"The Champ" is a song by The Mohawks, a group of session musicians assembled by Alan Hawkshaw. It was originally released in 1968 but failed to chart. However, a re-release made #58 on the UK Singles Chart in 1987[2] after being sampled many times. The song is based on "Tramp", a 1967 Lowell Fulson record that was covered extensively after its release.[3] Specifically, it is built on Otis Redding and Carla Thomas' cover. The song chants the word "Tramp" rather than "Champ".
| "The Champ" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by The Mohawks | |
| from the album The Champ | |
| A-side | The Champ[1] |
| B-side | Sound of the Witchdoctors[1] |
| Released | 1968[1] |
| Recorded | 1968[1] |
| Genre | [1] |
| Length | 2:42 (The Champ)[1] 2:50 (Sound of the Witchdoctors)[1] |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) | Harry Palmer |
| Producer(s) | Harry Palmer |
Sampled
editThe song is perhaps better known for its usage as a sample in over 800+ songs;[4] It has been widely sampled and emulated (but not exclusively) in hip hop music. Most people who sample it either sample the chant at the beginning or the organ riff of the choruses.[5] Songs to have sampled or interpolated it include:
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g "The Mohawks – The Champ". Discogs. 1968. Retrieved 22 June 2013.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 373. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Kun, Josh (2003-03-27). "Side Tripping: Lowell Fulson's "Tramp" was such a near-perfect slice of barbecued funk when it was released in 1967 that Otis Redding and Carla Thomas covered it just four months later". LA Weekly. Retrieved 2017-06-22.
- ^ "The Mohawks Champ Sampled by Others". Whosampled.com. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ "The Most Sampled Songs of All Time". Whosampled.com. Retrieved 29 December 2016.