Strictly Butter | 01

Golden era hip hop to fuel the revival of rap with soul and depth.

Revive Rap (Jim Sharp Remix feat. El Da Sensei) - Sam Krats

I Like It (I Wanna Be Where You Are - LP Version)  -  Grand Puba

Lyrics to Go - Soul Supreme

Melatonin  -  A Tribe Called Quest

Drop -  The Pharcyde

Who Got Da Props -  Black Moon

Daylight  -  Blockhead

Complexity (ft. Jill Scott)  -  The Roots

Burn  -  Black Milk & Nat Turner

Dilla Plugged In  -  De La Soul

Devil's Pie  -  D'Angelo

Beeds On A String  -  Jungle Brothers

9th Wonder (Instrumental)  -  Digable Planets

History  -  Yasiin Bey Mos Def ft Talib Kweli

Fortunate  -  Pete Rock Common

“Revive Rap (Jim Sharp Remix)” [feat. El Da Sensei]
Jim Sharp, the UK-based DJ/editor renowned for hip-hop reworks, reimagined El Da Sensei’s original cut with a stripped-down break, melodic horn stabs, and a soulful vibe that brings back the feeling of the golden era. Released as a limited 7" on his imprint in 2017. A deep cut with early ’90s boom-bap authenticity (Artifacts, El Da Sensei) with a directive against the prevailing muddled rap styles of today.

“I Like It (I Wanna Be Where You Are - LP Version)” – Grand Puba
A feel-good classic cut with the beautiful El Debarge vocal sample that showcases Grand Puba’s effortless flow. A highlight of 90s jazz-rap and a crossover moment for Puba post-Brand Nubian, the track was released on Reel to Reel (1992, Elektra Records). The original instrumentation (Mark Sparks’ lush strings, p-funk bass) gives it crossover appeal on soul-friendly floors. The track also samples Michael Jackson’s version of “I Wanna Be Where You Are.” The sample clearance was reportedly one of the more expensive on the album, but Elektra backed it due to the song’s early popularity.

 “Lyrics to Go” – Soul Supreme
Soul Supreme’s instrumental reinterpretation with lush Fender Rhodes and live drums. This version was released April 17, 2020, on 7" vinyl (2020, Soul Supreme Records). The A-side flips A Tribe Called Quest’s original while the B-side reworks “Check The Rhime.” A DJ favorite for bridging beat-driven sets with live jazz. First-run black vinyl sold out quickly; Soul Supreme said he crafted his rendition to “take the listener on a trip to overlooked tracks they know, but from a different perspective” via jazz reharmonizations and improvisation.

“Melatonin” – A Tribe Called Quest
Moody and experimental track with pitch-bent samples and fractured rhythms from We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service (released in 2016) was written and produced by Q-Tip and Blair Wells. Q-Tip handled all drum programming and keyboards; musicians include Marsha Ambrosius (vocal) and Masayuki “BIGYUKI” Hirano (synth). Melatonin contains no samples, only original compositions. A favorite in late-night hip-hop radio and neo-soul sets, appreciated for its mellow mood and Q-Tip’s reflective verse.

“Drop” – The Pharcyde
Produced by J Dilla, released as a single in 1995 from Labcabincalifornia (Delicious Vinyl). Sampled the Beastie Boys' “The New Style.” A surrealist boom-bap banger built around warped samples. Features an ornate reversed sample of Dorothy Ashby’s “Django” and Beastie Boys’ “The New Style” vocal hook. The video became one of the most iconic of the 90s, directed by Spike Jonze and filmed in one take, reversed, and starred all Pharcyde members. Often cited as J Dilla’s first significant production for another artist. 

“Who Got Da Props” – Black Moon
A boom-bap classic from Brooklyn’s Buckshot and DJ Evil Dee. The track’s jazzy horn loop and rugged drums became a street anthem in the early '90s with its eerie keys and punchy snares. The sample from Grover Washington Jr. added a smooth menace and became a blueprint for gritty 90s underground hip-hop. Black Moon were teenagers when they recorded this. The original Nervous 12" is highly collectible and came in a stark white sleeve with the "Nervous" cartoon logo. 

“Daylight” – Blockhead
An instrumental classic from one of hip-hop’s most cinematic beatmakers, blending psychedelic samples, lo-fi drum breaks, and surreal vocal snippets. Released in 2004 on Ninja Tune. Blockhead produced this track solo, layering chopped guitar and ambient textures with dusty drums. Originally appeared on Music By Cavelight. The album was assembled from Blockhead’s solo work after producing tracks for Aesop Rock. "Daylight" features dense layers of obscure vinyl loops and was created entirely on an Akai MPC2000. Blockhead cites early DJ Shadow and Prince Paul as primary influences.

