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Avenue Rap Samples Pt. 2

Image Info: Echoes of Indiana Avenue host Herman Butch Slaughter stands on Indiana Avenue in front of the Madam Walker Theatre. Photo credit: Jes Nijjer

Avenue Rap Samples Pt. 2

February 11, 2022

This week we’ll continue our ongoing look at the use of Indiana Avenue music samples in hip-hop. The music of Avenue artists has been sampled by some of the biggest names in rap music, including Kanye West, Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, and others. Through sampling, these artists have introduced the music of the Avenue to new generations of music fans around the globe.

 

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James Moody and the jazz masters of Indiana Avenue
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James Moody and the jazz masters of Indiana Avenue
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Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of legendary jazz saxophonist and flutist James...

Naptown musicians on King Records
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Naptown musicians on King Records
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Ahead of the new PBS documentary, “King of Them All: The Story of King Records,”...

The Bebop Society of Indianapolis
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The Bebop Society of Indianapolis
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Listen to an hour of music celebrating the legacy of The Bebop Society of Indianapolis. Hear...

Celebrating the music of Naptown bassist Heavy Swain – Part 3
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Celebrating the music of Naptown bassist Heavy Swain – Part 3
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This is the final episode in our three-part series celebrating the work of the bass player...

Celebrating the music of Naptown bassist Heavy Swain – Part 2
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Celebrating the music of Naptown bassist Heavy Swain – Part 2
September 14, 2025

This is the second episode in our three-part series celebrating the work of the bass player...

Celebrating the music of Naptown bassist Heavy Swain – Part 1
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Celebrating the music of Naptown bassist Heavy Swain – Part 1
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Celebrate the work of the bass player Leonard Wilson Swain Jr., better known as “Heavy”...

The legendary Naptown gospel keyboardist Ezra Bufford
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The legendary Naptown gospel keyboardist Ezra Bufford
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Listen to an interview with the legendary Indianapolis gospel keyboardist Ezra Bufford, known...

Oscar Peterson and the masters of Indiana Avenue jazz
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Oscar Peterson and the masters of Indiana Avenue jazz
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August of 2025 marks the 100th birthday of the late jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. Listen to...

The history of Rodney Stepp’s legendary Naptown funk band Rapture – Part 2 
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The history of Rodney Stepp’s legendary Naptown funk band Rapture – Part 2 
August 17, 2025

Listen to the final episode in our two-part series exploring the music of Rapture, a legendary...

The history of Rodney Stepp’s legendary Naptown funk band Rapture – Part 1
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The history of Rodney Stepp’s legendary Naptown funk band Rapture – Part 1
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The keyboardist and bandleader Rodney Stepp is among the greatest living legends of the Avenue...

The music of Naptown blues pianist Honey Hill – Part 3
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The music of Naptown blues pianist Honey Hill – Part 3
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Listen to the final episode in our three-part series exploring the music of Gilbert “Honey”...

The music of Naptown blues pianist Honey Hill – Part 2
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The music of Naptown blues pianist Honey Hill – Part 2
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The second episode in our three-part series exploring the music of Gilbert “Honey”...

The music of Naptown blues pianist Honey Hill
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The music of Naptown blues pianist Honey Hill
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For the next three weeks on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, learn about the music of Gilbert “Honey”...

Remembering the vocalist and teacher Lexie Webster
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Remembering the vocalist and teacher Lexie Webster
July 13, 2025

Celebrate the life of the Indianapolis teacher and vocalist Lexie Webster, who passed away...

The music of Indiana jazz trumpeter Reunald Jones – Part 3
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The music of Indiana jazz trumpeter Reunald Jones – Part 3
July 6, 2025

Listen to the final episode in our three-part series exploring the music of Reunald Jones,...

The music of Indiana jazz trumpeter Reunald Jones – Part 2
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The music of Indiana jazz trumpeter Reunald Jones – Part 2
June 29, 2025

Listen to the second episode in our three-part series exploring the music of Reunald Jones,...

The music of Indiana jazz trumpeter Reunald Jones – Part 1
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The music of Indiana jazz trumpeter Reunald Jones – Part 1
June 22, 2025

Listen to the first episode in our three-part series exploring the music of Reunald Jones,...

The musical legacy of the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA
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The musical legacy of the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA
June 15, 2025

In April of 2025, a new Indiana state historical marker was placed in the Indiana Avenue neighborhood...

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