5 Hip-Hop Records That Sampled Billy Joel
From Boogie Down Productions to Action Bronson, Billy Joel’s unexpected influence on East Coast hip-hop is a testament to the power of music to transcend boundaries.
In the bustling landscape of New York hip-hop, where street life meets the bumptious swagger of the East Coast sound, there exists an unexpected influence that shaped the genre’s sonic identity. Enter Billy Joel, the Piano Man himself. Despite his unlikely association with hip-hop, Joel’s melodies and storytelling prowess found their way into the beats and rhymes of East Coast artists, adding an extra layer of bravado to their music and reshaping the genre’s sonic landscape. Check out these five tracks that sampled Billy Joel’s sound, redefining East Coast swagger in the process.
De La Soul
“Plug Tunin'” (1992)
In the early days of East Coast hip-hop, Billy Joel’s influence reverberated through De La Soul‘s “Plug Tunin’” (as well as Kool G Rap & DJ Polo‘s “Road 2 Riches.”) Both tracks sampled the heavy piano riff from Joel’s “Stiletto,” infusing their music with a touch of Joel’s melodic charm.
Leading side B of 52nd Street, “Stiletto” was never released as a single, but still gained FM radio airplay in the New York area. Written as a jazzy take on an unknown femme fatale character, the piano riff from “Stiletto” fits perfectly on both hip-hop tracks.
Boogie Down Productions
“The Bridge Is Over” (1987)
Boogie Down Productions’ classic diss track, “The Bridge Is Over,” cleverly sampled Joel’s “It’s Still Rock and Roll To Me.” The incorporation of Joel’s “Ooooh” vocal sound and wordplay added a layer of wit and humor to the song, cementing its status as a hip-hop staple.
The original Joel version was written and recorded at A&R Recording in Midtown Manhattan in 1979, and addresses Joel’s criticisms on the music industry and press, who referred to his music as “adult contemporary.” Joel disagreed with the categorization, and argued that new styles of music evolved from existing styles of music. A few years later, BDP took that idea and ran.
Terror Squad and Cam’ron
“New York State of Mind” (2005)
“NY State of Mind” by Terror Squad and Cam’ron paid homage to Joel’s “New York State of Mind” by sampling its opening lyric: “Hop a flight to Miami Beach/Or to Hollywood/But I’m taking a Greyhound/On the Hudson River Line/I’m in a New York state of mind.” By weaving Joel’s storytelling into their verses, the artists vividly depicted the cityscape of NYC, showcasing the enduring influence of Joel’s music on East Coast hip-hop.
Action Bronson
“Brand New Car” (2015)
Action Bronson’s “Brand New Car” took a different approach by sampling the piano riff and opening line from Joel’s “Zanzibar.” This choice of sample added a layer of nostalgia and sophistication to Bronson’s lyrics, setting him apart from his contemporaries.
Originally recorded by Joel at A&R Recording in Midtown Manhattan in 1978, “Zanzibar” was written as a homage to a sports bar named the Zanzibar, and includes references to boxer Muhammad Ali, baseball player Pete Rose, and the New York Yankees.
Joe Budden
“Big Shot (G-Unit Diss)” (2004)
Joe Budden’s diss track, “Big Shot,” sampled Joel’s “Big Shot,” infusing the confrontational nature of the song with Joel’s signature sound, creating a powerful sonic backdrop for Budden’s lyrical assault against G-Unit members 50 Cent, Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks and The Game. Budden uses Joel’s theme of calling out big-mouthed bullies who lack the street cred necessary to garner the respect that they demand: “Or maybe it’s people believin’ all the hard raps/Or maybe it’s the tank top with the bra straps.”
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By All Means NecessaryBoogie Down Productions2024Hip Hop, Boom Bap, ConsciousVinyl, Album, Reissue, Remastered, 180g, Orange
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