Step 1: Making a Classic Record
Brothers Ronald, O'Kelly, Rudolph, and Vernon Isley formed the R&B singing group the Isley Brothers in the late 50's. Their music was a combination of funk, jazz, gospel, and soul and they quickly rose to fame with chart-topping hits like "Who's That Lady" and "It's Your Thing", which won a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance.
The group has since become R&B heavy-hitters, known for creating soft love ballads that have placed them on top of music charts throughout their career.
In 1983, the Isleys penned the song "Between the Sheets", a ballad about "love-making". The song was a top-ten hit.
The group has since become R&B heavy-hitters, known for creating soft love ballads that have placed them on top of music charts throughout their career.
In 1983, the Isleys penned the song "Between the Sheets", a ballad about "love-making". The song was a top-ten hit.
Step 2: Sampling
In 1994, rapper Notorious B.I.G., or Biggie Smalls, released the second single off his debut album, which was called "Big Poppa". The song went platinum and topped both the pop and R&B charts. The song also sampled the melody from The Isleys' "Between the Sheets".
Although both songs share the same melody, they leave two completely different impressions. The "new" song is more so a tale of Biggie enjoying life in nightclubs with women, fame, and money. "Big Poppa" kept the slow tempo that "Between the Sheets" had, but the lyrics were obviously different and the soft, heart warming love song was now an ode to a lavish, hip-hop lifestyle.
Although both songs share the same melody, they leave two completely different impressions. The "new" song is more so a tale of Biggie enjoying life in nightclubs with women, fame, and money. "Big Poppa" kept the slow tempo that "Between the Sheets" had, but the lyrics were obviously different and the soft, heart warming love song was now an ode to a lavish, hip-hop lifestyle.
Singer/songwriter Gwen Stefani would also go on to make a song that samples "Between the Sheets". "Luxurious" was released in 2005 off of Stefani's debut solo album. Although the tempo is much slower, "Luxurious" sort of sticks to the roots of the original because it is meant to be a love song where Stefani compares her relationship with wealth.
Perhaps Stefani chose to write her song to the melody of the Isleys to convey romance.
Perhaps Stefani chose to write her song to the melody of the Isleys to convey romance.
Step 3: Following the Trend
Other artists who have sampled "Between the Sheets" or other Isley Brothers songs include Drake, Jay-Z, Lupe Fiasco, and Common to name a few. Hip-hop artists especially have a history of sampling older music from a wide variety of rock, R&B, and soul musicians.
The following song was recorded by rapper Drake. It is a cover and remix of a song (of the same title) Jay-Z recorded for his "American Gangster" album.
