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sjrbss

Swiss Journal of Research in Business and Social Sciences

Music

Samples from Roy Ayers’ ‘Everybody Loves the Sunshine’: 21 Tracks

The music industry is in mourning for Roy Ayers, widely celebrated as the Godfather of Neo-Soul and a groundbreaking jazz-funk pioneer. He passed away at the age of 84 on March 4, but his influence will resonate deeply within the hip-hop community, where he has left an indelible mark as one of its most significant inspirations.

One of the defining tracks of Ayers’ career is the timeless classic “Everybody Loves the Sunshine,” featured on his 1976 album of the same name. This song has become a cornerstone of his artistic legacy, so much so that it has been sampled nearly 200 times, as reported in The New York Times. Its infectious groove and uplifting vibe have made it a favorite among artists who seek to capture its brilliance in their own music.

In a revealing 2004 interview with Wax Poetics, Ayers proclaimed, “I have more sampled hits than anybody.” He acknowledged the possibility that he might not surpass James Brown in quantity but emphasized that his hits have been sampled extensively. “Oh, man, and there’s a few I don’t know about,” he added, showcasing his humility and excitement about his influence on the music landscape.

Among the many artists inspired by Ayers is Mary J. Blige, who sampled “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” in her iconic track “My Life” from her 1994 album of the same name. This song was later interpolated in “MJB Da MVP,” featuring 50 Cent, on her 2005 album The Breakthrough. In her 2021 documentary My Life, Blige revealed the profound impact that Ayers’ music had on her. “I don’t know what’s in that record, but it was something in it that just cracked open everything in me,” she shared, illustrating how the music provided her an escape from her challenging childhood. “My life in the sunshine was something I wanted,” she poignantly reflected. Blige also heavily sampled Ayers’ 1976 track “Searching” on her 1997 album Share My World.

Dr. Dre, TLC, Juvenile, and Joe Budden have all created tracks titled “My Life,” while notable artists like Scarface and Naughty by Nature have produced songs named “Sunshine.” Notably, after sampling “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” on “Book of Life” from his 1994 album Resurrection, Common revisited the classic sample for his Grammy-nominated track “When the Sun Shines,” featuring Posdnuos, from his 2024 Grammy-nominated collaborative album with Pete Rock, The Auditorium Vol. 1.

Beyond the realm of sampling, Ayers collaborated with a variety of contemporary artists, enriching their music with his unique sound. He worked with Tyler, the Creator on “Find Your Wings,” featuring Syd and Kali Uchis, from Tyler’s 2015 album Cherry Bomb. He also partnered with Erykah Badu on “Cleva” from her 2000 LP Mama’s Gun; The Roots on “Proceed II” from their 2005 album Do You Want More?!!!??!; and Talib Kweli on “In the Mood,” featuring Ye (formerly known as Kanye West), from his 2007 album Eardrum, along with “Something Special” from Kweli and Madlib‘s 2024 joint LP Liberation 2.

Tyler, the Creator expressed his admiration for Ayers when he tweeted, “Roy Ayers called me like ‘Tyler, hey man, those changes are amazing, your chord selection is just beautiful my man.’ OMG MY HEART MELTED.” His appreciation for Ayers’ artistry goes beyond words, as he also sampled Ayers’ 1982 track “Ooh” on “Pothole,” featuring Jaden Smith, from his 2017 album Flower Boy. Later that year, Ayers made a memorable appearance at Tyler’s Camp Flog Gnaw festival, where Questlove honored him as “the cat who birthed us all in the ‘vibes only’ movement,” emphasizing how Ayers’ music has become synonymous with relaxation and good energy. “Thank You Roy Edward Ayers Jr for EVERYTHING you gave us, taught us, showed us, soothed us,” Questlove added.

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According to Billboard, a comprehensive roundup of 21 hip-hop and R&B songs that have sampled and interpolated Ayers’ “Everybody Loves the Sunshine” has been compiled, showcasing the track’s lasting influence on the genre. This list spans from the newest releases to the classic hits that have shaped the sound of modern music.

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