Singer-songwriter Bill Withers passed away Friday morning (April 3) due to heart complications, The Associated Press confirmed in a statement from Withers’ family. He was 81. The West Virginia native was renowned for his numerous soulful hits in the 70’s, which included “Just the Two of Us,” “Lovely Day,” “Lean on Me,” and more.
The soul legend won three Grammy Awards during his career and Questlove‘s even called him the “closest thing black people have to a Bruce Springsteen.” Withers’ impact is still felt in the music world today, as his discography’s DNA has seeped into just about every genre through interpolations and hidden samples.
With artists ranging from Kanye West to DMX and Shawn Mendes all paying homage to the late singer in one way or another, here are 15 songs that sample Bill Withers.
Kanye West, “Roses”/ Sample – “Rosie”
Travis Scott, “90210”/ Sample – “Kissing My Love”
Blackstreet (feat. Dr. Dre & Queen Pen) – “No Diggity” / Sample – “Grandma’s Hands”
Eminem, “’97 Bonnie & Clyde” / Sample – “Just the Two of Us”
Will Smith, “Just the Two of Us”/ Sample – “Just the Two of Us”
Joe Budden, “The Future” Featuring The Game/ Sample – “Don’t You Want to Stay”
2Pac, “Soulja’s Story”/ Sample – “Ain’t No Sunshine”
DMX, “No Sunshine”/ Sample – “Ain’t No Sunshine”
Shawn Mendes, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” Featuring Camila Cabello/ Sample – “Ain’t No Sunshine”
Pusha T, “Arm Piece” Featuring Pharrell/ Sample – “Who Is He (And What Is He to You)?”
Cam’ron, “Horse & Carriage”/ Sample – “Who is He (And What Is He to You)?”
James Blake, “Radio Silence”/ Sample – “Hope She’ll Be Happier”
Big Daddy Kane, “Rap Summary”/ Sample – “Lean On Me”
Logic, “Under Pressure”/ Sample – “Use Me”
Kendrick Lamar – “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst”/ Sample – “Use Me”
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