Since the beginning of the culture, hip hop has revolved around discovering rare records and sampling the dopest breakbeats.
When the legendary DJ Kool Herc invented the technique of isolating the breakbeats of two popular records, James Brown’s “Give It Up or Turnit a Loose” and The Incredible Bongo Band’s “Bongo Rock”, which he called the merry-go-round, hip hop DJing and production was born.
In this list, we’ll be taking a look at some of the most notable breakbeats used in hip hop over the decades. These breaks have been chosen for their impact, influence, and longevity in the genre. There’s no doubt that they have all played a significant role in shaping the sound of hip hop and continue to be used by producers and DJs today.
From the legendary “Impeach the President” by The Honey Drippers to the timeless “Funky Drummer” by James Brown, here are the 20 greatest drum breaks in hip hop history.
20. “Ode to Billie Joe” by Lou Donaldson
Album: Mr. Shing-A-Ling
Released: January 1968
Notable songs sampled in:
- “Jesus Walks” by Kanye West (2004)
- “L$D” by A$AP Rocky (2015)
- “Clap Your Hands” by A Tribe Called Quest (1993)
- “Bad Guy” by Eminem (2013)
- “To Zion” by Lauryn Hill (1998)
- “You Can’t Stop the Prophet” by Jeru the Damaja (1994)
- “5 AM in Toronto” by Drake (2013)
19. “You’re Getting A Little Too Smart” by Detroit Emeralds
Album: I’m in Love with You
Released: May 1973
Notable songs sampled in:
- Raekwon – “Incarcerated Scarfaces” (1995)
- Ras Kass – “Sonset” (1996)
- 2Pac – “Heartz of Men” (1996)
- Common – “The Light” (2000)
- “You Ain’t Gotta Lie (Momma Said)” by Kendrick Lamar (2015)
- “8 Out of 10” by Drake (2018)
- “Hip 2 Da Game” by Lord Finesse (1995)
- “The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World” by Keith Murray (1994)
- “Carmel City” by Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth (1994)
18. “UFO” by ESG
Album: ESG (EP)
Released: 1981
Notable songs sampled in:
- “Party and Bullshit” by The Notorious B.I.G. (1993)
- “Ain’t No Half-Steppin'” by Big Daddy Kane (1988)
- “Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.” by 2Pac (1993)
- “Who I Am” by Pusha T feat. 2 Chainz & Big Sean (2013)
- “Geek Down” by J Dilla (2006)
- “Yessir!” by MF DOOM feat. Raekwon (2009)
- “Let’s Ride” by Q-Tip (1999)
- “Night of the Living Baseheads” by Public Enemy (1988)
- “Fuck Compton” by Tim Dog (1991)
17. “Spinning Wheel” by Lonnie Smith
Album: Drives
Released: 1970
Notable songs sampled in:
- “Can I Kick It?” by A Tribe Called Quest (1990)
- “Wu-Tang: 7th Chamber” by Wu-Tang Clan (1993)
- “Enta Da Stage” by Black Moon (1993)
- “Give the Drummer Some” by Ultramagnetic MC’s (1988)
- “Pump Pump” by Snoop Dogg feat. Mr. Malik (1993)
- “Hostile” by Erick Sermon feat. Keith Murray (1993)
- “Come on Everybody” by Run-DMC (1993)
16. “Why Can’t People Be Colors Too?” by The Whatnauts
Album: Whatnauts on the Rocks
Released: 1972
Notable songs sampled in:
- “Oh My God” by A Tribe Called Quest feat. Busta Rhymes (1993)
- “Bucktown” by Smif-N-Wessun (1995)
- “It Ain’t Hard to Tell (Remix)” by Nas (1994)
- “Hardcore Rap Act” by Das EFX (1995)
- “Maintaining” by Common (1994)
- “No Airplay” by LL Cool J (1995)
- “Stomp Da Roach” by U-God feat. GZA & Scotty Wotty (2009)
- “Good Times” by Ghostface Killah feat. Raekwon & Superb (2007)
15. “I’m Glad You’re Mine” by Al Green
