Song Clearance Sheet
6 sources citedRapture
New Wave1980s107BPM
B minKey
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The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriters of record (Harry & Stein), no dispute found — the first rap song to top the Hot 100, its bassline inspired by Chic’s “Good Times” and lyrically name-checking Fab 5 Freddy of “Change the Beat,” both already in this catalog.
Quick Facts
Released1981
AlbumAutoamerican
GenreNew Wave, Rap
LabelChrysalis Records
ProducerMike Chapman
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriters of record — Debbie Harry & Chris Stein
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — originally Chrysalis; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Unknown · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
Yes — KRS-One sampled Harry’s vocal wail for “Step Into a World”; a reggaeton hit sampled the bassline. Its own bassline draws on Chic’s “Good Times” (already in this catalog).
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriters of record and no dispute found.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
Its bassline was inspired by this song (already in this catalog)
Lyrically name-checks Fab 5 Freddy, whose “Change the Beat” is already in this catalog
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Debbie Harry & Chris Stein
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
Basquiat stood in for a no-show Grandmaster Flash
Grandmaster Flash, name-checked in the lyrics, didn’t show up on the day of the video shoot — so artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, then still largely unknown, stepped in behind the turntables in his place. Fab 5 Freddy (of “Change the Beat,” already in this catalog) appears painting graffiti and taught Harry and the band about the hip-hop scene. No lyrics reproduced.
Alchetron / DJ History · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
The first rap #1; bassline from Chic’s “Good Times”
Covers
—
First flip
Big names who used itKRS-One
Who to Contact
RA
Debbie Harry & Chris Stein (Chrysalis)
The confirmed songwriters of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
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References
Every source cited on this page — 6 in total
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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