For the past half century, hip-hop DJs and producers have been in a constant state of competition to find the perfect sample to help bring a track to life. Unsurprisingly, the music of Memphis–particularly ‘60s and ‘70s soul–has proven to be an especially fruitful source for the perfect snippet. Although we’d love to list the hundreds of Memphis soul songs that have contributed to the vast hip-hop canon, we’re whittling it down to 5 of the most essential.
The Song: Wu-Tang Clan’s “C.R.E.A.M.” (1993)
The Sample: The Charmel’s “As Long As I’ve Got You” (1967)
Widely considered one of the most iconic songs in hip-hop history, Wu-Tang’s timeless “C.R.E.A.M.” was instrumental in ushering in the era of grimy NYC street tales that would later be adopted by the likes of Nas, the Notorious B.I.G, and countless others. RZA, the group’s de facto leader and producer, built the song off of a sample from Memphis girl group the Charmels, who were signed to Stax Records. Although the group’s single “As Long As I’ve Got You” failed to gain much traction during its time, the song’s eerie instrumentals proved to be a perfect fit for Wu-Tang’s ominous and dusty sound.
The Song: Missy Elliot’s “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” (1997)
The Sample: Ann Peebles’ “I Can’t Stand the Rain” (1973)
Last week, Missy Elliot’s debut hit single “The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)” was beamed 158 million miles to Venus by NASA, making it the first hip-hop song to ever be transmitted to space. Given how alien and otherworldly Missy was at the time of her introduction, this seems like a particularly appropriate choice. Produced by Timbaland, the song (and its iconic video) were unlike anything else happening in rap at the time and it helped to propel Missy into stardom. The song relies heavily on Ann Peebles’ signature hit “I Can’t Stand the Rain,” which John Lennon once called the greatest song ever made.
The Song: Geto Boys’ “Mind Playing Tricks on Me” (1991)
The Sample: Isaac Hayes’s “Hung Up on My Baby” (1974)
Although the South has been at the center of the hip-hop universe for nearly two decades at this point, a group of rappers from Texas was still seen as a novelty back in the early ’90s. Thankfully, Scarface and the Geto Boys quickly proved that the South had something to say with their breakout hit “Mind Playing Tricks on Me,” a harrowing tale of PTSD, paranoia, and suicidal ideation. The song is built off of an Isaac Hayes sample from his soundtrack to the action film Three Tough Guys, which he also strarred in. Hayes, who was renown for his large and complex orchestrations, remains a favorite of hip-hop producers to this day.
The Song: Jay-Z’s “Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love)” (2001)
The Sample: Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City” (1974)
Although it was never released as a single, Jay-Z’s “Heart of the City” remains one of his finest songs from the era when he was rightfully hailed as the Best Rapper Alive. Produced by an up-and-coming Kanye West (who claims the beat was originally intended for DMX), “Heart of the City” expertly samples a classic Bobby “Blue” Bland tune to drive home the song’s themes of jealousy and envy. For many people (including myself), the sample was their first introduction to the soulful blues of Bland, one of Memphis’ most underrated legends.
The Song: The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Who Shot Ya?” (1995)
The Sample: David Porter’s “(I’m Afraid) The Masquerade is Over” (1971)
Although Biggie’s 1995 track “Who Shot Ya?” was a respectable hit at the time of its release, the song has become the stuff of legend for helping to kick off one of the biggest (and most tragic) beefs in history. Widely considered to be a diss track against Tupac, the song was the opening salvo in what would become an all-out war against the East and West coasts. The song is built on a sample of David Porter’s strange and woozy “(I’m Afraid) The Masquerade is Over” from his epic soul opera Victim of the Joke? Best known as Isaac Haye’s writing partner at Stax Records, Porter’s solo career as a musician is filled with unheralded gems that have become a favorite of producers across the globe.