“Complexity (ft. Jill Scott)” – The Roots
Smooth, neo-soul blended with hip-hop groove and live instrumentation. Jill Scott’s poetic vocals dance around Questlove’s pocket drumming. From Phrenology (2002, MCA Records). Produced by The Roots. Jill Scott was an original collaborator with the group before releasing her solo work. “Complexity” references Herbie Hancock’s Head Hunters LP in its bridge instrumentation. The bassline draws inspiration from Roy Ayers. Jill Scott’s verse was reportedly recorded in a single take.
 

“Burn” – Black Milk & Nat Turner
A heavy live-band hip-hop cut filled with analog funk textures and political urgency. Released on The Rebellion Sessions (2016). Produced by Black Milk in collaboration with the live band Nat Turner. “Burn” was improvised in the studio following the 2015 Baltimore uprisings and was completed in just one week with the trio jamming live. Nat Turner, the band, was named to honor the Black revolutionary spirit. The track is a reflection of Detroit’s post-Dilla jazz-funk vanguard, blending live instrumentation with beat-making precision.

“Dilla Plugged In” – De La Soul

A tribute cut full of J Dilla’s signature swung drums and lo-fi soul chops, laced with nostalgic lyricism from De La Soul. Appears on Smell the Da.I.S.Y. (2014), a De La Soul mixtape and limited release EP that used unreleased J Dilla beats. De La’s vocals were recorded and layered by engineer Supa Dave West. The entire Smell the Da.I.S.Y. project was offered as a free download via BitTorrent Bundle and included a documentary about J Dilla’s influence on De La Soul, honoring both De La’s abstract lyricism and Dilla’s posthumous beat canon.

“Devil’s Pie” – D’Angelo

Neo-soul stripped to a bare beat and bassline with D’Angelo singing against industry and ego excess. Produced by DJ Premier and released on Voodoo (2000, Virgin Records). D’Angelo nearly didn’t release the track, believing it was “too raw.” Premier insisted, and the result became a classic. The beat was made using an SP-1200 and samples from “And I Love You” by People’s Choice. A blunt set-stopper in late-‘90s sets; embraced by both soul heads and boom-bap DJs.

“Beeds On A String” – Jungle Brothers

Released in 1988 as part of their groundbreaking debut Straight Out the Jungle (Warlock Records), the track is tribal jazz-rap with hypnotic bass, tribal drums, and bongo-led breaks. Produced by the group alongside Kool DJ Red Alert. One of the earliest examples of Afrocentric themes in hip hop production and an early part of the jazz-rap movement, inspiring the formation of Native Tongues. The JBs recorded it at Calliope Studios in NYC. Contains samples from Black Sabbath, The Undisputed Truth, and Whitney Houston, along with live percussion loops and layered vocals.

“9th Wonder (Instrumental)” – Digable Planets

Interstellar instrumental channeling Black bohemia through Rhodes keys, upright bass, and delayed snares. Taken from their sophomore LP Blowout Comb (1994, Pendulum/EMI). Produced by Ishmael “Butterfly” Butler. This instrumental version appears on later vinyl and CD reissues and promo samplers. The track is named after influential jazz drummer Roy Ayers’ ensemble “9th Wonder” and conceptually gives a nod to Pan-African futurism.

“History” – Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) ft. Talib Kweli

Produced by J Dilla and released on The Ecstatic (2009, Downtown Records), this track is both spiritual and defiant; fusing conscious rap with a classic soul groove. Features Talib Kweli for an unofficial Black Star reunion. Dilla originally made the beat during his Jay Dee era. Kweli reportedly freestyled most of his verse during an impromptu session in L.A. Regarded as one of the strongest post-Black Star tracks that showcases their reverence for Dilla’s sonic chops.

“Fortunate” – Pete Rock & Common

Produced by Pete Rock and released on the Auditorium album in 2024. Features warm horns, gritty drums, and smooth bars about fate and gratitude. The beat originally featured a sample from Al Green’s “Simply Beautiful,” later replaced due to clearance issues. The track is now known for its vocal sample of “Guarde Nos Olhos” by Ivan Lins. This contemporary Pete Rock/Common collaboration blends introspective lyricism with classic Soul Brother sonics, a showcase of experience and skill in rap. 

Dig deeper: Sample Spotlight on Fortunate's Brazilian vocal