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Girls groups often use a few good men to create their best songs. The key to finding the right sample or lyrics to use, truly comes down to the members or producers they work with connecting with the original song.
Some like En Vogue and TLC tap classics from “King of Soul” James Brown— which their male R&B and Hip-Hop counterparts did as well. While others like Xscape and SWV chose tracks from more contemporary artists like the late-Michael Jackson who’s more melodic songs blended their voices seamlessly. It’s all about the right fit, and using the right sample often creates instant synergy.
Xscape ft. MC Lyte – “Keep On, Keepin’ On” (Sample: Michael Jackson, “Liberian Girl”)
Almost ten years before Xscape released this single, the “King of Pop” used the original instrumentals in his 1987-hit song.
MoKenStef – “He’s Mine” (Sample: Zapp, “Be Alright”)
This trio used Zapp’s 1980 funk song to make this track. Fun fact: “Be Alright” was also sampled by H-Town for “Knockin’ Da Boots” and 2Pac for “Keep Ya Head Up”.
SWV – “Right Here” (Sample: Michael Jackson, “Human Nature”)
Understandably so, SWV sampled one of Michael Jackson’s biggest hit from 1982, for this classic love song.
En Vogue – “Hold On” (Sample: James Brown, “The Payback”)
These four ladies were giving us serious old school Supremes vibes for this hit song that sampled an uptempo James Brown song about revenge.
Spice Girls – “Wannabe” (Sample: Bobby Byrd, “Hot Pants”)
You may not have known this, but the Spice Girls used Digital Underground’s huge hit song “The Humpty Dance” for their 1997 song. Listen to the dropped beat in the beginning for reference
TLC – “What About Your Friends” (Sample: James Brown, “Blues and Pants”)
The highest selling girl group of all time used a funky James Brown song for their 1992 song, “What About Your Friends”.
Destiny’s Child – “Bug a Boo” (Sample: Toto, “Child’s Anthem”)
If you thought everything about Destiny’s Child’s rude boy-anthem, “Bug A Boo” was original, listen to the reference track from Toto.
Mary Jane Girls- “All Night Long” (Sampled by “Around the Way Girl” by LL Cool J, “You Know How We Do It” by Ice Cube Smooth and “Smooth Operator” by Big Daddy Kane)
As a twist, we had to include a girl group who’s music was all original —thanks to Prince— and was sampled at least three times by three major Hip-Hop artists.
Total – “Kissin’ You” (Sample: Delegation, “Oh Honey”)
The original 1977 song produced by Ken Gold was later used on this girl group by producer, Raphael Saadiq.
Klymaxx – “Good Love” (Sample: Graham Central Station, “The Jam”)
We love that this 1980’s girl group samples a score from a movie that had instant recognition at the time, and even now.
