AllHipHop

RIP: The Endlessly Sampled Clyde “Funky Drummer” Stubblefield Dies, Hip-Hop Mourns

By: yourfavenightmareCategory: News

RIP TO THE FUNKY DRUMMER!

(AllHipHop News) Clyde Stubblefield, known as the Funky Drummer, died at the age of 73.

Stubblefield is the most sampled drummer in history for his role in James Brown band and a specific break that has been sampled innumerable times.

Stubblefield died in a Madison, Wisconsin, hospital of kidney failure on Saturday.

Stubblefield, most popular in the 1960’s and 70’s, was world renown for playing jams for James Brown like“Cold Sweat,” “Say It Loud—I’m Black and I’m Proud,” “I’ve Got the Feelin’,” and other songs. However, it was the song “Funky Drummer” that made Stubblefield a Hip-Hop icon.

Public Enemy, Dr. Dre, LL Cool J, Run-D.M.C., Rakim, Beastie Boys, N.W.A. and non-Hip-Hop acts like Ed Sheeran, Sinead O’Connor, Kenny G and George Michael all sampled “The Funky Drummer.” Unfortunately, Stubblefield did not profit greatly in royalties.

Prince personally paid for $80,000 in medical bills for Stubblefield when he was ailing from bladder cancer in 2000.

On Instagram, Questlove said, “Clyde Stubblefield thank you for everything you’ve taught me. The spirit of the greatest grace note left hand snare drummer will live on thru all of us.”

Check out the Funky Drummer.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Questlove (@questlove)