A History of Otis Redding Samples in Hip-Hop

Check out the rap songs that borrow from one of the greatest singers ever.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Otis Redding is one of the greatest singers ever. His role in soul music and R&B is legendary. Sadly, he died at the age of 25 in a tragic airplane accident en route to a show in Wisconsin. One of his most well-known singles, "(Sittin' On) The Dock of The Bay," became the very first posthumous record to reach No. 1 on the Hot 100.

His mark on music will never be forgotten and with the release of the Watch The Throne single "Otis" last summer, Kanye West and Jay-Z introduced the icon to an entirely new generation. However, looking back, they were not the first nor the last to sample Redding's work.

Artists like Slick Rick, EPMD, Wu-Tang Clan, and Grand Puba are just a few of many musicians who've released records that sample Redding's work. Take a look at our rundown of the best Otis Redding samples and learn a little hip-hop history in process. [Otis Scream

Written by Lauren Nostro (@LAURENcynthia) and Max Goldberg (@goopygold)

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Salt 'N Pepa "Tramp" (1986)

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DBL Crew "Bust It" (1986)

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MC Shy D "Yes Yes Y'all" (1987)

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Marley Marl f/ Big Daddy Kane, Masta Ace, Craig G & Kool G Rap "The Symphony" (1988)

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EPMD "Let The Funk Flow" (1988)

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EPMD "The Steve Martin" (1988)

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MC Shan "Never Rock A Party" (1988)

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De La Soul "Eye Know" (1989)

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Queen Latifah f/ De La Soul "Mama Gave Birth to the Soul Children" (1989)

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Geto Boys "Read These Nikes" (1990)

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Masta Ace "Four Minus Three" (1990)

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Ultramagnetic MC's "Swing It to the Area" (1991)

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Doug E. Fresh "Check It Out" (1992)

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Das EFX "Dum Dums" (1992)

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Diamond D "Step to Me" (1992)

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Grand Puba "360 (What Goes Around)" (1992)

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Grand Puba "Check Tha Resume" (1992)

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Wu-Tang Clan "Da Mystery of Chessboxin" (1993)

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2 Live Crew "F*** N****" (1993)

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Slick Rick "A Love That's True Pt. 1" (1994)

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The Beatnuts "Get Funky" (1994)

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Lord Finesse "Hip 2 Da Game" (1995)

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Ghostface Killah f/ Raekwon and Cappadonna "Fish" (1996)

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Chuck D "No" (1996)

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The Firm "Affirmative Action (Remix)" (2004)

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Everlast "7 Years" (1998)

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Cocoa Brovaz "Still Standin Strong" (1998)

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Masta Killa f/ Ghostface Killah and Raekwon "D.T.D" (2004)

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Kanye West f/ Cam'ron & Consequence "Gone" (2005)

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The Diplomats "Dipset Symphony" (2005)

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Common f/ Kanye West "The Food" (2005)

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Joell Ortiz f/ Immortal Technique "Modern Day Slavery" (2007)

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The Throne "Otis" (2011)

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Exile f/ Blu " When Nothing's Left" (2011)

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Twista "Too Long" (2011)

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