Funky drummer

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The "funky drummer" break is one of the most used sampled drum loops in hip hop and drum and bass music, together with the Amen break, which is more related to drum-and-bass.

The original song from which the break is sampled is James Brown's song "Funky Drummer" (recorded November 20, 1969 in Cincinnati, Ohio). The drums on the original song are played by Clyde Stubblefield, who was the drummer for Brown's band at that time. Rapper and producer Edan's mix-tape "Sound of the Funky Drummer" features only tracks which use the "Funky Drummer" beat.

Rappers who sample James Brown have included references to him and even this song in their lyrics, two examples being LL Cool J in "Boomin' System" ("The girlies, they smile, they see me comin, I'm steady hummin, I got the Funky Drummer drummin") and Public Enemy in "Fight the Power" ("1989 the number, another summer, sound of the funky drummer.")


Track list

The following is an incomplete list of tracks that employ the funky drummer break.

External links

  • [1] Website of local Cincinnati Drummer Joe Jahnigen features the original recording, transcription, and his own version of the beat


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