With the word coming down of the passing of Melvin Bliss last week, it seemed more than fitting to get this together, the first proper post in the “Top 5’s” section, all on the most iconic break-beats in Hip-Hop history. The choice of “iconic” is a deliberate one. Though many of these songs have been sampled 100s of times, it’s not just the fact that they have been mega-sampled that makes them iconic, it’s how they’ve been sampled and how they stick in the mind. So, here’s my list of the 5 most iconic breaks in Hip-Hop history, feel free to add your own in the comments section.
5: Melvin Bliss – “Synthetic Substitution”
With it’s massive drums and gloomy piano/organ, “Synthetic” is certainly one of the most sampled tracks of all time. It might also be the best overall song on this list, with observations on a dystopian world that seems a little too close to our present civilization from Mr. Bliss (RIP). To me it’s iconic status is secured by virtue of being on one of the earliest and still to this best examples of sampling on record, Ultramagnetic MC’s “Ego Trippin’” a song that continues to sound ahead of its time now almost 25 years since it’s initial release. For a mix of some of the other classic tracks to use this break look no further than this mix put together by Matthew Africa
Melvin Bliss – “Synthetic Substitution”
Ultramagnetic MC’s – “Ego Trippin'”
4: Lyn Collins – “Think (About It)”
Though this James Brown produced track gets associated mostly with Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock’s “It Takes Two” it’s been sampled by a ton of others as well, from Chubb Rock to Kool Moe Dee to Slick Rick to even more R&B/Pop based artists like New Edition, BoyzIIMen and Janet Jackson. It’s still amazing to me how few people recognize the original, until it hits the classic “It Takes Two” breakdown, but when it does, you understand immediately why I’d have it on this list.
Lyn Collins – “Think”
Rob Base & DJ Ez Rock – “It Takes Two”
3: The Winstons – “Amen Brother”
Another bedrock sample, that’s been chopped up and slowed down by countless artists. The “Amen” break is such an icon it even has an excellent documentary detailing the impact of this exceptional break on modern music. Besides it’s effect on Hip-Hop, the “Amen” break spawned a completely separate break-beat culture in Jungle/Drum’n’Bass and for that it deserves it’s legendary status.
The Winstons – “Amen Brother”
N.W.A. – “Straight Outta Compton”
2: James Brown – “Funky Drummer”
“Funky Drummer” might be the most sampled song in the history of Hip-Hop. While the drums have been used in songs like Public Enemy’s “Rebel Without A Pause” (matter of fact, is it even possible to think of the Bomb squad production sound without the use of “Funky Drummer”?) Eric B & Rakim’s “Lyrics of Fury” and my choice below LL’s “Mama Said Knock You Out,” don’t forget that many of the classic James Brown yelps and screams that punctuated many Golden Era productions came from this one as well. In the end though, it always comes back to Clyde Stubblefield’s massive drums.
James Brown – “The Funky Drummer”
LL Cool J – “Mama Said Knock You Out”
1: Freddie Scott – “(You) Got What I Need”
Unlike the other tracks here, Freddie Scott’s “(You) Got What I Need” has not been sampled to death, in fact it’s only been sampled a couple of times. This one heads the list because after Biz Markie sampled this for his “Just A Friend” it was absolutely impossible for anyone else to even attempt to sample this. Biz makes such brilliant use of the opening drums and the hook that anytime you hear even a snippet of this track, people immediately think of it as “Just A Friend.” Even at soul clubs, when I play the original, people sing the Biz Markie lyrics “But you say he’s just a friend,” instead of Freddie Scott’s original lyrics.
It’s also at the top of this list because I don’t think there is a more life affirming action than dropping the needle on Biz’s version or the original and having people immediately respond and start singing with the chorus. I would argue that no Hip-Hop song, including “Rapper’s Delight” has brought more people together in good times than this song and because of that, I don’t think there is a mightier sample than this one.
Freddie Scott – “(You) Got What I Need”
Biz Markie @ the Apollo in 1990 – “Just A Friend”