Inside George Clinton’s $1.1M Lawsuit and His Most Iconic Samples
The music industry owes funk music legend George Clinton more than just his flowers, and now, he’s ready to collect on everything he’s owed in the form of a $1.1 million lawsuit.
On May 15, Clinton filed a civil suit against Universal Music Group (UMG) for allegedly skimping out on royalties that are just due, according to the 20-page document obtained by Music Business Worldwide. While it’s now in the hands of the court to determine how much– if anything– “the Prime Minister of Funk” is owed, we can’t help but recognize how Clinton’s career as a singer, songwriter and producer has lived on through the delicate art of sampling.
From Parliament and Funkadelic to Childish Gambino and Ice Cube, these are some of Clinton’s most sampled songs and the artists who added their own flair to the funk mega hits!
Parliament – Mothership Connection (Star Child)
The fourth song on Parliament’s “Tear the Roof Off 1974-1980” is one of many Clinton-produced tracks that have lived on for several generations. “Mothership Connection (Star Child),” which was released in 1975, has been heavily sampled predominantly by rap and hip-hop groups.
Dr. Dre – Let Me Ride
Dr. Dre teamed up with Snoop Dogg to give us “Let Me Ride,” which not only samples Clinton, but it also flips the African American spiritual, “Swing Down Sweet Chariot,” which was notably covered by Elvis Presley.
Pimp C – Swang Down / 10 a Key
Pimp C’s “Swang Down / 10 a Key” also samples “Mothership Connection (Star Child).” Pimp C was a massive student of George Clinton’s P-Funk catalog. Funny enough, UGK’s “Front, Back & Side to Side” samples this same Clinton song too.
George Clinton – Flash Light
Perhaps the Clinton song with the most samples ever is the one and only “Flash Light.” It’s one of those instantly recognizable records that’s guaranteed to have singing and dancing along to. It’s been sampled over 60 times. Here are just a couple of examples…
Salt-N-Pepa – I’ll Take Your Man
The 1986 hit “I’ll Take Your Man” is one of Salt-N-Pepa’s most iconic songs. Interestingly enough, the City Girls added their own flip to the Clinton-inspired track. The Miami duo’s record goes by the same name, “Take Yo Man.”
UGK’s – Protect and Serve
UGK’s 1994 song, “Protect and Serve,” is a satirical track that criticizes the police and police brutality. They mention Rodney King, the Black man whose brutal beating by police prompted the 1992 LA Riots.
Funkadelic – Good To Your Earhole
Funk music is more than just about syncopated basslines and groovy melodies. In his career, Clinton mastered the art of incorporating traditional funk elements while also keeping listeners on their feet, jamming along.
Childish Gambino – Riot
Decades after Funkadelic’s prime, Atlanta singer and rapper Childish Gambino– aka Donald Glover– dropped his critically acclaimed album, Awaken My Love.” On the record “Riot,” Glover samples “Good To Your Earhole.” Much of Glover’s album was directly inspired by Clinton and Funkadelic. That includes the cover, which references Funkadelic’s 1971 album, “Maggot Brain.”
Funkadelic – Get Off Your Ass and Jam
It’s almost impossible to listen to a record produced by Clinton and not feel the urge to bust a move! In this 1975 track, the title provides clear instructions about how to properly listen.
Public Enemy – Bring The Noise
If the riff from the Clinton track sounded strangely familiar, it’s probably because it’s sampled in “Bring The Noise,” the 1991 track by Public Enemy.
N.W.A – 100 Miles And Runnin’
Outside of the N.W.A track, being a classic gangster rap song, also set an interesting precedent for sampling songs in rap music. In 2005, “100 Miles and Runnin’” was at the center of a lawsuit, officially called Bridgeport Music, Inc. v. Dimension Films. The landmark copyright case set a new standard, requiring artists to either get a license or not sample at all.
Funkadelic – (Not Just) Knee Deep
You’ve probably heard Funkadelic’s “(Not Just) Knee Deep,” but did you know the full version is over 15 minutes long?
2Pac – Can’t C Me
Of course, the King of the West Coast would sample one of Clinton’s most notable records! “Can’t C Me” on the “All Eyez on Me” album is one of the most popular songs on the album… and that’s saying a lot since the 2Pac record has no skips!
De La Soul – Me Myself and I
2Pac and De La Soul often compete for who sampled Clinton’s record the best.
George Clinton – Atomic Dog
Another popular song produced by Clinton is “Atomic Dog,” which you can hear in various movies, TV shows and rap songs.
Snoop Dogg – Who Am I (What’s My Name)?
The 1993 track, “Who Am I (What’s My Name)?” by Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and Jewell is the most popular sample of Clinton’s 1982 hit. Snoop would go to sample the same song on several other records.
Ice Cube – Friday
Clearly, Clinton’s “Atomic Dogg” resonated with West Coast rappers because in 1995, Ice Cube would sample the song in his “Friday” record, the title track to go along with the “Friday” film.
