Hip Hop Soul by DJ Tarek: 46 tracks, three hours, hiding behind every beat

Think hip-hop and R&B live in a different world from yours?

Press play on this set and count how many times your record crate shows up.

DJ Tarek runs 46 tracks over 3 hours 1 minute, from Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick to Beyoncé, by way of The Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac, Aaliyah, Usher, Brandy, Busta Rhymes and Method Man with Redman.

New jack swing, hip hop soul, East and West Coast rap, 2000s R&B: it all flows without ever sounding like a limp playlist.

The links to your world:

• Express Yourself by N.W.A (1988) takes elements from Express Yourself by Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band (1970). Go listen to the original right after.
• Hypnotize by The Notorious B.I.G. (1997) is built on Rise by Herb Alpert (1979), borrows lyrics from La Di Da Di by Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick (1985, which is also in the set) and the vocals from Da Doo Ron Ron by The Crystals (1963). Three eras in a single hit.

Why is it worth your three hours?

Because spotting a loop you’ve already met on a record from 1970 or 1979 is exactly what makes a digger’s heart jump.

Press play, note the first sample you recognise, and drop it in the comments.

Volume 2 is already online if you want more.

Listen to the set 
The live radio: radiofunk.fr