FUNKY DRUMMER
In this episode of Turn The Beat Around, we unpack the story behind one of the most influential recordings in modern music: James Brown’s Funky Drummer. Recorded in 1969 and released in 1970, the track features Clyde Stubblefield’s legendary 20‑second improvised drum break — a groove that went on to be sampled in more than 2,000 songs across hip‑hop, pop, rock, dance, and electronic music.
Across two hours, we trace how this single drum loop became hip‑hop’s heartbeat, powering tracks by Public Enemy, LL Cool J, and De La Soul, before crossing into pop and rock via artists like George Michael, Fine Young Cannibals and Kylie Minogue.
- FUNKY DRUMMER PTs 1 & 2 James Brown 1969
- IT’S MY BEAT Sweet Tee & Jazzy Joyce 1986
- I KNOW YOU GOT SOUL Eric B. & Rakim 1987
- JACK THE RIPPER LL Cool J 1988
- WOULDN’T CHANGE A THING Kylie Minogue 1989
- I’M NOT THE MAN I USED TO BE Fine Young Cannibals 1989
- LIVE TOGETHER Lisa Stansfield 1989
- THE MAGIC NUMBER De La Soul 1989
- WAITING FOR THAT DAY George Michael 1990
- GHETTO HEAVEN The Family Stand 1990
- FIGHT THE POWER Public Enemy 1990
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