10 Of The Most Sampled Black Songs In Music History
From iconic drum breaks to unforgettable vocals and basslines, these songs helped shape the sound of modern music as we know it. Here are 10 of the most sampled Black songs in music history.
Drum breaks, vocals, and basslines from Black artists have become foundational for music production.
Sampling has preserved the cultural influence of Black artists and their creative contributions.
Recognizable samples from songs like 'Amen, Brother' and 'Funky Drummer' have inspired countless artists.
Source: Matt Cardy / Getty
10 Of The Most Sampled Black Songs In Music History
Some songs don’t just become hits — they become part of music history forever.
Over the years, Black artists have created records so influential that generations of musicians continue sampling them across hip-hop, R&B, pop, dance, and even country music. From iconic drum breaks to unforgettable vocals and basslines, these songs helped shape the sound of modern music as we know it.
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Here are 10 of the most sampled Black songs in music history.
1. “Amen, Brother” – The Winstons
The six-second “Amen Break” from this song may be the most famous drum break ever created. It has been sampled thousands of times across hip-hop, electronic music, pop, and drum & bass records for decades.
2. “Funky Drummer” – James Brown
James Brown’s influence on sampling culture is almost impossible to measure. “Funky Drummer” became one of the foundational records for hip-hop production thanks to Clyde Stubblefield’s legendary drum pattern.
3. “Think (About It)” – Lyn Collins
This song gave the world one of the most recognizable sounds in music history: “Yeah! Woo!” That vocal break has appeared in countless songs, commercials, and DJ sets over the years.
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From hip-hop to R&B slow jams, “Outstanding” has been sampled and interpolated for generations. The smooth groove helped inspire countless songs that followed.
This song became a cultural anthem at cookouts, family reunions, weddings, and parties everywhere. Its influence stretches across generations and continues appearing in samples and remakes today.
The futuristic synths and talkbox sound from “Computer Love” helped shape the sound of West Coast hip-hop and modern R&B for decades.
7. “Footsteps in the Dark” – The Isley Brothers
Many fans instantly recognize this song from Ice Cube’s “It Was a Good Day,” but its smooth production and laid-back groove have inspired countless artists beyond that.
“Between the Sheets” became one of the most sampled R&B songs ever thanks to its smooth instrumentation and timeless vibe. Artists across multiple genres continue pulling inspiration from it today.
The groove behind “Juicy Fruit” became legendary after inspiring classics like The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy.” Even outside of hip-hop, the song remains one of the most recognizable samples in music.
10. “Love T.K.O.” – Teddy Pendergrass
Teddy Pendergrass created one of the smoothest soul records ever recorded with “Love T.K.O.” The song’s emotional vocals and production have continued inspiring artists for decades.
Sampling has always been one of music’s greatest forms of storytelling and cultural preservation.
And when you really look at the history of modern music, so much of it traces back to Black artists whose creativity helped shape entire genres and generations of sound.
Some of these songs are so influential that even people who’ve never heard the originals still recognize the samples.
What Black song do you think has been sampled the most?
