Drake, and Beyoncé. For Lamar, 9th Wonder sampled it on “DUCKWORTH.”
SWV - “Use Your Heart”
Many 90s R&B fans knew exactly the song Lamar was sampling when they got to “heart pt. 6" on “GNX.” It’s just cool to see this 1996 get some shine nearly three decades later.
Janet Jackson - “Any Time, Any Place”
Back when Kendrick Lamar and Drake were on good terms, they sampled this 1993 song from Janet Jackson on their 2012 collab, “Poetic Justice.”
The 24-Karat Black - “Poverty’s Paradise”
This lengthy track from The 24-Karat Black, a 70s soul band based in Cincinnati, was used to produce one of Lamar’s most introspective and personal tracks, “FEAR.”
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