To put it funky, hip hop would be a lot more square without samples from the Land of Funk thanks to the Ohio Players, Steve Arrington's Hall of Fame, Zapp, Faze-O, Heatwave, Sun, Slave and Lakeside.
Credit: Richard Graulich
Credit: Richard Graulich
In the 1970s and 1980s, southwestern Ohio -- particularly Dayton’s west side -- was known for its stable of funk bands whose influence can be heard in hip-hop, house and other musical forms popular today through sampling, covers and remixes.
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The Ohio Players -- the granddaddies of 'em all -- have seen their songs sampled or remade by Snoop Dogg, Puff Daddy, and Salt-N-Pepa, as well as as list of rockers that include Soundgarden and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Here are just ten hip hop songs (there are literally hundreds of them) and the Dayton funk songs they sampled, according the database WhoSampled.com.
Please be aware that some songs contain explicit lyrics.
1) and 2) FAZE-O'S "Riding High"
3) OHIO PLAYERS’ “Ecstasy”
4) OHIO PLAYERS’ “Funky Worm”
5) ROGER TROUTMAN/ZAPP'S "Dance Floor"
The song below also used “West Coast Poplock” written by Larry and Roger Troutman.
6) ZAPP’S “Computer Love”
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7) HEATWAVE’S “Ain’t No Half Steppin”
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8) HEATWAVE’S “Boogie Nights”
9) OHIO PLAYERS’ “Love Rollercoaster”
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10) LAKESIDE’S “Fantastic Voyage”
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