EXCLUSIVE: Rap Pioneer T La Rock Discusses His Influence On Drake's New Single "Wu-Tang Forever"

(AllHipHop News) Drake’s new single “Wu Tang Forever” is already an internet sensation. The song has been touted as a tip of the hat to Shaolin’s finest, but Hip-Hop lovers will recognize the hook samples Wu Tang’s own tribute to the “Lyrical King” aka T La Rock and his seminal single “It’s Yours.” T La […]

T La Rock
T La Rock In The Early 1980’s

(AllHipHop News) Drake’s new single “Wu Tang Forever” is already an internet sensation. The song has been touted as a tip of the hat to Shaolin’s finest, but Hip-Hop lovers will recognize the hook samples Wu Tang’s own tribute to the “Lyrical King” aka T La Rock and his seminal single “It’s Yours.”

T La Rock, an MC and DJ since the early 70’s, collaborated with Rick Rubin and “It’s Yours” stands in history as Def Jam’s first release in 1984.

Since then, the song has been sampled or reworked by several generations of artists including Nas, Drake, Q-Tip, Mystikal, and Wu Tang.

“When Wu Tang made ‘Its Yourz’ it took a while before people realized the entire concept was based on my song. Unbelievable!!” T La Rock exclaimed to AllHipHop.com. “I freestyled off of Nas ‘The World Is Yours’ instrumental from Illmatic at a jam not long ago. And some people came up to me and said I did a better job on that Nas beat than he did.”

When asked about Drake, T La Rock responds, “I have not met him. But I hear he has mentioned my name over the years.”

Did T La Rock receive credit or publishing from the numerous versions he has inspired?

“I always receive a check. I am still collecting royalty and publishing checks from records I recorded years ago.” T La Rock told AllHipHop.com. “I educate the artist of today that do not know about publishing. Royalty checks is lunch money compared to publishing.”

Today, AllHipHop.com wishes T La Rock a Happy, Henny, Birthday!

T La Rock – It’s Yours http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXpyMtvi1as

Wu Tang Clan – Its Yourz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OmS51lDEYg

Nas – The World Is Yours http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_srvHOu75vM

Drake – Wu-Tang Forever http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Gz_ZPdYDgY