25 Influential Hip Hop Samples

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  • Lafayette Afro Rock Band, "Hihache"
  • Billy Squier, "The Big Beat"
  • The Isley Brothers, "Footsteps in the Dark"
  • Al Green, "I'm Glad You're Mine"
  • Minnie Riperton, "Inside My Love"
  • Sly and the Family Stone, "Sing a Simple Song"
  • Bob James, "Nautilius"
  • Kool and the Gang, "N.T."
  • Bob James, "Mardi Gras"
  • George Clinton, "Atomic Dog"
  • 25 Influential Hip Hop Samples
  • 25 Influential Hip Hop Samples
  • Skulls Snaps, "It's a New Day"
  • The Winstons, "Amen, Brother"
  • Melvin Bliss, "Synthetic Substitution"
  • James Brown, "Funky Drummer"
  • Babe Ruth, "The Mexican"
  • Cymande, "Bra"
  • 25 Influential Hip Hop Samples
  • Ohio Players, "Funky Worm"
  • James Brown, "Funky President (It's Bad)"
  • 25 Influential Hip Hop Samples
  • The Honey Drippers, "Impeach the President"
  • Donny Hathaway
  • Eric B. and Rakim
  • Joe Tex, "Papa Was Too"

The Isley Brothers, "Footsteps in the Dark"

This classic 1977 slow jam from the Brothers Isley formed the foundation for Ice Cube's "It Was a Good Day" and provided banging drums for J Dilla's swan-song single "Won't Do." Alicia Keys, Usher, Redman and many others have followed suit.

(photo: Motown)