Rewind: Above the Law 'Livin' Like Hustlers' (Part 1)

One of Dr. Dre's best post-'Straight Outta Compton' / pre-'The Chronic' production works is the debut album by future Death Row labelmates Above the Law. 1990's 'Livin' Like Hustlers' is the lone album produced by Dre; despite their link to Death Row, Dr. Dre would not return to the boards for their future albums. This two post arc will cover the samples used in one of the West Coast's most overlooked albums.

'Untouchable' is underpinned by the familiar James Brown 'Funky Drummer' break, but also uses samples from Young Holt Unlimited's cover of 'Light My Fire' by the Doors and Quincy Jones' 'Ironside' (most known for its recent use in 'Kill Bill'). The title track to 'Livin' like Hustlers' also samples further from Quincy Jones' 'Smackwater Jack' album, knicking bits of 'Hikky Burr'. It also features another JB sample, the track 'Hot (I Need to Be Loved Loved Loved Loved)' from his 1976 album 'Hot!'.

Above the Law's 'Menace to Society' goes to town with its use of B.T. Express samples, sourcing no less than three tracks from the Express' 1974 hit LP 'Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)'. Dre uses 'This House is Smokin'', 'Once You Get It', and 'Do You Like It' for the backing of 'Menace'.

Check back for part 2 of our look at 'Livin' Like Hustlers'.

The Lowdown:
Above the Law 'Untouchable', 'Livin' Like Hustlers', and 'Menace to Society'
from 'Livin' Like Hustlers' (1989) (MP3/CD)
James Brown 'Funky Drummer'
Young Holt Unlimited 'Light My Fire'
from 'Just a Melody' (1969) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Quincy Jones 'Ironside' and 'Hikky Burr'
from 'Smackwater Jack' (1970) (MP3/Import CD)
James Brown 'Hot (I Need to Be Loved Loved Loved Loved)'
from 'Hot!' (1976) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
B.T. Express 'This House is Smokin'', 'Once You Get It', and 'Do You Like It'
from 'Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)' (1974) (MP3/CD)