So this year “Halloween [doesn’t fall] on a weekend,” but you can still bump the tracks in this week’s Sample Sunday when you and your people go out trick-or-treating on Monday (Who says there is an age limit when it comes to free candy anyway?).
Today’s sample comes from one bad mother — Shut yo mouth! — Isaac Hayes. Hayes is one of the greatest musicians to have ever blessed the world with his psychedelic brand of funk/soul/R&B, even if most people only know him for his contributions to “Shaft” and “South Park” (he was the voice of “Chef” until he had a falling out with Trey Parker and Matt Stone). Though, some of you may know him from his role in the hilarious “I’m Gonna Git You Sucka” (“How much for a rib?”…Anyone?)
For those of you new to Hayes, here is a little info:
Isaac Hayes was one of the most prominent artists for Stax Records in the late ’60s and early ’70s. He also co-wrote the Sam & Dave classic “Soul Man,” which has been honored by both the Grammy Hall of Fame and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in addition to churning out twenty studio albums in his long and funky career (Hot Buttered Soul and Black Moses should be in your collection after you finish checking out the post). Unfortunately, Hayes passed away due to a stroke just before his 66th birthday.
This Isaac Hayes sample (you will probably see many samples from him in future posts) comes from the soundtrack to the 1974 blaxploitation film Hayes starred in, Three Tough Guys.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_9aM4tlORM&w=420&h=315]
Isaac Hayes “Hung Up on My Baby”
“Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac,” you can still “boom it in your Jeep or your Honda or your Beemer or your Legend or your Benz” (Who got the jazz, people?) as you cruise down your favorite boulevard. There may not be a more smooth and relaxing driving song around. Even if you’re not driving, turn your speakers up and feel the soul wash away all your stress, if only for six minutes or so.
Now, without further solipsistic adieu, I bring you three gangsters from Houston, Texas who know how to Rap-a-Lot:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dghay5K3B4M&w=420&h=315]
The Geto Boys – “Mind Playing Tricks on Me”
(A song about paranoia, hallucination, living in the hood, and “robbing little kids for bags.”)
The Geto Boys, comprised of Scarface (one of the only M.C.s to ever have two five mic albums in The Source), Willie D, and Bushwick Bill, put Houston on the map with their psychotic, misogynist and downright sick trademark Southern and soulful gangsta rap. If you think Odd Future has a penchant for the macabre then check out the Geto Boys 1991 certified Platinum album We Can’t Be Stopped, which features “Mind Playing Tricks on Me.”
Here is a short list of other artists who have sampled “Hung Up on My Baby”:
Destiny’s Child ft Wyclef & Pras – “Illusion”
Geto Girlz – “My Man’s Playin Tricks on Me”
Ice Cube – “You Know How We Do It”
Lifer’s Group – “Jack U. Back (So You Wanna Be a Gangsta)”
Scarface – “Mind Playin’ Tricks on Me ’94″
Second II None – “If You Want It”
Bonus Sample:
Since it’s technically Halloween, this week’s bonus sample comes from The J.B.’s and P.E. a.k.a. Public Enemy – YEAH BOY!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-4VxEtWyRo&w=420&h=315]
The J.B.’s – “The Grunt”
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyR09SP9qdA&w=420&h=315]
Public Enemy – “Night Of The Living Baseheads”
And just because it’s that time of year to give out some extra treats, here is one more Halloween sample.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xejJXO_uTOI&w=420&h=315]
John Carpenter – “Halloween Theme – Main Title”
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0irSWU7VFxU&w=420&h=315]
Dr. Dre – “Murder Ink”
Have a freakin’ and a funky Halloween people.
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