By Leslie Simon

Digable Planets are known for their jazzy, interstellar funk sound, and are considered to be part of the “Boom-bap” subgenre of hip-hop that was popular in the 80s-90s. Their vintage-sounding drum hits and socially-conscious lyrics mix with jazz samples to create a fresh sound that is loved by people of many different ages, so we decided to go deeper and explore the jazz songs Digable Planets sampled for their hit song "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" that was released in 1992. 

Do you know any of the original jazz songs they used? Grab your friends who love jazz, dancing, and chill good times, and join us in the Arvada Center Outdoor Amphitheatre on July 9th for Digable Planets!

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“Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” (1992)

Songs Sampled:

Fred Wesley and The J.B.’s “Blow Your Head” (1974)

Digable Planets used the riff from this song by The J.B.’s - J.B. short for James Brown, as this was his band who performed under various names.

“Stretching” Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers (1979)

Several elements from Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers were sampled for “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” including that signature horn fanfare. 

“Foodstamps” The 24-Carat Black (1973)

While Motown’s 24-Carat Black only released one album Ghetto: Misfortune’s Wealth, the funk concept album left its mark, and has been sampled many times by acts including Digable Planets, Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes and Kendrick Lamar. 

“Impeach the President” The Honey Drippers (1973)

This lighthearted funk ditty about then-current president Richard Nixon and Watergate’s drum sounds can be found in “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat).”

“On The Subway” The Last Poets (1970)

The Last Poets debut spoken word album spawned the single “On The Subway,” and some of its lyrics including “blink, blink, think, think” can be found in “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” as well as songs by N.W.A. and The Notorious B.I.G.