The Godfather: 25 Classic James Brown Hip-Hop Samples

It is no secret that funk music wouldn’t exist as we know it without James Brown. The exact same can be said for Hip-Hop culture in its entirety.

The Godfather of Soul is one of the most sampled artist of all-time and he easily holds the top rank when it comes to rap music. It’s not a coincidence, either. His eternally funky drum loops and heavy brass orchestras equated to the perfect BPM translations for rappers of yesteryear to actually spit weighty lyrics over.

Additionally, legendary producers such as Dr. Dre and Pete Rock grew up in households heavily populated with the late genius’ music, so their influence carried over to the very same genre they were making history with.

Ice Cube releasing attested to the same in an interview with HipHopDX, simply stating ““We wouldn’t have rap music without James Brown. What we started doing in the ‘80s, he was doing that 30, 40, 50 years ago.”

As Hollywood prepares to give a history lesson to the masses on the Godfather’s life in the new film, Get On Up, we decided to honor the legend in our own special way.

Here are 25 classic James Brown Hip-Hop samples from his bottomless discography that birthed rap staples.

Go see Get On Up tomorrow, August 1st and read our review of the film as well.

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Photo: Universal

Slum Village – “I Don’t Know”

Samples: “Sex Machine”, “Make It Funky”, “My Thang”

LL Cool J – “Mama Said Knock You Out”

Samples: “Funky Drummer”

We’re still not calling it a comeback but JB helped Uncle L climb out of the struggle that was Walking with a Panther.

Jay-Z & Kanye West – “Otis”

Samples: “Don’t Tell a Lie About Me and I Won’t Tell the Truth on You”

Why not nickname it “James” as well?

Public Enemy – “Bring the Noise”

Samples: “Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved”

One good revolutionary jam deserves another.

Mos Def – “Mathematics”

Samples: “Funky Drummer”

The record just adds up classic flavor.

Beanie Sigel – “Man’s World”

Samples: “It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World”

Estrogen need not apply…

Salt-N-Pepa – “Push It”

Samples: I’m a Greedy Man

…but sometimes women can swing the hardest.

Cypress Hill – “Insane in the Brain”

Samples: “I’m Black and I’m Proud”

Food for thought.

The D.O.C. – “It’s Funky Enough”

Samples: “It’s a New Day So Let a Man Come in and Do the Popcorn (Live)”

The real birth of the G-Funk Era.

Das EFX – “Mic Checka”

Samples: “Soul Power Pt I”, “The Payback”

The funkiest slang you ever did hear.

BJ the Chicago Kid ft. Kendrick Lamar – “His Pain”

Samples: “Sunny”

The legacy Godfather Brown left is in good hands.

The Notorious B.I.G. – “Just Playing (Dreams)”

Samples: “Blues and Pants”

Upon its release in 1993, you know Mr. Brown could relate to this record.

Public Enemy: “Welcome to the Terrordome”

Samples: “Soul Power, Pts. 1 & 2”, “Cold Sweat”, “I Got to Move”, “Give It Up or Turnit a Loose”, “Get Up, Get into It, Get Involved”

They don’t sample ’em like they used to.

Dr. Dre – “Let Me Ride”

Samples: “Funky Drummer”

The godfather of cruisin’ gangsta rap classics.

Childish Gambino – “3005”

Samples: “Funky President”

Yep. Mr. Brown was ahead of his time by about a 1,000 years.

Das EFX – “They Want EFX”

Samples: “The Payback”, “Blind Man Can See It”

Eric B. & Rakim – “Eric B. Is President”

Samples: “Funky President”

The DJ was the commander-in-chief. James Brown was the prime minister.

Nas – “Get Down”

Samples: “Funky Drummer”, “The Boss”

The art of soul storytelling.

De La Soul – “Stakes Is High”

Samples: “Mind Power”

One of their best.

Joe Budden – “Pump It Up”

Samples: “The Payback”

This joint was the jam and a royalty vacuum.

N.W.A. – “F**k Tha Police”

Samples: “Funky Drummer”

No love for the other side.

Redman – “A Day of Sooperman Lover”

Samples: “Papa Don’t Take No Mess”

How ironic is it that no-nonsense daddy anthem was used for one of rap’s most outrageous stories?

Total ft. The Notorious B.I.G. – “Can’t You See”

Samples: “The Payback”

Slowed down to perfection.

Big Sean, Jay Z, Kanye West – “Clique”

Samples: “Funky President”

Our generation’s version of the Famous Flames.

Pete Rock & CL Smooth – “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)”

Samples: “Say It Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud”

G.O.A.T.