The Hip Hop Sample That ACCIDENTALLY Changed Everything 

The fact that hip hop is already middle aged is crazy. So young compared to other genres, but already has years of classic songs and artists as if it had been around for centuries.

Finally someone giving Cap'n Geech and Shrimp Shack Shooters the respect they deserve.

Fun fact: Michael Viner of The Incredible Bongo Band also discovered The Sylvers and signed them to MGM Records.

Happy 50th anniversary to the culture, and thank you Brandon Shaw for your contribution.

My father is Preston Epps, who is the ORIGINAL Mr. Bongo Rock 1959 and Bongola was an album in 1961 made him. Incredible Bongo Band redid in 1973. Really, all the credits should go to my father for this movement, not the Incredible Bongo Band. But I thank you for the mention of my father, for He's the true and original Mr. Bongo Rock!

As an old school B-Boy, this sample in the song became the essence of my grooving on the floor, of my dance spirit. I loved to explode furious moves on the floor in battle, when this was played. It still hits me in the feels, every time I hear it. Great review! Respect, peace and love!

Great video as always. Fun fact: In a bit of a full circle moment, Salaam Remi slowing down Apache for Made You Look for Nas was, according to Salaam, also a happy accident.

This song, The Funky Drummer & Ashley’s Roachclip by the Soul Searchers are the 3 most sampled songs in Hip-Hop.

The 'Chinese drum' is listed as an instrument that appears on The Shadows release which might have a bearing on why bongos appear on future covers. The person playing this was Cliff Richard.

I was there. Not at the party, but my dad lived across the street in the River Park Towers. What they were trying to do was keep the party dancing, Herc wanted to fill in the time between the songs. This in-between time was professionally handled by an emcee. Emcees would talk in between the songs. One time a man named Kurtis Blow said some things he heard in the form of a rap that was made easy to memorize by putting it in a rhyme. It was about how to survive in the ghetto and be proud of being Black. Kurtis used to stand on the corner and do these raps, but no one would really listen. It wasn't until the Block Parties when Emcees started to let people say quick raps in between songs that rap became famous. Kurtis Blow didn't start it, but he became famous for it when he started rapping about hard times with his song: These Are The Breaks. That Bongo song is in fact the tree of all trees! It's the cornerstone. Emcees used it to talk to the crowd to keep their attention and keep them drinking. What Herc and several others were doing was trying to get to the next song without stopping, but we didn't have mixers. His sliding of the records was considered a mistake and made people laugh, but he learned to make beats with sections of songs. Several people did variations of this, but the two things are different things that came together because the emcees needed someone to fill the void. Someone unknown started rapping saying stupid stuff in the intermission of a song to the beat of that Bongo song and we all thought it was funny as hell because he was talking about sex. He made it rhyme. Everyone that you know in rap attended these Block Parties in the Bronx, but this was not at the Herc party, it was a regular block party. The bongo song that really got it started was: Let's Dance to the Drummer's Beat. When that song came on everyone would try to say something cool to get the ladies excited. This often caused a lot of fights. But the way to keep people from fighting was to say something everyone thought was cool. It kept the party alive. It didn't really take hold till about 1978, but in the underground dance scene, it was catching fire quickly as Emcees started hiring rappers. People who could rhyme words often could keep up with the rhythm of any song. Rap wasn't initially put to music. When rap was done it had to be short as the next record would come on. It slowly but surely began to get hot when rappers started to challenge each other instead of fighting. This was true for Grand Master Flashes' crew and Full Force, Grand Master won easily. They won several events. There were several others that I can't think of right now who also became famous, they were actually better than Grand Master Flashes crew. It wasn't considered a talent until Sugar Hill Gang made money from it. Their song was trashed originally. It was considered junk by the standards of the day. The bongo beat was where everyone lived with their raps and if you could swing it, you could win. My brother and my cousin and I won several competitions at the River Park Towers, but none at the Block Parties. The main thing to remember is that these things were all separate. They didn't rap in discos. They didn't rap in hotels where emcees really made their money. They only rapped at house parties or at the Block Parties for Black emcees. Follow the path of Black Emcees to find the connections. That Bongo song was an intermission song that became a space where rappers could fill the void. That's all.

