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Quincy Jonesthe legendary musical icon whose influence shaped the sound of generations has died aged 91. A true trailblazer, Jones' career spanned over six decades, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry and beyond. From producing Michael Jackson's iconic albums 'Off the Wall', 'Thriller' and 'Bad', to composing film scores for critically acclaimed films such as 'The Color Purple' and 'In the Heat of the Night,” Jones demonstrated unparalleled versatility and innovation. .
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Furthermore, his influence on Hip-Hop cannot be denied. As the culture transitioned from neighborhood parties and boombox speakers to a dynamic force in the mainstream, many rappers and producers drew inspiration from Jones as they made records that would resonate beyond their place on the map.
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“Young people are seekers, man! It always was.” Jones said in 2021 Revolution interview. “When we're young, we all want to break the mold and find our truth, and that's a central tenet of both jazz and classical music! After all, they all come from the same thing. I fell in love with hip hop in the late 1970s because it reminded me so much of bebop and classical strings are what elevated some of the best funk music in the world.”
The art of sampling has been a fixture within rap since its inception, so it was inevitable that the many works of Quincy Jones would be woven into the fabric of our Hip-Hop music.
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In memory of Quincy Jones and in honor of Hip-Hop History Month, we look back at 20 classic rap records that epitomized one of the most brilliant musical minds of the last century.
Hip-hop classics that used Quincy Jones
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