Last time Funk music was mentioned on Sample Dat, it was mostly about the influence of Parliament-Funkadelic in Hip-Hop samples.

But back then, an other American funk band was trusting the firsts spots of the charts: The Ohio Players.

At the origins, in the early 60’s, they were known as the Ohio Untouchables. Many members came and went out, notably the former leader Robert Ward. He left before getting to know the success with the band. Two times the band separated and reformed after.

It took ten years, but by the beginning of the 70’s, the band was inevitable to the public due to their complete orchestra, their poetic lyrics and the uncommon high-pitched voice of the singer on some songs.

In the mid-70’s, they reached the highest peak of their carrier with three certified platinum albums in a row.

First major hit came in 1972 with Funky Worm, not very representative of their style of playing though.

The lingering synth riff was later sampled by the frozen lyricist Ice Cube, for one of his best track, Ghetto Bird appearing on the Menace II Society soundtrack.

Ohio Players – Funky Worm (sample appears at 0:54)

Ice Cube – Ghetto Bird

In 1972, the Ohio players did some thing incredible: release two albums in nine months. First is Pain and second is Pleasure. You got to suffer before hit an happy state. The four songs I picked were released on those albums.

Naughty By Nature went on seeking for a couple of groovy keyboard notes to accompany the sax riff (probably from their own composition because no trace of sample appears) in “Every Day All Day”. They found these on “Pride and Vanity”.

Present on their self-titled album in 1991, Every Day All Day steps aside to O.P.P, Wickedest Man Alive featuring Queen Latifah who revealed the formation from East Orange to Hip-Hop listeners.

“Uptown Anthem” also figures on the album re-edition, a track from the Juice’s soundtrack.

Treach would meet 2Pac on the movie shooting and befriending him. He now worships him like a God.

Ohio Players – Pride and Vanity (sample appears at 1:41)

Naughty By Nature – Every Day All Day

In 1989, Wild Pitch Records welcomes the signature of the later D.I.T.C leader Lord Finesse. He would record his first album the same year with his partner DJ Mike Smooth, Funky Technician.

Nowadays, the disc is considered as a Hip Hop classic. On Track The Movement, the duo, like Naughty By Nature, sampled four synth notes to go with the sax riff on the choruses.

Pay attention it’s going to be short.

Ohio Players – Never had a Dream (sample appears at 2:01)

Lord Finesse – Track the Movement

It was not due to random nickname distribution if GZA from the Wu-Tang Clan was known as the Genius.

But in 1995, he did something rare in Hip-Hop industry.

He let Killah Priest, a Wu-Tang affiliated member, the conclusion of his most critically acclaimed album Liquid Swords. And like a gift made to him, RZA who produced the whole albums gave 4th Disciple the care to produce the last track.

Once again, Killah Priest chose his name wisely as most of his lyrics concerns religious issues and political subjects. On “B.I.B.L.E (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth), the MC speaks properly of his relation to the Church, questioned the legitimity of it on certain topics and push forward the need to think by ourselves.

I did it anyway just to wake up the mind
Of those who kiss stones or prays on the carpet
Those who sit home or sell books by themarket
Need to chill and get their mind revived
For years religion did nothing but divide

Deep thoughts Killah Priest delivers on this one, based on a sample from the Ohio Players Our Love Has Died off the Pleasure album.

Ohio Players – Our Love Has Died (sample appears at 0:34)

Killah Priest – B.I.B.L.E