ain’t it funky

Clyde Stubblefield

Released in 1969 James Brown's "Funky Drummer" is the world's most sampled record, in particular its drum break. The man responsible for the eight-bar "solo" is Clyde Stubblefield.
With the birth of Hip Hop we saw the use of vinyl go from backing music for rappers to being used as an instrument and in particular electronic music. However the use of James Brown recordings and in particular the Funky Drummer gave Hip Hop some real roots a cultural touchstone and a funkier sound. The Funky Drummer break is simple yet hypnotic and has been used on so many recordings that it’s impossible to count.

Whatever ones views on the idea of sampling music, in execution it was and is integral to the birth and growth of a genre. Hip Hop has as much quality and dross as any other musical form and it's overwhelming popularity is significant.

In a close second place in the sampled hall of fame is Think (About It) a song recorded by Lyn Collins and released as a single on James Brown's People Records in 1972. This also features Stubblefield. The break is shorter but sampled frequently.
While recording and performing with James Brown, Clyde joined John "Jab'o" Starks and they became known as the funkiest men alive He and Jab'o are the most sampled musicians in the world

As James Brown declaims; “give the drummer some."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G9UV3kNoIQ
Funky Drummer –bonus beats

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jiqxkdhzi_M
Think-at 1:25 & 2.25