In theaters today is Get On Up, which focuses on the life on the legendary James Brown. He was a true pioneer in the funk sound, and is known worldwide as "The Godfather of Soul." While Complex Music put you onto James Brown tracks that hip-hop fans should know, we wanted to give you something different. They let the world know about Clyde Stubblefield, who was on the drums for James Brown's "Funky Drummer," which contains some Stubblefield licks that became the backbone of plenty of hip-hop tracks during an important era. The "Funky Drummer" breakbeat also had an impact on the dance music scene, possibly bridging from the love of hip-hop that many electronic music producers share.
From the early '90s hardcore days throughout most of the jungle and drum & bass scene, as well as being used in the breaks/breakbeat scene, the "Funky Drummer" has been a staple. Everyone from Moby to Machinedrum has utilized some part of the track, and we have a feeling that as more producers dive into using throwback tracks, these breaks will re-emerge once again. Here are 20 great uses of the "Funky Drummer" breakbeat.
Caustic Window - "Pop Corn"
Label: Rephlex
Year: 1992
DJ SS & EQ - "Volume 1"
Label: Formation
Year: 1992
EQ - "Total Xstacy"
Label: Formation
Year: 1992
A Guy Called Gerald - "This Is The Right Time"
Label: Juice Box
Year: 1993
DJ Red Alert & Mike Slammer - "In Effect"
Label: Slammin Vinyl
Year: 1993
Moby - "Drug Fits The Face"
Label: Instinct Records
Year: 1993
Gus Gus - "Purple"
Label: Kjól & Anderson
Year: 1995
Hellfish - "Headbanger (Ballbasher Mix)"
Label: Deathchant
Year: 1997
Digital - "Red Mist"
Label: Creative Source
Year: 2001
Future Cut - "Obsession"
Label: Metalheadz
Year: 2001
Usual Suspects & DJ Friction - "Stressed Out"
Label: Trouble On Vinyl
Year: 2001
Aquasky vs. Masterblaster - "Soundbwoy"
Label: Passenger
Year: 2002
DJ Trax & Paradox - "Epoch"
Label: Outsider
Year: 2004
Mutt - "Hands Free"
Label: Renegade Recordings
Year: 2007
Bachelors Of Science - "The Ice Dance"
Label: Horizons Music
Year: 2008
Q Project - "Credit Crunch"
Label: Hospital
Year: 2008
Redlight ft. The Voodoos - "Rock The House"
Label: Lobster Boy
Year: 2009
DJ Fresh - "Araknoid"
Label: Ram
Year: 2011
Machinedrum - "Come1"
Label: Planet Mu
Year: 2011
dBridge - "Cornered"
Label: Metalheadz
Year: 2012