He Played The Most Famous Drum Beat Ever… Then Got Nothing
November 20, 1969.
James Brown records “Funky Drummer” with Clyde Stubblefield—and what happens in that session becomes the most sampled drum break of all time.
But what makes this groove so powerful? Is it the ghost notes on the snare? The subtle hi-hat openings? Or the human feel that machines still can’t replicate?
In this episode, we break down how Clyde’s feel, touch, and musical instincts created a drum part that became the foundation of hip-hop.
If you’ve ever wondered why this beat shows up in over 2,000 songs, this video reveals how one drummer changed music forever… and the heartbreaking story behind it: despite shaping the sound of modern music, Clyde Stubblefield was paid almost nothing for his contribution.
This is the story of "Funky Drummer".
Kick, Snare, Hat (New Ash Soan Course)
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Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:27 - Welcome To 1969!
01:21 - The James Brown Band & Funk Origins
01:55 - Who Is Clyde Stubblefield?
02:12 - Double Drums!
03:50 - Recording "Funky Drummer"
04:23 - Breaking Down The "Funky Drummer" Beat
05:53 - Sampling & Why This Beat Worked
07:09 - Songs That Sampled "Funky Drummer"
07:24 - Why Clyde Didn't Get Paid
11:46 - The Legacy
12:15 - Why "Funky Drummer" Matters To Drummers
15:24 - Final Thoughts
16:21 - What's On The Table?
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