Who Flipped This Bobby Caldwell Sample Better?

Question posed by authority member Sunny D, who flipped this Bobby Caldwell sample better?  Sittin Alone, by Little Brother and produced by Phonte and Nottz, uses a ‘familiar’ tune, for those of us who are true hip hop heads. Years ago, Dilla (rip) took his phenomenal hands and turned out a true classic to this day, with Common on the track, “the Light”.

Real quick if you have not heard it, check out Sittin Alone – by Little Brother

While this is not a ‘track review’, this song is a banger. I’m not sure they ‘should’ have started the song out the way they did. It almost takes you ‘back’ to The light immediately. Then you realize this sample is going in an entirely different, but pleasant direction. Again, a banger, but was this Bobby Caldwell sample used ‘as well’ as J. Dilla did it?

Sittin Alone, is a dope song … very well done … a clean head nodder …

However, both me and Sunny D agree, that it still does not come close to the classic. The ‘content’ of the songs makes The Light stand apart, by leaps and bounds. Starting with the actual hook they use, from the Bobby Caldwell sample, “there is a light that shines” – from Open Your Eyes.

… Matched up with Common delivering a true ‘love song’ over a hip hop beat like no one else can, and discussing the ‘joys’ a good relationship can bring a man, this is really not a contest.

I never knew a luh, luh-luh, a love like this
Gotta be somethin’ for me to write this
Queen, I ain’t seen you in a minute
Wrote this letter, and finally decide to send it
Signed, sealed, delivered, for us to grow together
Love has no limit, let’s spend it slow forever
I know your heart is weathered by what studs did to you
I ain’t gon’ assault them, ‘cause I probably did it too
Because of you, feelings I handle with care
Some niggas recognize the light
But they can’t handle the glare

• Common, The Light

 

.. The Light, is actually one of my favorite songs. So I’m actually very bias when it comes to this conversation. I like Sittin Alone, hearing it for the first time earlier tonight. While, a good song, I don’t see it having the ‘lasting power’ that The Light, by Common has had. The production by J. Dilla, years later, is still untouchable.

But, as to the discussion of ‘who sampled’ the song better … I noticed Kendrick Lamar ‘also’ used ‘parts’ of Open your Eyes, for … R.O.T.C. (right on time conscious) – an Interlude off the 2010 album, Overly Dedicated.

You’ll see, however, the featured artist BJ The Chicago Kid, basically ‘tries’ to live up to that Bobby Caldwell vocal; he tried.

Common, J. Dilla and “The Light” still wins …

Do you agree with us? Sound off below!