Samples of History

T.I.’s album cover for King Uncaged features the ATL rapper seated next to a lion, drawing an obvious parallel between the recently-released-from-jail rapper and the king of the jungle, as well as a fleeting nod to a classic 70’s soul album from Minnie Riperton.

It goes without saying that Kanye West, who celebrated a birthday yesterday, is one of hip-hop’s greatest producers.

On the extended version of his 1988 single “I Wish U Heaven,” Prince sang “Take this beat / I don’t mind / Got plenty others / and they’re so fine!”

Today marks the 68th anniversary of the birth of one of black music’s greatest songwriters, Curtis Mayfield.

Led Zeppelin is considered by many to be one of the greatest bands in the history of rock music, but their roots clearly lie in the tradition of the blues.

Hip hop producers are known for digging deep in the crates for the records they use to create the songs we all know and love.  No genre is immune from being sampled!