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Hairography Mix: 30 Songs to Celebrate Black History Month (Part 1)
Today we continue our ongoing celebration of Black History Month with a compilation of music tracks by black artists, who’s work had a major influence on the scope of American music. Music is such an interregnal aspect of African American history, it would be wrong not to acknowledge the many artists who’s talent helped to fuel this great equalizer, which possesses the power to pulsate through the veins, touch hearts, and unite everyone in jubilee. Rather than post the obvious series of songs celebrating black empowerment, I thought it more poignant to illustrate the strong influence African American musicians have had on music, by selecting songs that were later covered, adapted, or sampled by other artists. I paired the originals with these re-envisioned adaptations, so you can compare the two for yourself and really hear the origin of the later edition within the original song. It has been said that “imitation is the greatest form of flattery”, and the act of covering music originally performed by African American artists, further underscores the culture enhancing creative contributions black people have provided for America. Check out the tracks and enjoy!
1. Hound Dog. Originally by Big Mama Thorton
*source: youtube.com
Hound Dog. Covered by Elvis Presley
*source: youtube.com
2. Big Chief. Originally by Professor Longhair
*source: youtube.com
Sampled in Knock Em Out, by Lily Allen
*source: youtube.com
3. Try A Little Tenderness. Originally by Otis Redding
*source: youtube.com
Sampled in Otis by Jay Z and Kanye West feat. Otis Redding
*source: youtube.com
4. A Change Gonna Come. Originally performed by Sam Cooke
*source: youtube.com
Sampled in Fish, by Ghostface Killah feat Raekwon & Cappadonna
*source: youtube.com
5. Between the Sheets. Originally by the Isley Brothers
*source: youtube.com
Sampled in Big Poppa, by Notorious B.I.G.
*source: youtube.com
6. Hung Up on My Baby. Originally by Isaac Hayes
*source: youtube.com
Sampled in My Mind is Playing Tricks On Me, by Geto Boys
*source: youtube.com
7. It’s Too Late. Originally by Otis Redding
*source: youtube.com
Sampled in Gone, by Kanye West feat. Consequence & Cam’ron,
*source: youtube.com
8. I Got a Woman. Originally by Ray Charles
*source: youtube.com
I Got a Woman. Covered by Elvis Presley
*source: youtube.com
Sampled in Gold Digger, by Kanye West feat. Jamie Fox
*source: youtube.com
9. Georgia. Originally by Ray Charles
*source: youtube.com
Sampled in Georgia, by Fled Mob ft. Ludacris
*source: youtube.com
10. Baby Let’s Play House. Originally by Arthur Gunter
*source: youtube.com
Baby Lets Play House (I Wanna Play House With You). Covered by Buddy Holly with Bob Montgomery
*source: youtube.com
11. Ain’t That a Shame. Originally by Fats Domino
*source: youtube.com
Ain’t That a Shame. Covered by John Lennon
*source: youtube.com
12. Lady Marmalade. Originally performed by Patti LaBelle
*source: youtube.com
Lady Marmalade. Covered by Pink, Lil Kim, Christina Aguilera, Mya and produced by Missy Elliot
*source: youtube.com
13. I’m Every Woman. Originally performed by Chaka Khan
*source: youtube.com
I’m Every Woman. Covered by Whitney Houston
*source: youtube.com
14. Think. Originally by Aretha Franklin
*source: youtube.com
Sampled in Freedom, by George Michael
*source: youtube.com
15. I Will Survive. Originally by Gloria Gaynor
*source: youtube.com
I Will Survive. Covered by Cake
*source: youtube.com
16. Redemption Song. Originally by Bob Marley
*source: youtube.com
Redemption Song. Covered by Johnny Cash feat. Joe Strummer
*source: youtube.com
17. Mannish Boy. Originally by Muddy Waters
*source: youtube.com
Sampled in I’m a Woman, by Koko Taylor
*source: youtube.com
18. Tutti Frutti. Originally by Little Richard
*source: youtube.com
Tutti Frutti. Covered by Pat Boone
*source: youtube.com
19. Strange Fruit. Originally by Billie Holiday
*source: youtube.com
Sampled in Strange Fruit, by Pete Rock feat. Tragedy Khadafi, Cappadonna and Sticky Fingaz
*source: youtube.com
20. You Need Love. Originally by Muddy Waters
*source: youtube.com
Whole Lotta Love. Covered Led Zeppelin
*source: youtube.com
21. I’m Black and I’m Proud. Originally by James Brown
*source: youtube.com
Sampled in Fight the Power, by Public Enemy
*source: youtube.com
22. Good Golly Miss Molly. Originally by Little Richard
*source: youtube.com
Good Golly Miss Molly. Covered by The Sonics
*source: youtube.com
23. What’d I Say. Originally by Ray Charles
*source: youtube.com
What’d I Say. Covered by Jerry Lee Lewis
*source: youtube.com
What’d I Say. Covered by The Beatles ft. Tony Sheridan
*source: youtube.com
24. Love to Love You Baby. Originally by Donna Summer
*source: youtube.com
Sampled in Naughty Girl, by Beyoncé
*source: youtube.com
25. Sea of Love. Originally by Phil Phillips and the Twilights
*source: youtube.com
Sea of Love. Covered by Cat Power
*source: youtube.com
26. Are you My Woman? (Tell Me So). Originally by The Chi Lites
*source: youtube.com
Sampled in Crazy in Love, by Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z
*source: youtube.com
27. Too Young. Originally by Nat King Cole
*source: youtube.com
Too Young. Covered by Jerry Lee Lewis
*source: youtube.com
28. Higher Ground. Originally by Stevie Wonder
*source: youtube.com
Higher Ground. Covered by The Red Hot Chili Peppers
*source: youtube.com
29. You Really Got a Hold on Me. Originally by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.
*source: youtube.com
You Really Got a Hold on Me. Covered by the Beatles
*source: youtube.com
You Really Got a Hold on Me. Covered by She and Him
*source: youtube.com
30. I’m Coming Out. Originally by Diana Ross
*source: youtube.com
Sampled in Mo Money Mo Problems, by Notorious B.I.G. feat Puff Daddy, Mace, and Kelly Price
*source: youtube.com
I’m Coming Out. Covered by Keyshia Cole feat. Iggy Azelea
*source: youtube.com
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