Dude your videos are so good. Sound 10/10, Editing 10/10, content 10/10. I love what your are doing. Thank you.

Happy 50th to the greatest genre in the world! Thanks for all these deep dives, this channel is top tier

The break dancing became real serious at the park jams when Apache came on. Everything was fun and lighthearted when the DJ put on Apache all the dancers faces changed time to get it in!

Apache was an instrumental hit for a four piece band from the UK called the Shadows back in the early 60's. They were also the backing band for Cliff Richard, a huge English pop star pre Beatles! He is still alive and is still performing.

Jim Gordon is also credited as a co-writer in Layla, since he wrote the piano coda.

Shoutout to you, Brandon Shaw! Nice way to reference the O-NEEDers from one of the most enjoyable movies of all time! You, like The Wonders, should keep doing That Thing You Do! 10:12

I love the scope of all these videos. The stated premise and how you are able to give so much history and context. Love this content.

My brother - your attention to detail is awe - inspiring! Continued blessings to you on the growth of your channel. Loving the podcast, also!

Your videos are always on point. Instant click. Your love for hip hop always shine through. The story telling is amazing.

Sharing some great knowledge as usual. Thanks for mentioning Jim Gordon, a very influential drummer with a dramatic life, who is rarely talked about. All blessings and love!

This has to be my favourite episode yet, it's so fun. Not only did I learn something new about the genre's inception, but you also put me onto the Incredible Bongo Band and a hilarious B-movie blaxploitation film. Keep doing what you do Brandon 😊

I love your videos. Really like the way you present, and the information is just fascinating. I was listening to Hip Hop when it was Electro - maybe started around 83/84? So some of what you talk about, I already know. But then there are so many connections you make, that I really didn't know about, or didn't know with clarity. Really appreciate what you do!

Never seen any of your videos before but man, your production is absolute fire. Chill atmo, good jokes, awesome pick of things to show and really neat and tied-up story telling. What a fascinating peace! Thanks for uploading this :)

Happy 50th to Hip hop 💃🏾. As a music nerd, i appreciate your channel very much 🔥.

The Thing with Two Heads starred Rosey Grier. He was the black dude they sowed the bigots head to. He used to play for the Rams back in the day. Part of the Fearsome Foursome. He also helped garbed the dude that shot Robert Kennedy. I just remember meeting him when I was a little kid and he seemed HUGE as hell.

Dude, your videos are incredible and super interesting. I’m 43 and I’ve loved hip hop for as long as I can remember. You really bring back some awesome memories in these videos!

Not a "That thing you do" Reference! Love this channel!

I love your channel. Your videos are so well crafted, the storytelling, the tech, the references, editing, and most importantly, how interesting your stories are. Hats off!

This has slowly but surely become my favorite channel on RU-vid. So much great knowledge - keep it brother 🤘

I saw a documentary on the making of Apache and Michael Viner’s Incredible Bongo Band. I don’t remember almost anything about it cuz I was probably drunk af 😂 but I do remember (I think) how the musicians were always different when doing live shows. A “fake” band helped create a legacy that defined an entire genre of music and led to the creation of a culture still standing strong and on top 50 years later. That speaks volumes. Dope video and always look forward to these uploads 💯

Another excellent video, Brandon. I'm in awe of your relaxed, personable, and nonetheless educational style. What a great way to learn! Respect.

yo... keep doing what you're doing, because I love "That Thing You Do!"

Amazing that reggae (68) and hip hop (73) have made such an impact on world music. Here's to the next 50 although I hopefully will get to see another 25 / 30 myself 😊

For once, the RU-vid algorithm did me a solid and put this video in my feed. I have watched a few now and really appreciate your takes and focus on the production. I was around for all the early rap stuff, it all started when I found an “eaten” cassette in our yard (someone had ripped it out of their player and thrown it out of the window). I happened to have a Radio Shack splicing block for removing unused tape when I’d record vinyl to cassette for portability. So, I cut out the damaged part of the tape and spliced it back together. It was a homemade mixtape of several hip hop songs, so I started paying attention. I DJd through the mid-80s into the mid-90s, sadly in more (for lack of a sugar-coated euphemism) white clubs, I always kept an ear & eye out on the Hip hop world and we did play the more crossover hits. I used to try to figure out the songs that were sampled (long before the internet and “WhoSampled”). I am loving your stories!

