10 Best Rock Samples In Hip Hop
3. That Lady - I (Kendrick Lamar)
To Pimp A Butterfly was one of the highest and most widely praised records of 2015, and it's already considered one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time.
Kendrick Lamar pulled out all the stops when it came to the musical collaborations on this record, with the bass playing virtuoso Thundercat and mixing-desk wizard, Pharrell Williams, both lending a hand.
But one of the more significant contributions came in the form of Ronald Isley from The Isley Brothers - a group that spanned genres, from funk, soul, R&B and rock. Not only did the single i contain samples from the 1973 song My Lady, but Ronald Isley re-recorded several guitar parts that were also used in Lamar's hit single.
It's those silky rhythmic chords from The Isley Brothers that give this track its beautifully defiant sense of motion. Creating the perfect environment for Lamer to spit some of his most inspiring lines, preaching, pride and self-love in the face of the oppressive forces in society.
The album version of this track was significantly different from the single release, featuring an altercation at one of Lamar's live shows. Both versions have their own merit, however, and both have Ronald Isley to thank.