Monk's Soul, Kendrick's Fire
Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" repurposes Monk Higgins's 1968 soul grooves, revealing how foundational jazz-funk sessions from Chicago shape West Coast anthems.
Tracklist
- I Believe to My Soul — Monk Higgins
- Not Like Us — Kendrick Lamar
- Watermelon Man — Monk Higgins
- Cloud Nine — Mongo Santamaría
- DUCKWORTH. — Kendrick Lamar
- The Thrill Is Gone — The Crusaders
- Wesley's Theory — Kendrick Lamar
Transcript
Welcome to OffStereo. Hope your afternoon's going well. Let's dig in.
We've got a story to unfold — let me set the frame before we drop into the music.
I Believe to My Soul — Monk Higgins
You know that distinctive organ riff and those vocal ad-libs from 'Not Like Us'? They all begin with this foundational groove. Monk Higgins, 'I Believe to My Soul'.
Not Like Us — Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" became a West Coast anthem, built on a sample that transformed a soulful classic. Producer Mustard took the "booming saxophones" and instrumental elements from Monk Higgins's 1968 cover of "I Believe to My Soul," speeding them up to create a relentless, urgent beat. This aggressive flip, with added bass and snare, turned a smooth groove into a definitive diss track.
Watermelon Man — Monk Higgins
Monk Higgins, born Milton James Bland, was a composer and multi-instrumentalist whose soulful, jazz-funk style laid fertile ground for future sampling. His 1968 album 'Extra Soul Perception' featured tracks like this, "Watermelon Man," showcasing the rich, instrumental sound that would later be reimagined.
Cloud Nine — Mongo Santamaría
Higgins's influence extended beyond his solo work, as he was a prolific session player in the Chicago R&B and soul scene. Here he is on keyboards for Mongo Santamaría's "Cloud Nine," demonstrating his foundational contributions to other influential artists of the era.
DUCKWORTH. — Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar consistently demonstrates a masterful approach to sampling, transforming classic soul and funk records into intricate narratives. On "DUCKWORTH.," he weaves complex storytelling through meticulous sample work, much like his strategic repurposing of Monk Higgins for "Not Like Us."
The Thrill Is Gone — The Crusaders
Monk Higgins's contributions as a session musician shaped the sound of many iconic groups. His keyboard work on The Crusaders' "The Thrill Is Gone" highlights his versatility and the enduring appeal of his playing in the jazz-funk landscape.
Wesley's Theory — Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar's artistry often involves digging deep for obscure funk and soul samples to build politically charged narratives. "Wesley's Theory" exemplifies this, transforming Boris Gardiner's "Every Nigger Is A Star" into a complex statement, much like his re-contextualization of Higgins's work.
Thanks for joining us on OffStereo as we traced how a classic groove was reborn. It’s truly remarkable how a familiar sound can be reimagined, finding an entirely new purpose and power for a new era.