10:11 “Captain Geetch and the Shrimp Shack shooters” aka “The Oneders” aka “The Wonders” loved that reference @ That Thing You Do

Bongorock 1973 wouldn't even be a thing if it wasn't for my grandad Preston Epps who originally made Bongorock in 1959. The Bongo Band covered my grandads song.

It's crazy, I thought I knew all of the details of this story... then this video blew my mind. Great job- subscribed!

CAP'N GEECH AND THE SHRIMP SHACK SHOOTERS!!! "Shrimp Shack" is a classic. Remember when they were in that movie Weekend at Party Pier?

Wonderful video! I loved "The Thing With 2 Heads", they used to show it frequently on late-nite TV in Cleveland. I haven't seen it in years and forgot that this song was in the movie. R.I.P. Jim Gordon.

Happy Birthday Hip Hop! I remember staying up late to watch that movie on ABC's Million Dollar Movie when I was a kid. Thanks for the vid and keep 'em coming bro! 👊🏽👍🏽

MY DUDE!!!! YOU BE BLESSING US! THANK YOU!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🔥🔥🔥

The first crossfader mixer the GLI 3800 didn't come out till 1974 and the version of Technics turntables that all Djs use didn't come out till 1979, what and how was he bringing the records back and forth at his party in 73.

amazing music history essay, sir!! & with that joseph campbell reference... come on, now!! so good!! bravo!!

I don’t have a clue why YT fed me this video but I’m glad they did because I thoroughly enjoyed it and your delivery. Excellent work!

great story telling, (Im new to your channel) I enjoyed the research and delivery of the history of this beat

Aye, I'm late to the party but I had to shout out your thought process on your segway into the next videos. It always seems to draw me into the next one 👍🏿

working on a project on hip hop and this was super helpful! thanks man :)

Lucky me, I found this channel. Looks amazing, cant wait to watch more videos!

I really liked your video! Funny enough I own the same make/model of motorcycle (71 Kawasaki F8 Bison) that’s ridden in The Man With Two Heads… which is how I knew about the movie as soon as you gave its spot-on description lol. It was a neat connection to make: the movie; the bongos, and the bike. The way a single sample persists is incredible, especially since it came from a cover of a cover of a… etc.

I love that thing you do here on your channel. Keep up the good work.

Love your videos bro! Hip hop has made some major contributions all over the world. Appreciate your channel and all of your good content. #HipHop50

Merry 50th to Hip-Hop and thank you sir for your contribution to this rich culture. Your content is fire!

Man I love your videos. Wish I had a friend like you to explain music…and random life things

"The ONeaters!" Great piece here. I learned some more to soak up today. Thank you!

King Ericsson has a cameo in the James Bond flick “Dr. No” in the band.

One-derful references in this one. Loving That thing you do with these stories man!

Man, You have some crazy Output going an. AS a Fan I really appreciate it. Helps getting trought another Night Shift 😇

This was the most interesting "50 years of Hip Hop" video I've seen so far. Thanks!

Brandon, I am binging on your fun, informative, journalistic, passionate vlogs tonight!

Great Video Thanks!!!! I'm a hip hop head at the age 58 from the Midwest. I used to dj and have my 1200s and crates of vinyl lol!

Captain Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters are one of my favorite bands, right after the Oneders. Love the video, keep doing that thing you do.

Love the staging of your videos and the story telling. I was hoping for a demo of Herc’s merry go round technique. I’ve never been able to find it demo’d.

Great story. Thanks for the effort you put into this deep dive.

Nice video. Enjoyed the story composition and tie in and the history.

You had me doing the call and response part to my TV. 😂

I've been listening to the Bongo band lately on RU-vid to reminisce. Great history lesson....thank you.

Man, I love how digging brings out the oddest records. I assume at some point you’ll break out the story of Pete Rock and the Tom Scott sample Today which is just a phenomenal record in itself and cover. It’s one a lot of people in the channel but to quote MC Shan, “you love to hear the story, again and again” and I’m sure you’d be able to give a good narrative structure.

