Classic Black Musicians Who Were Sampled In Superstar Tracks

With Black Music Month coming to an end, we have to take a moment to highlight some of the greats. From Otis Redding and The Chi-Lites to Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone, Black musicians have made invaluable contributions to the landscape of American music.

Naturally, various current superstars have opted to sample tracks from some of these iconic artists in jams of their own. Oftentimes, the result is musical magic!

In honor of Black Music Month, here are 9 Black musicians who other beloved artists have sampled in bops.

Marvin Gaye

Starting with Mr. Marvin Gaye, we have to acknowledge how Kendrick Lamar sampled him on a track from his Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers album.

In Kendrick’s “The Heart Part 5,” he sampled the groovy beat from “I Want You,” which Marvin debuted in 1976.

The Chi-Lites

Early on in Beyoncé‘s solo career, she paid homage to The Chi-Lites in “Crazy In Love.”

This 2003 bop incorporates the beat from “Are You My Woman (Tell Me So),” introducing it to a whole new generation of listeners.

Stevie Wonder

Switchin’ over to Stevie Wonder, we must also acknowledge how “Love’s In Need of Love Today” was sampled by Jay-Z in “Smile.”

By incorporating this 1976 track in his project, Jay-Z paid homage to Stevie Wonder while gifting the world yet another musical masterpiece.

Aretha Franklin

For his collaboration with 21 Savage and Baby Tate, Atlanta rapper JID opted to sample Aretha Franklin.

Specifically, JID sampled “One Step Ahead” on “Surround Sound.”

Ray Charles

Next, we have a classic Kanye West song that samples “I Got a Woman” by Ray Charles: “Gold Digger.”

With the song being a Kanye fave, it looks like he was able to weave the sample into a work that’s uniquely his own.

Nina Simone

Ray Charles isn’t the only great Ye has sampled, as he’s also reaped inspiration from Nina Simone‘s “Strange Fruit.”

In “Blood On The Leaves,” Kanye incorporates lines from Nina Simone throughout the track.

Otis Redding

When Ye collaborated with Jay-Z for “Otis,” he sampled none other than Otis Redding.

Particularly, “Try A Little Tenderness” proved to be just right for the 2011 track.

Patti LaBelle

Segueing to Patti LaBelle‘s “Want You, Need You, Want You,” the track was sampled in Nelly and Kelly Rowland‘s beloved collab, “Dilemma.”

Patti’s bop is channeled in Kelly’s angelic chorus, and Ms. Rowland truly delivered!

DeBarge

Finally, Ashanti opted to sample “Stay With Me” by DeBarge on “Foolish” in 2002.

The track wasn’t only a smash hit for Ashanti but also brought the DeBarge beat into the 21st century!