Stax Records to reveal The Soul of Hip Hop

Published at 1:30 PM on March 4, 2009

By Liz Stinson

Listen to any influential hip-hop artist from the last few decades, and you'll hear it: the familiar hook that you swear you've heard before. Chances are, you probably have.

Hip-hop artists have long payed homage to their soul-music roots through samples in their songs. Now Stax Records is celebrating its reputation as a sampling mainstay with the release of The Soul of Hip Hop, Volume I. The 14-track compilation, which features hits from Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & The MGs, The Dramatics and more, will be released March 31 by the recently re-born label.

Track list:

1. "Ghetto: Misfortune's Wealth" - 24 Carat Black

2. "Blind Alley" - The Emotions

3. "Melting Pot" - Booker T. & The MGs

4. "Humpin" - The Bar-Kays

5. "Get Up and Get Down" - The Dramatics

6. "Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymsitic" - Isaac Hayes

7. "Hung Up On My Baby" - Isaac Hayes

8. "I'm Afraid the Masquerade Is Over" - David Porter

9. "After the Laughter (Comes Tears)" - Wendy Rene

10. "As Long As I've Got You" - Charmels

11. "Why Marry" - The Sweet Inspirations