Movie soundtracks have proven to be a terrific and expansive source material for Hip-hop. While the idea of dramatic, swelling strings and romantic crescendos isn’t one of the first things that come to mind when you picture your favorite Hip-hop instrumental, the art of sampling is directly tied to the element of surprise. Producers throughout the genre’s history have looked to cinema for inspiration in both visuals and music, as seen on our previous Golden Age Thursday, when we covered Isaac Hayes’s Shaft soundtrack.
For this week’s Golden Age Thursday, we look to a different legendary producer by the name of Quincy Jones. The celebrated producer had a hand in some of the most defining moments in pop, jazz, and soul in recent memory, to the point that an entire column could be dedicated to exploring his illustrious career. This week in particular, we’re looking at the impact of his Dollars soundtrack, specifically the unassuming, experimental cut “Kitty With the Bent Frame.” The highlight from Jones’s 1972 soundtrack has been integrated into Hip-hop by the likes of Mobb Deep and Roc Marciano, further proving the generational talent of Jones’s producing. Hear the original cut below, along with some flips of the beautifully eerie orchestration below.
Original Sample: Quincy Jones – “Kitty With The Bent Frame”
Produced by Quincy Jones
Roc Marciano – “Flash Gordon”
Produced by The Alchemist
Mobb Deep – “Shook Ones, Part II”
Produced by Havoc
Nas – “Suspect”
Produced by L.E.S.
Snoop Dogg – “Pump Pump” (Feat. Lil Malik)
Produced by Dr. Dre
