James Brown’s rhythmic innovations created funk and laid the foundation for hip‑hop, making him the most sampled artist in recorded music.

By emphasizing the downbeat and stripping arrangements to their groove, Brown invented a new musical language that became funk. Hip‑hop producers later dug into his records for drum breaks, turning his grooves into the backbone of countless tracks. Multiple sources cite his status as the most sampled musician, noting that his influence is heard in everything from early rap to contemporary pop.