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For the first in a series of posts related to classic hip-hop breaks and drum samples, I chose a rather overlooked break: 'Soul Makossa' by Manu Dibango. I've been on a heavy afrobeat kick in the past few weeks and this one is very recognizable, even among average music fans. There are numerous covers, from the funk heat of Afrique to the Arthur Baker produced electro b-boy cover by Nairobi and the Awesome Foursome. One of the best covers of 'Soul Makossa' is by Lafayette Afro Rock Band from their album titled 'Soul Makossa'. Lafayette Afro Rock Band will definitely show up later in my coverage of classic breaks, 'Hihache' is one of the most widely used drum beats in hip-hop and 'Darkest Light' has one of the most widely used saxophone samples.
One artist to sample directly from Manu Dibango's original is Jermaine Dupri on 'Money Ain't a Thang' with Jay-Z; check out the opening drum break of the original and 'Money' side-by-side. Far and away, the most recognized interpolation of the refrain of 'Soul Makossa' is the end chant from 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' by Michael Jackson, produced by Quincy Jones. Transitions between 'Soul Makossa' and the end of 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'' (or vice versa) are unstoppable floor killers.
The Lowdown:
Manu Dibango 'Soul Makossa'
from 'Soul Makossa'(1972) (MP3 unavailable/CD)
Lafayette Afro Rock Band 'Soul Makossa'
from 'Soul Makossa' (1973) (MP3/CD unavailable)
Jay-Z and Jermaine Dupri 'Money Ain't a Thang'
from 'Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life' (1998) (MP3/CD)
Michael Jackson 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'
from 'Thriller' (1982) (MP3/CD)
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