Taken during the performance of "Good Times" when Nile invited members of the audience to dance on stageI had the pleasure of witnessing stone cold legend Nile Rodgers last night for the second time in 12 months. If you claim to know and love music, but thought "Who?" be ashamed.
I'll call 'em Nile and Chic because I'm not sure how many of the others are from the original line-up. The concert was full-packed of hits which have all stood the test of time (three decades), played incredibly well on stage, accompanied by two magnificent (and flippin' HOT!) singers in Falumi (I think that's how you spell it) and Kimberly Davis.
Nile Rodgers isn't only the guitarist and founding member of Chic, he's a songwriter and producer of hits along with co-founding member Bernard Edwards (RIP). When I say hits, I mean classic hits that have lasted decades. And on top of those hits have been other massive hits. I dread to think about the amount of money he sees from royalties from to samples.
I'm going to drop a few examples of in this post, let the people dem know what's going on out here.
Chic - Chic Cheer
Lifted from Chic's second studio album C'est Chic released in 1978.
Instantly recongisable from the first guitar riff. It is of course Fatman Scoop "Be Faithful" (won't embed because I hate that song), but originally Faith Evans - Love Like This
Chic - Good Times
"It was first recorded by their band Chic, for their 1979 album Risqué. In August of that year, it became the band's second number one single on both the Billboard Hot 100 and soul singles chart."
Has been sampled a fair few times including a UK garage song I can't remember the name of. Most notably, however, as the bed for hip hop's first hit, Sugarhill Gang - Rappers Delight
They took us on a journey through hits he's written for others.
Diana Ross - I'm Coming Out
First one up is Diana Ross' 1980 hit mentioned above.
Sampled by Puffy and the Hit Squad (Stevie J?) for Notorious BIG ft. Ma$e and Puff Daddy - Mo' Money Mo' Problems
Diana Ross - Upside Down
Another Diana Ross hit (her only other hit I know post-Motown). "Fact" from Wiki "[Chic wrote Upside Down with] Aretha Franklin in mind to record. When Franklin turned down the offer to record the album Motown passed the material and project to Ross."
Sampled by Puffy (again) for MC Lyte ft. Missy Elliott - Cold Rock a Party. BANGER!!! Reminds me of The Box in about 1996. Jheeeze! What a swing. Haven't heard this in time (I'm listening right now).
David Bowie - Let's Dance
One of the most recognisable David Bowie songs (well to me anyway) "Let's Dance" was performed by the drummer last night.
Sampled by, yep, you've guessed it, Puffy for himself ft. Nototious BIG & Ma$e - Been Around The World on his 1997 "Victory" album.
Sister Sledge - He's The Greatest Dancer
I love Sister Sledge something else. Effortless regular singers.
Everyone loved Will Smith - Gettin' Jiggy With It
Chic - Soup For One
Probably the lowest response for a song last night as it wasn't a hit.
But the reason for it's performance is the sample. In my opinion Modjo "Lady" is the only song in this post that is hands down better than the original.
Bonus
Separately from the samples bit, here's footage I recorded of them performing my favourite song of the night (it isn't a Chic song per sé but hey...)
Sister Sledge - Thinking of You (live)
Another song they performed that he wrote was Madonna's "Like A Virgin", but this Madonna song produced by him and Bernard is a favourite of mine
Thank you Nile Rodgers
p.s. The above pictures are mine. Don't thieve it or I'll come for you keyboard warrior style
You forgot The Reflex by Durran Durran, his first mainstream hit and the groups first ever UK No 1. Yep, Nile Rodgers is a true legend and really changed the face of music.
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