As 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop, it should be noted that Grammy legends Kool & the Gang stand as the most sampled band within the Hip Hop music culture.
According to the Who Sampled website, there are 1,898 documented samples of Kool & the Gang’s songs. The top being the classic instrumentals “N.T.” from their 1971 album, “Live At P.J.’s” and their longtime hit, “Summer Madness”, off the “Light Of Worlds” disc (1974).
CLICK HERE FOR WHO SAMPLED WEBSITE
The most well known sample of “Summer Madness” is found on the 1981 #1 hit from DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (Will Smith), “Summertime”. As for “N.T.”, the drum break (played by Kool & the Gang co-founder George Brown) within that track was sampled by Nas (“N.Y. State of Mind”) and N.W.A.
(“Gangsta Gangsta”) among 352 known samples for that one tune.
"SUMMER MADNESS"
“N.T.”
It should also be noted that one sampled Kool & the Gang classic, “Jungle Boogie”, is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year as well.
"JUNGLE BOOGIE”
Let’s celebrate good times with Kool & the Gang, commemorating this 50th anniversary salute to Hip-Hop.
PR/Media Contact
Angelo A. Ellerbee
Double XXposure Media Relations
