Michael Jackson HIStory World Tour
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It's pretty much impossible to overestimate Michael Jackson's impact on pop music. The songs, the albums, the outfits, the television performances, the videos—it all adds up, and in Jackson's case, it adds up to a legacy that will never leave us.

While his influence on pop music is often noted, it's his contributions to hip-hop that interest us here. Along with James Brown, Michael Jackson is one of the most sampled artists in the history of the form, his popular songs and his rarities constantly serving as the lifeblood for a new generation of aspiring rappers and crate-digging producers. Through work as a solo artist and his work in the Jackson 5, Jackson left behind a sonic treasure chest for future generations looking to find that perfect beat.

In celebration of what would have been Jackson's 55th birthday, we've put together a list of 55 songs that sample the gloved one's vast catalog. From early innovators of rap like Eric B. and Rakim to newcomers like Earl Sweatshirt, it's a list that displays the profound impact Jackson had on hip-hop's early years and the allure he still holds to artists today. All hail the king! - Dan Jackson

“100 Miles And Runnin’” N.W.A
Sample: “Thriller”

“1st Of Tha Month (Remix)” Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Sample:“The Lady in My Life”

“911 Is A Joke” Public Enemy
Sample: "Thriller”

“A Message for Your Mind” Rappin’ 4-Tay
Sample: “I Want You Back”

“All That I Got Is You” Ghostface Killah Featuring Mary J. Blige
Sample: “Maybe Tomorrow”

“Apostle’s Warning” Mobb Deep
Sample: “People Make the World Go ’Round”

“Avenues” Refugee Camp Allstars
Sample: “Billie Jean”

“Baby” Fabolous Featuring Mike Shorey
Sample: “I Can’t Help It”

“Been Away” Q “The Kid” Featuring Jermaine Dupri
Sample: “I Wanna Be Where You Are”

“Bendicion Mami” Fat Joe
Sample: “Maria You Were The Only One”

“Breakadawn” De La Soul
Sample: “I Can’t Help It”

“The B-Side” Masta Ace
Sample: “Ain’t No Sunshine”

“By The Time I Get To Arizona” Public Enemy
Sample: “Walk On”

“Cheat On You” Mase Featuring Lil’ Cease And Jay-Z
Sample: “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough”

“Come And Get It” T-Pain Featuring Ace Hood & Busta Rhymes
Sample: “It's Great To Be Here”

“Cool Breeze On The Rocks” De La Soul
Sample: “Rock With You”

“Dat Ass” Earl Sweatshirt
Sample: "All I Do Is Think Of You"

“Eric B. Is On The Cut” Eric B. & Rakim
Sample: "It’s Great to Be Here”

“Givin’ Up the Nappy Dug Out” Ice Cube
Sample: “Smooth Criminal”

“Good Life” Kanye West
Sample: “P.Y.T. [Pretty Young Thing]”

“Got Your Money”––Ol’ Dirty Bastard Featuring Kelis
Sample: “Billie Jean”

“Gunshowers" Method Man, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon Featuring Inspectah Deck and Sun God
Sample: "La-La Means I Love You"

“Heaven's Arms” Game (“Aint' No Sunshine”)
Sample:

“Hey Lover”––LL Cool J & Boyz II Men
Sample: “The Lady in My Life”

“I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)”––Jay-Z
Sample: “I Want You Back”

“I Know You Got Soul (Remix)” Eric B. & Rakim
Sample: “I Want You Back”

“It Ain’t Hard to Tell” Nas
Sample: “Human Nature”

“It’s All About the Benjamins”–– Puff Daddy Featuring The Lox
Sample: “It’s Great to Be Here”

“Inhuman Nature”––J Dilla
Sample: “Human Nature”

Human Nature - From Original To Innovative from Marc Malabanan on Vimeo.

“Intro” De La Soul
Sample: “Sing a Simple Song/Can You Remember”

“Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” Jay-Z
Sample: “I Want You Back”

“Jump” Kris Kross
Sample: “I Want You Back”

“Keep On, Keepin’ On” MC Lyte Featuring Xscape
Sample: “Liberian Girl”

“Letter 2 My Unborn” 2Pac
Sample: “Liberian Girl”

“Mad Scientist” Large Professor
Sample: "Thriller”

“Mega-Mixx II” 2 Live Crew
Sample: “It’s Great to Be Here”

“Move” Q-Tip
Sample: “Dancing Machine”

“Mudd Foot” Biz Markie
Sample: “Thriller”

“No Guest List” Def Squad
Sample: “Thriller”

“One More Chance”––The Notorious B.I.G.
Sample: “I Want You Back”

“One More Drink” Ludacris Featuring T-Pain
Sample: “Heaven Can Wait”

“O.P.P.” Naughty by Nature
Sample: “ABC”

“Overweighter” Heavy D & The Boyz
Sample: “ABC”

“Peaceful Journey” Heavy D & The Boyz
Sample: “Heartbreak Hotel/This Place Hotel”

“Poor Georgie” MC Lyte
Sample: “I Wanna Be Where You Are”/“Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’”

“Put Ya Hands Up” Jadakiss
Sample: “The Boogie Man”

“Rainy Dayz” Raekwon
Sample: “Ain’t No Sunshine”

“Street Opera” Ghostface Killah Featuring Sun God
Sample: “Ain’t No Sunshine”

“Substance Abuse” Smoke DZA Featuring Den 10
Sample: "Who's Loving You"

“They Bout to Find Yo Body” Three 6 Mafia
Sample: “Smooth Criminal”

“Thug Nature” 2Pac
Sample: “Human Nature”

“Tia Told Me” 50 Cent
Sample: "Never Say Goodbye”

“World Go Round”––Naughty by Nature
Sample: “People Make the World Go ’Round”

“You Ain’t a Killa”––Big Pun
Sample: “With a Child’s Heart”

“You Know How We Do It”––Ice Cube
Sample: “Billie Jean”

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