R’n’B & Hip-Hop Update – Sample Special

Music is something that has to constantly evolve and progress to stay fresh and exciting for us fans out there. New genres are often inspired from other well established types of music. Evidence would point to how you  can see R’n’B in the mainstream has strayed into dance/club music. Drum and bass has timid relations to funky house and even old school garage. If you look hard enough there’s plenty of interlinking in the industry. One of the most used and famous is the link between old school R’n’B/Soul music to modern day Hip-Hop.

Kanye West is perhaps the most famous proprietor of this fad using samples in almost every song he produces, like Michael Jackson’s – ‘PYT’ evident in his hit ‘The Good Life’ with T-Pain, as well as sampling Luther Vandross – ‘A House Is Not a Home’ in the global smash ‘Slow Jamz’ which he produced and featured on for Twista.

On my usual rummage for new tracks, I came across a track from Don Trip featuring R’n’B’s new star Jerimiah called ‘Still Got Love 4 Ya’. It’s a very decent track in its own right if you like laid back rapping with a smooth chorus, as so many ‘gangster’ (if that term really still applies) rappers seem to be attempting. I noticed the track straight away from one of my favourite early 90’s groups headed up by world famous producer Teddy Riley, Guy. ‘Let’s Chill’ was the first release from their 1991 album ‘The Future’ which although went platinum, wasn’t as successful as their monster self-titled first album.

Listening to the song got me thinking about other songs that have been released in similar vein in recent times. Below are 10 songs with heavy early late 80’s/early 90’s influence with a modern twist on them which can still find themselves very welcome in today’s market.

Plies Feat. Ashanti – Want It, Need It. (Sampled from Dwele – On Two Occasions)
Boxie Feat. Juelz Santana – Let Me Show You. (Samples The Jackson 5 – Show You The Way To Go)
Chris Brown – She Ain’t You. (Samples Michael Jackson – Human Nature)
Ray-J Feat. Papoose – Sex You Up. (Samples Color Me Badd – I Wanna Sex You Up)
Pleasure P – First Time. (Samples DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince – Summertime)
Lil Romeo – My Cinderella. (Samples Shai – If I Ever Fall In Love)
G-Unit Feat. Joe – I Wanna Get To Know You. (Samples Marvin Gaye – Come Live With Me Angel)
Karina Pasian Feat. Sammie – Brokenhearted. (Samples Brandy – Brokenhearted)
Amerie Feat. Lloyd Banks & Trey Songz – Brown Eyes. (Samples Mint Condition – Pretty Brown Eyes)
Smitty Feat. Chris Brown & Mario – Tell Me (Samples The S.O.S Band – Tell Me If You Still Care)

I believe Chris Brown’s – She Ain’t You and G-Unit’s - I Wanna Get To Know You are the only one’s out of that list to be released into the charts so if you haven’t heard or aren’t familiar with the rest, get at them!

Before I go I have a couple tracks fresh out this week I’ll mention as well as some old R’n’B tips if you fancy a Youtube adventure.

Tone Trump Feat. Beanie Sigel & I-Know Brasco – We Winning.

Although I would argue none of these rappers are particularly winning in the grand scheme of things, this track has got a catchy beat and likeable chorus. I normally switch off when a bunch of commercially mediocre rappers jump on the same track, but I remember Tone Trump from his track with Akon – Hands in the Sky, so I gave this a chance and I’m glad I did.

Lola Monroe Feat. Wiz Khalifa – Gettin’ To It.

Yet another female rapper trying to make a name for herself. The days of Da Brat and Lil Kim’ were so long ago that all between them and now was Ludacris’ DTP (disturbing the peace) rapper Shawna, who had one song noteworthy tops (Getting’ some head remix is alright actually). However since Nicki Minaj burst on to the scene it seems the mainstream taboo is broken and record companies are trusting the chicks on the mic once more. This is another hard-hitting robotic kind of beat which I must credit Monroe’s for lacing a flow which takes precedence over the banger.

To leave you with, below are five R’n’B/Hip-Hop tracks I remember grabbing off mix-tapes a few years ago and popped up on my shuffle giving me a delightful reminder of how good they were. If you haven’t heard them, get on it.

·         Elijah Harris Feat. Game – Keep Breaking My Heart

·         Donnell Jones – Baby It’s You

·         Sean Garrett Feat Lil. Wayne – Girlfriends Ringtone

·         Chris Brown & Tyga – G-Shit

·         Boxie Feat. Dave Bing – I’m In Love