R.I.P. Chuck Brown: The Most Popular Go Go-Inspired Songs

1 year ago

The Godfather of Go Go lives on in his (heavily-sampled) music

The music community is mourning the loss of regional icon and global influencer, Chuck Brown, aka the "Godfather of Go Go."

While Go Go music did not become as popular in other parts of the country as it did in it's DMV breeding ground, there is no denying that it has some DNA in much of the music we've grown up and listened to over the years.

Here is a list of jams that you may not have known were inspired by Chuck Brown.

Run DMC, "Run's House": This Davy D-produced anthem sampled the song "Ashley's Roachclip" by Chuck Brown's band Soul Searchers.

[ALSO READ: RIP MCA: Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch Dead]

Nelly, "Hot In Herre": In case you never noticed, Nelly's smash hit almost sounds like and directly references Brown's 1978 hit "Bustin' Loose."

Amerie, "1 Thing": While it can't be traced to one particular sample, the spirit of Brown's Go Go sound can be heard all throughout this Washington, D.C. native Rich Harrison-produced track.

Eve - "Tambourine": Eve's club hit sampled Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers funky opus "Blow Your Whistle."

Jill Scott, "It's Love": In what is secretly some peoples favorite song on Scott's 2000 debut album Who Is Jill Scott?, you can hear the Go Go sound driving the beat behind her singing and scatting. Brown and Scott would actually unite to work together 10 years later for the track "Love" that appeared on his album We Got This. The song earned Brown his first Grammy nomination.

[ALSO READ: Iconic 'Shaft' Guitartist Dies]

Wale, "Pretty Girls": To be from Washington, D.C., Wale doesn't use much Go Go sounds in his music, but when he does, it works, especially on his 2010 hit "Pretty Girls." The track featured singer Weensey from legendary Go Go band The Backyard Band.

EU - "Da Butt": While the sound, and even the band that made this song, had been around for almost a decade, this is probably the song that introduced the Go Go sound to the rest of the country for the first time.