There isn't really a methodology to this except I researched and tried to find as many hip-hop songs that I could that sampled a video game (Thanks to HaterPlayer and the Digital Gangsters for their help!). Songs that only had soundbites, like a "Fatality!" or a Mario coin drop, weren't considered. I wanted songs where the sample played throughout. And of course the song had to be dope. Dope production and use of the sample, plus dope lyrics. Plain and simple. Am I out of line for my choices? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
DISCLAIMER: By the way, most of the songs have cursing and are not safe for work or your children's ears!!
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10. YtCracker Meganerd (Sample: Mega Man III) ytCracker is like the ringleader for this new genre of hip-hop called Nerdcore. In 2005, he released an album called N.E.S. (Nerd Entertainment System) that sampled nothing but old Nintendo games. The song, Meganerd, pretty much became an anthem for nerds all around the world. I cant front, I like it.
9. Bone Thugs N Harmony Eternal (Sample: Eternal Champions) This song was buried on Bones multi-platinum album, E. 1999 Eternal. You know, the album that had Tha Crossroads on it? Anyway, they sampled Eternal Champions, a Sega fighting game from the early 90s that tried to capitalize on the success of Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat and Fatal Fury. I dont remember it being that good.
8. Beanie Sigel Mac Man (Sample: Ms. Pac-Man) Beanie Sigels Mac Man, was also an underground hit back in the late 90s and became one of the most wanted underground singles on the streets. It was sort of an introduction of Beanie to the hip-hop world, showcasing why he was a new force to be reckoned with. And he was never sued by Namco for using the Ms. Pac-Man sample. It appeared on his 2000 debut album, The Truth, but was never released as single.
7. Smif n Wessun (aka Cocoa Brovas) Super Brooklyn (Sample: Super Mario Bros. Theme) From the start you can tell its from Super Mario Bros. Released in 2000 as part of the Game Over compilation, Super Brooklyn, was an underground hit. Smif n Wessun, still performing under the Cocoa Brovas moniker, used the hit to give themselves a resurgence in the hip-hop scene and its been one of their most requested songs on tour.
6. Lil Flip Game Over (Sample: Ms. Pac-Man) Back in 2003, Houston rapper Lil Flip had a monstrous hit with Game Over, a song that sampled Ms. Pac-Man. From the thumping beat to the hypnotic, brainwashing chant of Flip, Flip, Flip, in the chorus, you couldnt get away from it for awhile. Then he was sued by Namco, the owners of Ms. Pac-Man, for a cool $10 million. It was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
5. Eminem, J-Black, Masta Ace Hellbound (Sample: Soul Caliber) This track was recorded right after Eminem dropped the Slim Shady LP and right before the Marshall Mathers LP was released. The Soul Caliber sample is actually called Cervantes Theme. It was featured on the Game Over compilation as well. As you can tell, Eminem was hungry. I have no idea where J-Black is now, but Masta Ace is still killing it with his group, eMC.
4. Tonedeff Round Em Up (Sample: Kid Icarus) The funny thing with this song, Tonedeff has disowned it. Not sure if the Kid Icarus sample was what he wanted, but it sounds good to me. It was featured on the Game Over II compilation in 2001 and after it was released, Tone said that the label manhandled the original song resulting to this song. I dug the song since day one, but Tone said this doesnt represent his sound at all.
3. Oh No The Ride (Sample: Castlevania III) Oh No is one of the great producer/artists on the Stones Throw Records imprint. Thing is, I have two Oh No albums and this song isnt on either of them. I think it was just one of Stones Throw's infamous 12s that appeared on some obscure compilation album somewhere. What Im impressed with is the way he flipped that Castlevania intro, too fresh. CORRECTION: Apparently the song appears on Oh No's album, The Disrupt. I guess I missed that one. Thanks Quan!
2. Percee P ft. Diamond D 2 Brothers From the Gutter (Sample: Contra) I met Percee P once when he was selling his CDs outside of Fat Beats in New York City. He was always a beast on the mic. When he finally got his deal with Stones Throw Records to release his album, Perseverance, he went all out and this song, with the legendary Diamond D, was one of the best tracks on the album. The Contra sample comes from the start screen of the game and is just looped over the beat. Its hypnotic.
1. Random Shadowman (Sample: Mega Man 3) Last year Random released an entire album, Mega Ran, where he sampled a Mega Man tune in every song. I heard he was inspired by ytCrackers N.E.S. album, but nevertheless, Shadowman was the one that stuck out to me the most. The beat is banging and Random absolutely rips it apart.
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Other joints considered:
Green Lantern feat. Kool G Rap, Prinz "We Gs" (Sample: Final Fantasy VII)
Charles Hamilton - "Where's my Genesis" (Sample: Sonic the Hedgehog)
Statik Selektah feat. Bug Shug Punch Out (Sample: Mike Tysons Punch Out)
U.N.I. Castlevania (Sample: Castlevania)
Jedi Mind Tricks The Wolf (Sample: Max Payne)
Del the Funky Homosapien feat. Khaos Unique Protoculture (Sample: Darkstalkers)
CamRon Troublemakers (Sample: Final Fantasy VII)
