This week features Aretha Franklin. With a voice that earned her the title "The Queen of Soul", Aretha, in my opinion, is a frequently sampled artist that people often overlook. This song, "Daydreaming" was sampled by Cam'ron for his song by the same title "Daydreamin'".

As with all artists that I'll feature this month, I encourage you to check out more of their music other than the songs that have been sampled.

Yeah, I know I skipped a week! If you got a problem with that, go here: http://verbalcryogenics.podomatic.com/entry/2006-11-08T19_46_27-08_00

Anyway......this week features Quincy Jones. Quincy Jones is one of the most influential musicians of all time. He was behind the best selling album of all time, Michael Jackson's "Thriller", so that alone solidifies his spot to me as one of the greatests of all time! This song, "Summer In The City" was sampled by The Pharcyde on "Passin Me By".

As with all artists that I'll feature this month, I encourage you to check out more of their music other than the songs that have been sampled.

Celebrating BLACK HISTORY MONTH, I've chosen to feature songs by some of my favorite BLACK artists. The music will speak for itself.

This week features Curtis Mayfield. A very heavily sampled artist, Curtis Mayfield created a sound that helped define a generation of soul. This song, "Move On Up" was sampled by Kanye West for "Touch The Sky".

As with all artists that I'll feature this month, I encourage you to check out more of their music other than the songs that have been sampled.

Surprise Surprise! I bet y'all thought it was over! Never that. For the final installment of Grammy Month, I humbly present the sample for Danny's "Charm". Produced by Danny!, "Charm" contains a sample of Michael Jackson's "Everybody's Somebody's Fool".

Now, I know you're saying to yourself, "I don't remember nobody named Danny! being nominated for no Grammy"! Well see, that's where you're wrong............kinda. See, out of all of the thousands of albmus sumbited to NARAS (The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc.) for Grammy considerations, Danny! made the short list (about 20 to 50 eligible artists/songwriters per category) for several categories, including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Rap Album, Best Rap Solo Performance, Best Rap Song, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, and Best Urban/Alternative Performance. Unfortunately, once the members of NARAS voted on the top 5 for each category, Danny! didn't make the cut. Nevertheless, he's still dope! Plus he's still going to the Grammy's!

Describing himself as "A Tribe Called Quest on acid, or EPMD on LSD", Danny! is one of the reasons why I haven't given up on South Carolina Hip Hop. (You'll meet the other reason next month) I guess I'm biased because I'm not really into the crunk/snap type music mostly coming out of the south, but from the first time I heard "Strange Fruit" I was hooked. I hate to say it but he really reminds me of Kanye (in a good way). The reason why I say "hate" is because everytime someone hears somthing new, they're quick to put it in a box. But, the soul samples, lyrical delivery (without making up words like Kanye), and overall sound definitely makes Kanye pop to mind.

Back to the sample, check for "Charm" on Danny's 3rd album aptly titled "Charm". It's one of the best songs on a dope album that you should check out.

Check for Danny! online at:

http://www.dannyswain.com/
http://www.myspace.com/mcdanny

1nce again it's on! Week 4! This week we turn an ear to The Roots' "Game Theory". Produced by The Roots and Khari Mateen of Nouveau RIche, "Game Theory" uses the sample "Life of Fortune & Fame" by Sly and the Family Stone.

"Game Theory" is one of the hottest songs on this album. The way ?uestlove is ripping the drums on this track is banannas! This is one of those songs where you can't help but nod your head. I must admit though, I'm a sucker for horns. When the horns come in on this joint I just get amped. As usual, The Roots sample a song that isn't obvious and make it hot. Slightly chopped, mostly looped, The Roots turned out another banger! One of the best songs on an album that should win Best Rap Album at this years Grammys. (Sorry Lupe, you're a close second)

Right back at 'cha for week 3. This week we take a look at Lupe Fiasco's "Kick, Push". Produced by Soundtrakk, this song uses the sample "Bolero Medley" by Celeste Legaspi.

A dope song on an even more dope album, Lupe brings a lyricisim and creativity that is rare in much of todays hip hop. To be able to make a hip hop song about skateboarding popular, you need a beat to bring the song to the forefront and this song delivers. Not to discount Lupe's lyrics, but this beat is a banger.......even if it is just a loop!

Round 2 people. This week we visit Ludacris' "War With God". Produced by Andre Harris & Vidal Davis, this song uses the sample "War of the Gods" by Billy Paul.

Ludacris rips this track. Unfortuantely, this is one of the best tracks on this album.

I always say that the best samples are the ones that you can enjoy as much as the song that was made from the sample. This is one of those songs. The sample is pretty obscure, at least to me. Billy Paul's probably best known for his song "Me & Mrs. Jones". He's not really a frequently sampled artist, but this sample was put to excellent use.

Each week this month I will feature a sample used on an album that has been nominated for rap album of the year (except Pharrell's album, he used no samples).

I'll start the month off with T.I.'s "Why You Wanna". Produced by Kevin "Khao" Cates, this song uses the not so rare sample "Gypsy Woman" by Crystal Waters.

Like a lot of samples on T.I.'s albums, this is pretty much a straight loop. It gets the job done, but nothing too spectacular. The interpolation used in "What You Know" was a little more impressive. I'll let y'all continue to try to figure that one out if you don't already know.

James Brown succumbed to pneumonia on December 25, 2006 in Atlanta. He was 73.

In a career spanning over six decades, the iconic singer helped shape and define R&B, soul, funk, disco and rap. James Brown’s contributions lied within his rhythmic innovations. He single handedly helped shape the sound of eary hip hop, becoming likely the most sampled artist of all time.

In rememberance of James Brown, I present to you one of his most sampled songs, "Funky Drummer".

This sample thing is like childs play to me! I know my "digital crates" aren't as deep as others, but I must admit/brag, I got a lot of stuff!

For your listening pleasure today I present, Keith Mansfield's "Mono Ski". This was used on Gnarls Barkley's "St. Elsewhere" album for the song "Who Cares?". If you don't already have this album, you need to check it out. DangerMouse does his thing again with this album. Remember when I talked in the last post about deep crates? Well DangerMouse's crates are crazy deep.

And I could go on, & on, & on................but who cares?