Song Clearance Sheet
2 sources citedRock Steady
See all Aretha Franklin in the catalogue →
Funk1970s104BPM
G majKey
More around 100 BPM → · More in G major →
Tempo/key via GetSongBPM →, Deezer →
The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriter of record (Aretha Franklin, sole credit), no dispute found, 100+ documented samples — and a rare, confirmed case of the original artist personally curating her own sample legacy (declining to clear anything with curse words).
Sampled 100+ times
Quick Facts
Released1971
AlbumYoung, Gifted and Black
GenreFunk, Soul
LabelAtlantic Records
ProducerJerry Wexler · Arif Mardin · Tom Dowd
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriter of record — Aretha Franklin (sole credit)
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — likely Franklin’s estate; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
The Boombox → · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Yes — sampled 100+ times (Public Enemy, EPMD, Dr. Dre, Bobby Brown) — but note Franklin personally declined to clear anything with curse words (Rights Status).
Do they allow reuse?
Selectively — Franklin personally curated clearances during her lifetime, notably refusing songs with curse words.
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Aretha Franklin (sole credit)
Franklin personally curated her own sample legacyFranklin was personally selective about who could sample her music during her lifetime — specifically refusing to clear any song containing curse words, a direct, values-based exercise of control over her legacy. Clearance likely runs through her estate.
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
Extensive sample legacy, on one of funk’s great drum breaks
Sampled 100+ times — Public Enemy’s “Night of the Living Baseheads,” EPMD’s “I’m Housin’,” Dr. Dre’s “Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat,” Bobby Brown’s “Humpin’ Around.” Bernard Purdie, “the world’s most-recorded drummer,” considered this break a high-water mark of funk drumming.
The Boombox · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
100+
Times sampled
A Bernard Purdie funk-drumming landmark
Covers
—
First flip
Big names who used itPublic Enemy · EPMD · Dr. Dre
Who to Contact
RS
Aretha Franklin (estate)
The confirmed songwriter — who personally curated her sample clearances
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
Don't Want the Hassle?
Sample something pre-cleared insteadCheck Tracklib →
Find a similar sound that's 100% freeBrowse the catalog →
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 9)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass