#sampling samples

How do we salute Syl Johnson who passed away this weekend? By giving a nod to one of his 45′s. Our hands reach for “Is It Because I’m Black” because it’s a moment Cypress Hill gave us with “Lock Down” (interlude) off of their second album Black Sunday (1992), going down smooth and mellow on a ride through East Los Angeles. More importantly, however, is the troublesome and painful-to-face lyrics Johnson sings on “Is It Because I’m Black”. It’s still unfortunately relevant today as it was back then and way before, as long as black people are discriminated across the board and held down by no fault on their own.

Mark Anthony Morales left the Fat Boys to go solo, leaving Damon Wimbley (Kool Rock Ski) and Darren Robinson (Buff Love The Human Beatbox) to go as a duo on the final record Mack Daddy (1991). This is his debut single and the only one of his I heard of. I still remember it, too. Helped that it sampled two of the Eighties’ biggest groove classics: The Gap Band’s “Outstanding” (’82) and The Mary Jane Girls’ “All Night Long” (’83).