Album: I’m Still in Love with You
Released: October 23, 1972
Notable songs sampled in:
- “Dead Wrong” by The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Eminem (1999)
- “Mahogany” by Eric B. & Rakim (1990)
- “What’s Beef?” by The Notorious B.I.G. (1997)
- “I Got a Story to Tell” by The Notorious B.I.G. (1997)
- “Paper Thin” by MC Lyte (1988)
- “Compton” by Guerilla Black feat. Beenie Man (2004)
- “#1 Stunna” by Big Tymers, Lil Wayne, Juvenile & Lac (2000)
- “U Wanna Be Me” by Nas (2002)
- “Living This Life” by UGK (2007)
14. “Ashley’s Roachclip” by The Soul Searchers
Album: Salt of the Earth
Released: 1974
Notable songs sampled in:
- “Paid in Full” by Eric B. & Rakim (1987)
- “Hey Young World” by Slick Rick (1988)
- “Run’s House” by Run-DMC (1988)
- “Jack the Ripper” by LL Cool J (1987)
- “Jackin’ for Beats” by Ice Cube (1990)
- “Tree of Life” by Ab-Soul (2014)
- “Strugglin'” by 2Pac feat. Live Squad (1993)
- “True to the Game” by Ice Cube (1991)
- “Growin’ Up in the Hood (Big O.G. Hood Funky Beat Remix)” by Compton’s Most Wanted (1991)
- “Down the Line” by Nice & Smooth, Asu and Bass Blaster feat. Melo T, Preacher Earl & Gang Starr (1991)
- “Breakdown” by T La Rock (1985)
13. “The Big Beat” by Billy Squier
Album: The Tale of the Tape
Released: 1980
Notable songs sampled in:
- “99 Problems” by Jay-Z (2003)
- “Out of This World” by A$AP Rocky (2011)
- “Looking for Trouble” by Kanye West feat. Pusha T, Big Sean, Cyhi the Prynce & J. Cole (2010)
- “We Can Get Down” by A Tribe Called Quest (1993)
- “Real Niggaz Don’t Die” by N.W.A (1991)
- “Let It All Hang Out” by A.D.O.R. (1992)
- “Wickedest Man Alive” by Naughty by Nature feat. Queen Latifah (1991)
- “Born and Raised in Compton” by DJ Quik (1991)
- “Jam Master Jammin'” by Run-DMC (1985)
- “It’s Going Down” by EPMD (1992)
- “The Magnificent Jazzy Jeff” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (1987)
- “Life in the Fast Lane” by Geto Boys (1990)
12. “It’s a New Day” by Skull Snaps
Album: Skull Snaps
Released: 1973
Notable songs sampled in:
- “Passin’ Me By” by The Pharcyde (1992)
- “Give Up the Goods (Just Step)” by Mobb Deep feat. Big Noyd (1995)
- “Put It On” by Big L feat. Kid Capri (1994)
- “Take It Personal” by Gang Starr (1992)
- “Who Got Da Props” by Black Moon (1993)
- “Funky Child” by Lords of the Underground (1993)
- “Hippa to Da Hoppa” by Ol’ Dirty Bastard (1995)
- “Mommy, What’s a Gravedigga?” by Gravediggaz (1994)
- “Step Back” by Eric B. & Rakim (1990)
- “Da Mad Face Invasion” by Onyx (1993)
- “Watch Yo Nuggets” by Redman feat. Erick Sermon (1992)
- “It’s a New Day” by Heavy D & the Boyz (1992)
11. “When the Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin
Album: Led Zeppelin IV
Released: November 8, 1971
Notable songs sampled in:
- “Kim” by Eminem (2000)
- “Rhymin & Stealin” by Beastie Boys (1986)
- “Lyrical Gangbang” by Dr. Dre feat. The Lady of Rage, Kurupt and RBX (1992)
- “Gangsta Boy” by Jake One feat. M.O.P. (2008)
- “B-Boy Bouillabaisse” by Beastie Boys (1989)
- “Midnight” by Ice-T (1991)
- “Dollar and a Dream III” by J. Cole (2011)
- “Survival of the Fittest” by MC Lyte (1988)
- “King Kong” by BJ the Chicago Kid (2012)
10. “Nautilus” by Bob James
Album: One
Released: 1974
Notable songs sampled in:
- “Children’s Story” by Slick Rick (1988)
- “Daytona 500” by Ghostface Killah feat. Raekwon & Cappadonna (1996)
