Source: Christian DUCASSE / Getty
The music world is mourning the loss of iconic jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal, who passed away this past weekend at the age of 92.
His daughter, Sumayah Jamal, confirmed his April 16 passing to NPR, following a battle with prostate cancer.
A prodigy that began playing piano at just 3 years old, the Pittsburgh native’s influence has stretched far and wide, beyond the realms of Jazz. The Hip-Hop community has especially embraced his work, as it has been sampled several times over the years. From De La Soul and Common to Nas and Rick Ross, the music of Ahmad Jamal has been sampled hundreds of times, according to WhoSampled.
Here are a few of our favorites that solidifies Ahmad Jamal’s impact on the culture!
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Remembering Ahmad Jamal: Hip-Hop Tracks That Sampled The Jazz Legend was originally published on hiphopnc.com
1. The Original: “Swahililand”
Remembering Ahmad Jamal: Hip-Hop Tracks That Sampled The Jazz Legend was originally published on hiphopnc.com
2. The Sample: De La Soul’s “Stakes Is High”
Remembering Ahmad Jamal: Hip-Hop Tracks That Sampled The Jazz Legend was originally published on hiphopnc.com
3. The Original: “I Love Music”
Remembering Ahmad Jamal: Hip-Hop Tracks That Sampled The Jazz Legend was originally published on hiphopnc.com
4. The Sample: Nas’ “The World Is Yours”
Remembering Ahmad Jamal: Hip-Hop Tracks That Sampled The Jazz Legend was originally published on hiphopnc.com
5. The Original: “The Awakening”
Remembering Ahmad Jamal: Hip-Hop Tracks That Sampled The Jazz Legend was originally published on hiphopnc.com
6. The Sample: Teedra Moses’ “Be Your Girl”
Remembering Ahmad Jamal: Hip-Hop Tracks That Sampled The Jazz Legend was originally published on hiphopnc.com
7. The Original: “Ghetto Child”
Remembering Ahmad Jamal: Hip-Hop Tracks That Sampled The Jazz Legend was originally published on hiphopnc.com
8. The Sample: Common’s “They Say” (with Kanye West & John Legend)
Remembering Ahmad Jamal: Hip-Hop Tracks That Sampled The Jazz Legend was originally published on hiphopnc.com
9. The Original: “Pastures”
Remembering Ahmad Jamal: Hip-Hop Tracks That Sampled The Jazz Legend was originally published on hiphopnc.com
10. The Sample: Jay-Z’s “Feelin’ It”
Remembering Ahmad Jamal: Hip-Hop Tracks That Sampled The Jazz Legend was originally published on hiphopnc.com
11. The Original*: “I’ll Never Stop Loving You”
* Instrumental version of Doris Day’s track
Remembering Ahmad Jamal: Hip-Hop Tracks That Sampled The Jazz Legend was originally published on hiphopnc.com
12. The Sample: J. Cole’s “ATM”
Remembering Ahmad Jamal: Hip-Hop Tracks That Sampled The Jazz Legend was originally published on hiphopnc.com
13. The Original: “April in Paris”
Remembering Ahmad Jamal: Hip-Hop Tracks That Sampled The Jazz Legend was originally published on hiphopnc.com
14. The Sample: Earl Sweatshirt’s “Solace”
Remembering Ahmad Jamal: Hip-Hop Tracks That Sampled The Jazz Legend was originally published on hiphopnc.com
