From Hitsville to Hip Hop: Ten Rap Classics That Helped Keep Motown Relevant

10. MC Hammer, “U Can’t Touch This” (1989)

Original: Rick James, “Superfreak” (1980)

It’s rare that a sample becomes so ubiquitous that it’s as recognizable
as the original. But that’s exactly what happened when the happy-footed
rapper from Oakland borrowed James’ distinctive bass-line. They’ve both
become two of the most unintentionally-hilarious songs in popular
music.

9. Little Brother, “Sirens” (2007)

Original: Rare Earth, “(I Just Want to) Celebrate” (1971)

While “Sirens” wasn’t a huge hit, the song became one of the standout
tracks on North Carolina duo Little Brother’s third (final?) album Getback.
And even though Rare Earth may not be a household name to folks born
after 1965, the funk/rock band was popular in the early 70s—and one of
the first white acts signed to Motown.

8. Mr. Cheeks, “Lights, Camera, Action!” (2002)

Original: Eddie Kendricks, “Keep On Truckin’” (1973)

Producer Bink! dug deep for this sample for Mr. Cheeks’ party-starting
anthem. Not that former Temptation Eddie Kendricks’ signature solo hit
was hard to find, but the sample is gleaned 2:20 into the song! Score
some points for having the ear (and patience) to single it out.  

7. Geto Boys, “Six Feet Deep” (1993)

Original: The Commodores, “Easy” (1977)

While most non-hip-hop fans only remember the Boys for their 1991
classic “Mind’s Playing Tricks On Me,” the trio (sans
Willie D. but with new member Big Mike) scored a notable hit a couple
of years later with this melancholy tribute to friends lost to
senseless violence. Lionel Richie never sounded so ‘gangsta.’

6. Ghostface Killah, “All That I Got Is You” (1996)

Original: The Jackson 5, “Maybe Tomorrow” (1971)

Ghostface was always the more outlandishly wordy member of the infamous
Wu-Tang Clan. But on his second single from his debut solo album Ironman,
Tony Starks went straight for the heartstrings, with a little assist
from Mary J. Blige—who you’ll be hearing more from soon. He took one of
J5’s most underrated ballads and crafted it into the best hip-hop ode
to mother since “Mama Said Knock You Out.”

5. Naughty By Nature, “O.P.P.” (1991)

Original: The Jackson 5, “ABC” (1970)

Sure, it’s been sampled extensively–by
everyone from Jay-Z to Girl Talk—but the biggest was the Jersey
natives’ 1991 party anthem. Taking an innocent song about teenage love
and turning it into one of the dirtiest double-entendres–maybe even a triple
entendre–of all time is no small feat; but the song retains its
catchiness thanks to Treach’s slick rhymes and Kay Gee’s production.

4. Notorious B.I.G., “One More Chance” remix (1995)

Original: DeBarge, “Stay With Me” (1983)

It’s one of the most overused samples in all of hip-hop, but the
distinctive keyboard line in DeBarge’s quiet storm classic is sooo
unbelievably hooky, it works in almost any musical setting. Biggie
turned it into the hit remix for his song “One More Chance,” which is
only fitting, considering the fact that, these days, the DeBarge
family’s rap sheet looks very similar to the late, great Frank White’s.

3. Coolio, “Gangsta’s Paradise” (1995)

Original: Stevie Wonder, “Pastime Paradise” (1976)

With a shrewd re-imagining of an album track from Stevie Wonder’s masterpiece Songs In the Key of Life, Coolio went from pop/rap novelty to Grammy® award winning…artist?
Well, he did win the Grammy. And he was lucky enough to receive the
“Weird” Al stamp of approval, who parodied his hit with 1996s goofy
“Amish Paradise.”

2. Eric B. & Rakim, “Paid In Full”/2Pac “Hit ‘Em Up” (1987/1996)

Original: Dennis Edwards, “Don’t Look Any Further” (1984)

Dennis Edwards (another former lead singer of the Temptations) and
Siedah Garrett teamed up for this smoky duet. Containing one of the
most distinctive bass-lines of all time, the song was sampled by
hip-hop legends Eric B. & Rakim for their classic single “Paid In
Full;” and nine years later, another legend, the late 2Pac, sampled it
for his infamously scathing dis track “Hit ‘Em Up.”

1.Method Man w/Mary J. Blige, “You’re All I Need/I’ll Be There For You” (1994)

Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, “You’re All I Need to Get By” (1968)

Never has there been a more perfect pairing of sweet 60s soul and edgy
90s grit. Method Man and the ‘Queen of Hip Hop Soul’ didn’t cover Gaye
& Terrell’s classic inasmuch as they reinterpreted it for a new
generation. It bridged the generational gap better than any
soul-sampling rap record previously. While the language may have turned
off some baby-boomers, few could deny that this was the most honest and
heartfelt ode to the sentiment behind so many classic Motown songs:
love.