- “Follow the Leader” by Eric B. & Rakim (1988)
- “Live at the Barbeque” by Main Source feat. Nas, Joe Fatal & Akinyele (1991)
- “Clap Your Hands” by A Tribe Called Quest (1993)
- “Extradite” by Freddie Gibbs feat. Black Thought (2015)
- “My Mind Spray” by Jeru the Damaja (1994)
- “Throw Ya Gunz” by Onyx (1992)
- “Take It Back” by Wu-Tang Clan (2007)
- “Let ‘Em Have It L” by Big L (1995)
- “Sun Won’t Come Out” by Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth (1994)
- “Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em” by Eric B. & Rakim (1990)
- “Brothers on My Jock” by EPMD feat. Redman (1991)
- “Jazzy’s Groove” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (1989)
9. “Hihache” by Lafayette Afro Rock Band
Album: Soul Makossa
Released: 1973
Notable songs sampled in:
- “Nobody Beats the Biz” by Biz Markie feat. T.J. Swan (1987)
- “Jingling Baby” by LL Cool J (1989)Buck Em Down” by Black Moon (1993)
- “Check the Rhime” by A Tribe Called Quest (1991)
- “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright (Ghetto Bastard)” by Naughty by Nature (1991)
- “Never” by JID (2017)
- “Who’s the Mack?” by Ice Cube (1990)
- “The Devil Made Me Do It” by Paris (1989)
- “No Delayin'” by Nice & Smooth (1989)
- “Cowboys” by Fugees feat. Outsidaz & John Forté (1996)
- “The Big East” by Masta Ace Incorporated (1993)
- “Powaful Impak!” by Black Moon (1993)
8. “Get Out of My Life, Woman” by Lee Dorsey
Album: N/A
Released: December 1965
Notable songs sampled in:
- “Just a Friend” by Biz Markie (1989)
- “Hits From the Bong” by Cypress Hill (1993)
- “Flow Joe” by Fat Joe (1993)
- “U Da Man” by Black Moon feat. Dru Ha, Havoc & Smif-N-Wessun (1993)
- “Maria” by Wu-Tang Clan feat. Cappadonna (1997)
- “Fanatic of the B-Word” by De La Soul (1991)
- “Brother Brother” by Big Daddy Kane (1991)
- “Retaliation” by Jedi Mind Tricks (2000)
- “Orange Soda” by Vic Mensa (2013)
- “Return of the Funky Man” by Lord Finesse (1991)
- “Straight Loonie” by Keith Murray, Erick Sermon & Jamal (1994)
7. “Papa Was Too” by Joe Tex
Album: I’ve Got To Do A Little Bit Better
Released: 1966
Notable songs sampled in:
- “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F’ Wit” by Wu-Tang Clan (1993)
- “Real Hip Hop” by Das EFX (1995)Give It Up” by Jay Dee (2001)
- “Playaz Club” by Rappin’ 4-Tay (1994)
- “Meth vs. Chef” by Method Man feat. Raekwon (1994)
- “Head Banger” by EPMD feat. K-Solo and Redman (1992)
- “Manifest” by Gang Starr (1989)
- “So(ul) Amazin’ (Steel Blazin’)” by Blu and Exile (2007)
- “”P” Is Still Free” by KRS-One (1993)
- “You Song” by Lil Wayne feat. Chance the Rapper (2013)
- “We Come Strapped” by MC Eiht feat. Compton’s Most Wanted (1994)
6. “Take Me to the Mardi Gras” by Bob James
Album: Two
Released: May 29, 1975
Notable songs sampled in:
- “Peter Piper” by Run-DMC (1986)
- “The Moment I Feared” by Slick Rick (1988)
- “Straight Outta Compton” by N.W.A (1988)
- “Max B” by A$AP Rocky feat. Joe Fox (2015)
- “Hold It Now, Hit It” by Beastie Boys (1986)
- “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss” by P.M. Dawn (1991)
- “Flowers” by Ghostface Killah feat. Raekwon, Method Man and Superb (2001)
- “Nuttin’ but Love” by Heavy D & the Boyz (1994)
- “It’s Time to Get Hype” by Rich Nice (1990)
- “Nasty” by Nas (2011)
- “AJ Scratch” by Kurtis Blow (1984)
- “Let the Ho’s Go” by Naughty by Nature (1991)
