James Brown's I Got You (I Feel Good)

James Brown · 1965

“Two minutes and forty-five seconds, one chord, the whole future of funk and hip-hop in the seam.”

May 6, 1965, Criteria Studios, Miami. James Brown changes the rhythmic emphasis of popular music — the One — and pop never goes back. The track also contains the horn stab that will be sampled into the foundation of hip-hop. You don't get Public Enemy without this song. You don't get Outkast. You don't get Kendrick.