20 songs that sampled Michael Jackson

Girl group SWV came onto the scene in 1993 with their debut album, It’s About Time. Although their single “Right Here” was a solid single, it was the remix version that set the charts ablaze. With co-production from Teddy Riley, the remix version sampled Michael Jackson’s 1982 hit track “Human Nature” and has since been a fan favorite whenever SWV performs on stage. 

In 2015, rapper Kendrick Lamar released his third album, To Pimp a Butterfly, which included his hit single “King Kunta.” On the track, he uses Jackson’s music a little bit differently than other artists on the list. Instead of a direct sample, he uses an interpolation as he raps his version of the famous lyrics “Annie, are you ok?” from Jackson’s 1987 single “Smooth Criminal.” 

One thing about Rihanna is that she knows how to release an epic dance record. It was no different in 2007 when she dropped her hit song “Don’t Stop the Music,” which featured a sample of Jackson’s 1983 single “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'.” Rihanna details how sometimes in life you just need to dance, as she sings, “It's gettin' late, I'm makin' my way over to my favorite place / I gotta get my body moving, shake the stress away.” You can then hear MJ’s sampled lyrics of “mamma-say, mama-sa, mamaku sa.”

In 1995, rapper LL Cool J released his sixth album, Mr. Smith, which was led by the hit single “Hey Lover.” Using some smooth vocals from R&B group Boyz II Men and a sweet sample of Michael Jackson’s 1982 track “Lady In My Life,” LL uses the track to describe his admiration for a potential partner. 

Monica teamed up with super producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins on her 2002 single “All Eyez On Me.” Using some of Jackson’s unused adlibs and sampling his 1983 single “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing),” Monica shows off her confidence as someone who knows how to turn heads whenever she steps into a room. 

In 2004, rapper Fabolous released his third album, Real Talk, which featured the single “Baby.” Co-written by R&B crooner Ne-Yo and using a sample of Michael Jackson’s “I Can’t Help It,” Fabolous is ready to be in a committed relationship, someone he can indeed call his “baby.” 

Kanye West was always the type of producer who would use classic samples; it was no different when he produced Jay-Z’s 2001 hit single “Izzo (H.O.V.A.). The track uses a sample of The Jackson 5’s 1969 track “I Want You Back,” as Jay reflects on his life and career. 

Chris Brown has always given his praises to his idol Michael Jackson, so it was only right that he sampled his music in one of his songs. In 2011, Brown released his fourth album F.A.M.E., which featured his hit single “She Ain’t You.” Using a sample of Jackson’s 1983 track “Human Nature,” Brown sings of how his new girlfriend doesn’t compare to his ex-partner. 

In 1992, hip-hop trio De La Soul released their third album, Buhloone Mindstate. It was led by their hit single “Breakadawn,” which featured a smooth sample of Jackson’s “I Can’t Help It,” as well as samples from Smokey Robinson’s “Quiet Storm” and The Bar-Kays' “Sang and Dance.” 

In Kanye West’s early days, he frequently sampled music from the 1970s and 1980s. It was no different on his 2007 single “Good Life,” in which he slowed down the tempo of Jackson’s “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” as the base to his song’s production. On the track, West teams up with T-Pain, detailing their lavish lives of having the finer things. 

Hip-hop duo Kris Kross came onto the scene in 1992 with the release of their debut album Totally Krossed Out. Jermaine Dupri not only signed them to his label, but he also produced their album, which included the lead single, “Jump.” The party record boasts quite a few samples across it, including The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back.” 

In 2001, the estate of the late rapper 2Pac released his third posthumous album, Until the End of Time, which featured the track “Letter 2 My Unborn.” Using a sample of Jackson’s 1987 single “Liberian Girl,” 2Pac speaks from the perspective of a father-to-be who’s ready to see his child enter the world.

In 1994, rapper Nas released his critically acclaimed album Illmatic, which featured the hit single “It Ain’t Hard to Tell.” Although the track uses a few samples, the main one comes from Jackson’s 1983 single “Human Nature,” which is what the production is built upon. 

In 2007, pop star Jennifer Lopez released her sixth album, Brave, which featured the deep cut “Gotta Be There.” Using a sample of Jackson’s single “I Wanna Be Where You Are,” Lopez gives the perspective of going through a breakup and wanting to get back with her partner. 

R&B singer Tyra B puts her feelings on full display on her 2007 single “Givin’ Me a Rush.” Using a sample of Jackson’s “Human Nature,” Trya details the emotions that come upon her when she’s around her partner, as she sings, “You're giving me a rush, rush / Everytime that you come around / And we touch, touch / I can't get enough.”

With the massive success of her debut studio album Jaguar II, Victoria Monét released a deluxe edition that included the song “1900’s.” Produced by her frequent collaborator D’Mile, the track uses a sample of Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin',” as Monét reflects on meeting someone who could be a future partner. 

Big Sean teamed up with Lil Wayne on his 2020 track “Don Life,” which samples Jackson’s 1982 “Human Nature.” While Sean and Wayne highlight details of their careers and dealing with critics, they also tend to reference Jackson’s song title within their lyrics. As Sean says in the first verse, "Getting to the paper like it's human nature / Goddamn, the more they hate us, that just motivate us / I know revenge tastes the sweetest, mmm, I'm gon' savor / I'm just sending all my graces up to my creator.”

Although the Wu-Tang Clan achieved considerable success as a group, its members also experienced solo success. In 1996, group member Ghostface Killah released his solo debut single “All That I Got Is You,” which features a sample of The Jackson 5’s “Maybe Tomorrow.” On the track, Ghostface reflects on his upbringing and the dynamics of his family. 

In 1991, rapper MC Lyte released her third album, Act Like You Know, which included the second single “Poor Georgie.” Using a sample of Jackson’s “I Wanna Be Where You Are,” Lyte gives details of the guy she met named “George.” 

In 2024, Jordin Sparks released her long-awaited fifth album, No Restrictions, which featured the deep cut “Remember.” Using a sample of Jackson’s “Remember the Time,” Sparks reflects on a relationship that has gone sour, and she’s hoping they can get back to their loving ways.