Okay, class, here’s another song for you. This one is by The Incredible Bong Band, using the song “Apache,” written by Jerry Lordan and originally recorded by The Shadows. The guitar was repeated by other groups, but the Bongo Band overlaid a drum/bongo beat that made it a classic and became the wellspring of hip-hop. the-breaks.com offers this list of songs that have sampled the beats from this masterpiece.
The Sugarhill Gang created a more well-known classic by adding Western-themed lyrics and the unforgettable, “Jump On It!” in the chorus to create an instant dance hit. The Sugarhill Gang version still works pretty well on the dance floor when mixed in with newer music.
And then The Fresh Prince himself gave us this:
