Blues lost a legend this week.
With less than 24 hours until HBO premieres their Bessie “Empress of Blues” Smith biopic, the music industry is devastated to learn that one of the greatest blues musicians of all time, B.B. King, died at the fruitful age of 89 yesterday.
Over the course of his career, B.B. King released 50 albums, won 15 Grammys, and once performed an astonishing 342 one-night stands. But most importantly, B.B. King inspired artists from different genres and various generations.
From Christina Aguilera and Jimi Hendrix to Kendrick Lamar and Tina Turner, B.B. King’s music inspired some of the greatest artists to ever do it.
In honor of his legacy, we rounded up 9 hip-hop artists who’ve sampled B.B. King over the years. The most obvious record rappers love to sample is B.B.’s 1970s classic “Chains and Things,” but there were plenty of other soulful cuts that hip-hop producers like to flip.
Check them out below. Rest In Power, B.B.
Kendrick Lamar
Album: good kid, m.A.A.d city
Year: 2012
Song: “m.A.A.d city”
Sampled From: “Chains & Things”
Ice Cube
Album: Death Certificate
Year: 1991
Song: “A Bird In The Hand”
Sampled From: “Chains & Things”
Action Bronson
Album: Dr. Lecter
Year: 2011
Song: “Buddy Guy”
Sampled From: “Sweet Thing”
Sir Mix-A-Lot
Album: Swass
Year: 1987
Song: “Square Dance Rap”
Sampled From: “Rock Me Baby”
50 Cent
Album: ThisIs50 Volume 1: Return of the Body Snatchers mixtape
Year: 2008
Song: “The Mechanic”
Sampled From: “Chains & Things”
Big Daddy Kane
Album: Taste Of Chocolate
Year: 1990
Song: “Who Am I”
Sampled From: “Ain’t Nobody Home”
RZA
Album: Digital Bullet
Year: 2001
Song: “Can’t Lose”
Sampled From: “Chains & Things”
UGK
Album: Dirty Money
Year: 2001
Song: “Ain’t That A Bitch (Ask Yourself)”
Sampled From: “Chains & Things”
Kool G Rap
Album: Wanted: Dead Or Alive
Year: 1990
Song: “Jive Talk”
Sampled From: “You’re Losing Me”
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty
