Mary J. Blige: “Share My World”
This 1997 R&B hit samples the DeBarge slow jam of the same name from 1981.
Da Brat feat. T-Boz – “Ghetto Love”
This very sexy and feisty 1996 track borrows from one of DeBarge’s best songs 1982’s “All This Love”.
Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z – “That’s How You Like It”
“I Like It” also makes an appearance at about the 1:26 mark in this 2003 collaboration from future husband and wife Beyonce and Jay-Z.
2Pac – “I Ain’t Mad at Cha”
Shakur’s sampling of the 1983 DeBarge classic “A Dream” may be one of the most celebrated appropriations in hip-hop history.
The Notorious B.I.G. feat. Faith Evans – “One More Chance (Remix)”
This songs heavy use of the classic DeBarge cut “Stay With Me” may just be the best sample from this iconic R&B group.
Ashanti – “Dreams”
Ashanti does her best to do justice to this lovely 1983 ballad of the same name from DeBarge’s most beloved album In A Special Way.
Blackstreet – “Lord Is Real (Time Will Reveal)”
This 1996 song is essentially a straight cover of the original song — with a lot more religious spoken word dogma injected in it.
Mariah Carey feat. T.I. – “I’ll Be Lovin’ U Long Time (Remix)”
Mariah and T.I. put a fresh spin on the song “Stay With Me” from In A Special Way/
LL Cool J – “Make It Hot”
This underrated gem of LL’s comeback album Mr. Smith has one big chunk of “I Like It” in it.
Rihanna – “There’s a Thug in My Life”
One of Ri-Ri’s earlier songs, this sweet ballad features beats from DeBarge’s “A Dream”.
Wale – “The Problem”
One of the newest rappers to get into the classic DeBarge sampling game, Wale borrows from El DeBarge’s timeless vocal on “All This Love”.
Blackstreet – “Don’t Leave Me”
Blackstreet strikes again with this 90s hit which again sampled “A Dream”.
DeBarge’s best songs play like a soundtrack to the 1980s. But this R&B supergroup’s legacy has lasted far beyond its initial inception thanks to numerous soul and hip-hop acts that followed in their footsteps. In some cases the songs that sampled DeBarge hits grew more famous than the originals. To coincide with the release of DeBarge lead singer El DeBarge highly anticipated comeback album Second Chance, here’s a look at some famous tracks that took advantage of DeBarge beats.
