VF Mix 103: Kool G Rap by Omertà Inc.

From Kraftwerk to Funkadelic, take a journey through the samples behind one of hip-hop’s great lyricists.

A pioneer of mafioso rap with some of the slickest runs in the business, Kool G Rap’s influence on hip-hop needs little introduction. Credited as providing the “blueprint for Nas, Biggie and everyone who followed”, G Rap’s breakthrough with DJ Polo came in 1989 when Cold Chillin’ Records released their seminal debut LP Road to the Riches.

Now reissued on vinyl for the first time since its original release by London-based hip-hop label Omertà Inc., Road to the Riches not only showcased G rap’s virtuoso flow, but shone a light on Marly Marl’s game-changing approach to sampling, dropping in synth-heavy anthems like Gary Numan’s ‘Cars’ or Kraftwerk’s ‘Trans-Europe Express’ under G Rap’s hard-hitting observations about life in NYC.

To mark the release, Omertà Inc. have traced the samples in Kool G Rap’s catalogue for VF Mix 103, which ducks and dives from Kraftwerk to Sade, Funkadelic and beyond. Dig in below.

Tracklist:

1. Kraftwerk – Trans Europe Express
2. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo – Rhymes I Express
3. Gary Numan – Cars
4. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo – Cars
5. Madonna – Vogue
6. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo – Go For Your Guns
7. Sade – Ordinary Love
8. Shirley Bassey – Diamonds are Forever
9. Kool G Rap (feat Ma Baker) – Ordinary Love
10. Shirley Bassey – Diamonds are Forever
11. Joe Williams – Get Out Of My Life woman
12. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo – Ill Street Blues
13. Funkadelic – Mommy, What’s a Funkadelic?
14. Kool G Rap (feat Scarface, Ice Cube & Bushwick Bill) – Two to the Head
15. James brown – Can I get Some Help?
16. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo – Play it Cool
17. Scarface monologue
18. Surface – Happy
19. Kool G Rap (feat Nas) – Fast Life
20. Kool G Rap (feat Capone N Noreaga) – This is My Life
21. Giorgio Moroder – Colombia

Omerta Inc. will reissue Kool G Rap and DJ Polo’s Road to the Riches in two editions. The first, limited to 300 copies, will be on yellow vinyl with purple and blue splatter available exclusively through the label’s online shop. The second appears on split blue and yellow vinyl and will be available in record stores from 27th October. Get yours here.