The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriter of record via Jerry Lordan’s composition, no dispute found — the Sugarhill Gang’s 1981 official cover of the Incredible Bongo Band arrangement (both already in this catalog).
Quick Facts
Released1981
Album8th Wonder
GenreHip-Hop
LabelSugar Hill Records
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriter of record — Jerry Lordan (via the original composition)
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — Sugar Hill Records; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Unknown · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
It is itself a cover — of the Incredible Bongo Band’s Apache (already in this catalog), by way of Jerry Lordan’s original composition (also in this catalog).
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriter of record and no dispute found.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
The specific arrangement this covers (already in this catalog)
The original 1960 composition beneath it all (this batch)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Jerry Lordan (original composition)
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
A deliberate cover of the Bongo Band arrangement, not the Shadows original
This was a direct, deliberate cover of the specific Incredible Bongo Band arrangement (bongo intro, added percussion) rather than a fresh interpretation of Jerry Lordan’s 1960 composition — reflecting how thoroughly the Bongo Band’s version had become the definitive hip-hop-era touchstone by 1981. No lyrics reproduced.
Music Fandom Wiki · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
A cover of the Incredible Bongo Band’s Apache
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
AP
Jerry Lordan (estate) / Sugar Hill Records
The confirmed songwriter of record via the original composition
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 11)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass