My Favourite Beats

I have long been an admirer of The Large's 'My Favourite Riddims' feature, so I have made an executive decision to muscle in on the enterprise.

Instead of stealing the idea and claiming it my own, I have slightly tweaked the parameters though..I will be reimagining the whole exercise by focusing on Hip Hop beats. It was totally my idea.

Anywhoo, the first beat I will be examining is based on a sample taken from the Kool and the Gang song 'Little Children' from 1976's 'Open Sesame'. The original is a heartfelt (although slightly saccharine) song about the wonder, beauty and innocence of kids etc. etc.

Ironic then that both songs that have sampled this concern various negative traits of their *ahem* female friends. AZ originally used the beat on his 1995 LP 'Doe Or Die' on the track 'Ho Happy Jackie' (produced by Buckwild), see if you can guess what the song is about.

The second (I'm doing things chronologically) act to use this sample is Madlib on his alter-ego Quasimoto's debut 'The Unseen' (2000) on the track 'Money Hungry Bitches'. Production wise, I think Madlib has made better use of the sample, but AZ kicks it lyrically. Shouldn't someone just release a refix of the two?

Also, I'm interested to discover if its just a coincidence that both of these tracks are on the same wavelength lyrically? Any views/comments/trivia? You know where to stick it.

AZ - Hoe Happy Jackie


Quasimoto - MHB's


Here is a link to listen to the Kool and the Gang version