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February 25, 2026
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Archive/Sneakin' in the Back
JAZZ-FUNK
1974
115 BPM
Am

Sneakin' in the Back

A jazz saxophonist's funky side project that provided a smooth yet driving break for hip-hop sampling

Tom Scott
"Sneakin' in the Back"
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Tom Scott - Sneakin' in the Back
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Original Track

Tom Scott - "Sneakin' in the Back" (1974)

The original track containing the legendary 6.0-second drum break

Break occurs at 0:00 - 0:06

The History

A jazz saxophonist's funky side project that provided a smooth yet driving break for hip-hop sampling.

Tom Scott was primarily known as a jazz session musician but this funk excursion became a hip-hop classic.

The track bridged the gap between jazz sophistication and funk rhythm, creating a perfect foundation for intelligent hip-hop.

Native Tongues collective artists particularly favored this sample for its combination of musical complexity and groove.

Slick Rick's 'Mona Lisa' became one of storytelling rap's greatest achievements using this sophisticated backdrop.

The sample demonstrated how jazz-funk fusion could enhance hip-hop's artistic credibility while maintaining street appeal.

Who Sampled It

Slick Rick

"Mona Lisa"

The Great Adventures of Slick Rick

1988

Big Daddy Kane

"Warm It Up, Kane"

It's a Big Daddy Thing

1989

Gang Starr

"DJ Premier in Deep Concentration"

No More Mr. Nice Guy

1989

A Tribe Called Quest

"Push It Along"

People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm

1990

De La Soul

"Oooh."

De La Soul Is Dead

1991

💡 This breakbeat has been sampled 5 times in our database

Tags

jazz-funk
saxophone
smooth
driving

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