Doug E. Fresh vs. LL Cool J vs. Redman vs. Pete Rock & CL Smooth vs. O.C. vs. Nas
(Sample: Keni Burke “Risin’ To The Top”)
Producers have been tapping Keni Burke’s bassline from “Risin’ To The Top” for two decades now. There have been other artists other than the six below that have rocked it, but for the sake of keeping things neat, we’ll stick to these.
Some serious Hip Hop royalty have touched this one, with the mighty Bomb Squad striking first. All respect due to Marley Marl for creating the perfect balance for LL Cool J’s single for the ladies, and to Redman for his instructional classic. Pete Rock, who co-produced “How To Roll A Blunt,” took another stab at it two years later on The Main Ingredient. The Chocolate Boy Wonder lives up to his reputation here, the chopping and layering on “Take You There” are a thing of beauty. I have to give him the nod for this one.
Doug E. Fresh “Keep Risin’ To The Top” 
1988 (Produced by The Bomb Squad)
LL Cool J “Around The Way Girl” 1990 (Produced by Marley Marl)
Redman “How To Roll A Blunt” 1992 (Produced by Pete Rock & Redman)
Pete Rock & CL Smooth “Take You There” 1994 (Produced by Pete Rock)
OC “Born 2 Live” 1994 (Produced By Buckwild)
Nas “Hey Nas” 2003 (Produced by Salaam Remi)
Which is your pick?
All of these tracks are bangin’ except for the Nas cut. I would have to go with Doug E. Fresh and OC with LL Cool J as my favorites.
Cosign
i love it especially when i am making love with my honey. hehehehehehe
I’m gonna have to go with LL as the best one, followed by Pete Rock & CL Smooth. Much respect to the other artists that ripped it too.
I like OC’s and Redman’s the best. But the rest are all still great, too
Also, has anybody else noticed the similarity between Rising To The Top and the Mary Jane Girls’ All Night Long? Funnily enough, Around The Way Girl sampled both.
Good Ish/Good Ear
Big Daddy Kane’s was way better than those. If not, Redman.
http://www.youtube.com/305ilovemia#p/u
No Image No Gimmicks Just Bangin Ass Music
I Love M I A Presents $WonDough$
http://www.youtube.com/305ilovemia#p/u
All great samples, but one of them was on arguably the best hip-hop album of all time…Word Life.
I’d have to say a two tie with “Take you there” and “Around the way girls”, I like how Pete Rock and Marley Marl layered on top of the Keni Burke sample. All the selections are great expect for the Nas track.
They all were tough but im going to roll with Pete & CL..when they did that joint, i use to roll the streets with that blasting hard in the mid 90’s