- “Death Wish” by Kool G Rap & DJ Polo (1990)
- “Sun Won’t Come Out” by Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth (1994)
5. “Amen, Brother” by The Winstons
Album: N/A
Released: 1969
Notable songs sampled in:
- “Straight Outta Compton” by N.W.A (1988)
- “Informer” by Snow (1992)
- “I Desire” by Salt-N-Pepa (1986)
- “Streets on Fire” by Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos (2007)
- “Red Eye” by Big K.R.I.T. (2012)
- “Compton” by The Game feat. will.i.am (2006)
- “Feel Alright Y’all” by 2 Live Crew (1988)
- “Casualties of War” by Eric B. & Rakim (1992)
- “Dope Not Hype” by Nice & Smooth (1989)
- “Watch Me Now” by Ultramagnetic MC’s (1988)
4. “Synthetic Substitution” by Melvin Bliss
Album: N/A
Released: 1973
Notable songs sampled in:
- “Mighty Healthy” by Ghostface Killah (2000)
- “Bring Da Ruckus” by Wu-Tang Clan (1993)
- “New God Flow” by Pusha T and Kanye West (2012)
- “O.P.P.” by Naughty by Nature (1991)
- “Ego Trippin'” by Ultramagnetic MC’s (1986)
- “Don’t Believe the Hype” by Public Enemy (1988)
- “DWYCK” by Gang Starr feat. Nice & Smooth (1992)
- “Clan in Da Front” by Wu-Tang Clan (1993)
- “All I Need” by Method Man” feat. Streetlife (1994)
- “Potholes in My Lawn” by De La Soul (1989)
- “Animal Instinct” by Mobb Deep feat. Big Twins & Ty Nitty (1996)
- “Ya Mama” by The Pharcyde (1992)
- “So Called Friends” by Group Home feat. Guru (1995)
- “O.G. Original Gangster” by Ice-T (1991)
3. “Apache” by Incredible Bongo Band
Album: Bongo Rock
Released: June 1973
Notable songs sampled in:
- “Made You Look” by Nas (2003)
- “That’s My Bitch” by Jay-Z and Kanye West (2011)
- “The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel” by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five (1981)
- “Thought @ Work” by The Roots (2002)
- “You Can’t Dance” by LL Cool J (1985)
- “Men at Work” by Kool G Rap & DJ Polo (1989)
- “Way Way Back” by Kool Moe Dee (1987)
- “Who Are the Pimps?” by Boogie Down Productions (1992)
- “Assassins” by Geto Boys (1990)
2. “Funky Drummer” by James Brown
Album: In the Jungle Groove
Released: March 1970
Notable songs sampled in:
- “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy (1989)
- “Fuck Tha Police” by N.W.A (1988)
- “Mama Said Knock You Out” by LL Cool J (1990)
- “Mathematics” by Mos Def (1999)
- “Let Me Ride” by Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg, Jewell & RC (1992)
- “Rebel Without a Pause” by Public Enemy (1987)
- “South Bronx” by Boogie Down Productions (1987)
- “Lyrics of Fury” by Eric B. & Rakim (1988)
- “Rather Unique” by AZ (1995)
- “Jackin’ for Beats” by Ice Cube (1990)
- “It’s a Demo” by Kool G Rap & DJ Polo (1986)
- “Mortal Combat” by Big Daddy Kane (1989)
- “The Magnificent Jazzy Jeff” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (1987)
1. “Impeach the President” by The Honey Drippers
Album: N/A
Released: June 1, 1973
Notable songs sampled in:
- “Unbelievable” by The Notorious B.I.G. (1994)
- “The Bridge” by MC Shan (1986)
- “Top Billin'” by Audio Two (1987)
- “The Message” by Nas (1996)
- “I Get Around” by 2Pac feat. Shock G & Money-B (1993)
- “Jump” by Kris Kross (1992)
- “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” by Digable Planets (1992)
- “The Bridge Is Over” by Boogie Down Productions (1987)
- “Gangsta Gangsta” by N.W.A (1988)
- “Eazy-Duz-It” by Eazy-E (1988)
- “Smooth Operator” by Big Daddy Kane (1989)