The apache sample is also used a lot in drum and bass music. Another banger my guy keep on being legendary!

I do appreciate the background, but I’ll admit. I was waiting to hear not only the original, but also the remix or at least a sample of the bongos from the chase scene. Still great content. Thanks for sharing

Sad about Jim Gordon. His discography is amazing. I remember becoming aware of him in the liner notes of Beatles’ solo albums

You, doin that thing you dooooo! Great vid as usual bro

happy 50th to hip hop! another great video as always!!

This beat is a staple in uk DnB as well. The song is also cover of The Shadow’s Apache….who would have thought!?

Man, your videos are just dope✊🏼 Thanx

Thanks for reminding me, I have to re-watch Joseph Campbell's PBS interview on mythology. Happy Birthday, Hip-Hop😊

There was a person who done Apache before the Shads though, it's Bert Weedon, Weedon's version release later although record earlier than the Shadows at least a month, but if a point of who made it rock, yeah it's Shads. Note : The drum intro was actually Chinese drum and did by Cliff Richard

This content is pure gold. Happy birthday Hip Hop ❤️

Awsome content. Thanks so much. Regards from Cabo Verde Islands.

thanks for the excellent explanation. subscribed

Wow! I learnt sumptin! Amazing music history! Thanks for the video!

I am amazed at how you managed to stretch two bits of info into a 12 minute stretch!

"We're not The Wonders, we're Captain Geech and the Shrimpshack Shooters" ... Good news guys... Ya get to keep the wardrobe.

The almighty algorithm brought me here for the hip-hop, but then I run into a Captain Geech reference from That Thing You Do? You earned your sub and like today, sir! ❤

I can’t speak for others but I was totally supporting during the video and responded to the hiphop calls. 😎

feels like saturday morning cartoons keep up the content mane

A creative way to express and explain details of unknown origins to most enthusiasts of how what early hip hop iz steel real. I think this quote is worth samplin' lol

Thanks for the awesome and informative video! I have the 7" single of Bongolia / Bongo Rock, I never knew the backstory though. Also my Incredible Bongo Band album sleeve is white, not silver. Interesting stuff!

Happy 50 years Hiphop! Awesome to see this awesome music genre grow into a culture that impacted and changed the world forever and now it’s half a century old! Happy 50th anniversary to Hip-hop!

Love the videos. BTW Apache was original released by Bert Weedon (Top Rank International JAR-415 1960) and later by The Shadows

I did not know JG played drums on that, thank you. I have listened to this since before the internet lol. Know How by Young MC had a nice bass line put to the drums, slams 🎉

well done thx! "sample this!" is also a great documentary about this

Shout out to loving the story my man. We appreciate you ❤️

Timmy Tim member of Kool Herc's Herculoids found this record Incredible Bongo Band - Bongo Rock including the track Apache in 1974 and hand it over to Kool Herc to play this at the block/Park Parties. The crowd get wild, especially the B-Boys and later DJ's such as Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa and Grand Wizard use this record too to mix/cut. Kool Herc remove the label of the record, so no one knows at the beginning what the record name was. Apache by the Incredible Bongo Band is a Hip Hop anthem. If you want to know more about the Incredible Bongo Band, watch this,great documentary "Sample This".

I'm not even into Hip Hop, but the algorithm sent me here and I really enjoyed your concise story telling, and even the rhythm of your delivery. Some of your narration even sounded like MC-ing to me. Do you rap?

Just watched a video on the thong song and definitely recommended you cover it. This song is so iconic for being funny but has a new found respect for the musical genius behind the beat.

Apache ! One of my favorite tracks . I literally found a 10 hour remix of it on You Tube .

Omfg the Captain Geech reference had me rolling! "Hey! That's the O-Neders!"

I'm 47 ys old. I remember the begining of Hip-Hop. I remember mixtapes of the REAL ROXANE! I love your channel. Cheers!

King Errickson also had a disco hit named 'Have A Nice Day' that became it's own classic hip-hop sample. Used by Roxanne Shante'.

Happy Born Day, Hip-Hop! Keep doin' yo thang for many mo' years on this earth! 🎉