Uncovering Griselda’s Grimy Sound: 10 Standout Tracks with Rare and Obscure Samples

Rare Soul and Library Music Goldmine

From forgotten soul 45s to vintage library music, Griselda Records keeps the art of crate-digging alive. Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine, Benny the Butcher, and Boldy James have all found success riding the dusty grooves laid down by Daringer, The Alchemist, Apollo Brown, and others. These producers fearlessly flip obscure samples—some uncleared—in ways that sometimes get mixtapes pulled from streaming, but their dedication to rare sample-based production defines Griselda’s raw, street-savvy sound. Read on for a breakdown of 10 standout tracks and the hidden gems that brought them to life.

1. “Mr. T” – Westside Gunn

Producer: Apollo Brown
Album/Year: FLYGOD (2016, independent)

Original Samples:

• “Under My Wings” by The Smith Connection (1972) – Apollo Brown laid the foundation of the track by chopping and looping this tender soul ballad. The warm vocals and lush instrumentation evoke a nostalgic, heartfelt vibe that has become synonymous with many Griselda beats.
• “Show Me How” by The Emotions (1971) – Briefly appears in the outro, adding a final touch of vintage R&B flavor.

The mellow, dusty textures on “Mr. T” perfectly complement Westside Gunn’s gritty vocals, showcasing Griselda’s commitment to rare soul digging and sample-based hip-hop. As this was an indie release, these loops were likely uncleared—demonstrating how Griselda doesn’t shy away from using hard-to-clear samples in pursuit of that authentic, raw sound.

Apollo Brown Drum Kits

For producers looking to capture Apollo Brown’s signature punch and warmth, be sure to check out his official drum kits. They feature many of the percussive elements that give his beats that unmistakable dusty knock heard throughout his catalog.

2. “Niagara Café” – Westside Gunn

Producer: Sadhugold
Mixtape/Year: Hitler Wears Hermes 6 (2018)

Original Sample:

“Seacoast” by Archie Whitewater (1970) – An obscure jazz-rock instrumental. Sadhugold lifted a haunting horn and keyboard riff, looping it to set an eerie, cinematic tone. The sample’s moody 1970s vibes embody Griselda’s approach: digging into non-traditional genres to find unique sounds that most producers overlook.

3. “Connie’s Son” – Westside Gunn

Producer: King JVY B
Mixtape/Year: Hitler Wears Hermes 7 (2019)

Original Sample:

“I’ll Step Aside” by Moments of Truth (1968) – A sweet soul tune from the late ’60s, chopped and slowed down to create a dreamy but gritty loop. The melancholic melody perfectly underscores Westside Gunn’s verses. Fans often cite this as one of Griselda’s most beautiful flips, illustrating their knack for transforming rare soul cuts into hard-hitting street anthems.

4. “Lucha Bros” – Westside Gunn feat. Curren$y & Benny

Producer: The Alchemist
Album/Year: Hitler Wears Hermes 7 (2019)

Original Sample:

“A Colourful Dream” by The David Bendeth Band (1981) – A lesser-known jazz-funk piece from the early ’80s. The Alchemist, known for flipping rare samples, took the mellow saxophone and keyboard groove and repurposed it into a hazy loop. The funky bassline and airy melody create a laid-back atmosphere for Westside Gunn, Curren$y, and Benny to deliver their verses.

The result is a smooth yet gritty track that demonstrates The Alchemist’s knack for uncovering hidden gems. If you’re inspired by his production style, check out his drum break kit Break Fluid, which offers that signature dusty swing and punch heard in many of his classic beats. This kit reflects the same attention to detail and ear for unique textures that make “Lucha Bros” stand out in Griselda’s discography.

5. “The Cow” – Westside Gunn feat. Conway the Machine

Producer: Daringer
Album/Year: FLYGOD (2016)

Original Sample:

“A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers” by Van Der Graaf Generator (1971) – A 23-minute prog-rock epic from a British band. Daringer zeroed in on a chilling organ and vocal segment, looping and filtering it to craft a droning, ominous backdrop. This dramatic, mournful tone is perfect for Conway’s emotional verse about street trauma—proving that Griselda’s producers will pull from any genre if it fits their dark, gritty aesthetic.

6. “Rubber Bands & Weight” – Benny the Butcher

Producer: The Alchemist
Album/Year: Tana Talk 3 (2018)

Original Sample:

“Morgue Line Up” by John Cameron (1973) – A piece of soundtrack/library music from the British horror film Psychomania. The Alchemist restructured the creepy instrumental, with its swirling strings and eerie ambiance, into a tense, cinematic beat. It’s a prime example of how Griselda beats thrive on haunting loops and dark atmospheres.

7. “200 Pies” – Conway the Machine feat. 2 Chainz

Producer: The Alchemist
Album/Year: La Maquina (2021)

Original Sample:

“Can’t Be Alone” by Hodges, James & Smith (1973) – This obscure soul track by a female R&B trio features dramatic intro strings and vocals. The Alchemist chopped and repurposed them into a stirring backdrop for Conway and 2 Chainz

8. “Sunday School” – Benny the Butcher feat. 38 Spesh & Jadakiss

Producer: Daringer
Album/Year: The Plugs I Met EP (2019)

Original Sample:

“Sunday Song” by Richie Beirach (1978) – A deep jazz cut from pianist Richie Beirach. Daringer loops its gentle piano and synth notes, layering them into a soulful boom-bap beat that feels both vintage and fresh.

9. “Photographic Memories” – Boldy James & The Alchemist feat. Earl Sweatshirt & Roc Marciano

Producer: The Alchemist
Album/Year: Bo Jackson (2021)
Original Samples:

Vocal snippets from the George of the Jungle (1967) cartoon and Stand by Me (1986 film). These eerie refrains add a haunting vibe, showcasing how Griselda producers can flip not just musical sources, but also movie and TV dialogues into atmospheric loops.

10. “Carruth” – Boldy James

Producer: The Alchemist
Album/Year: The Price of Tea in China (2020)

Original Sample:

“Who Is That Man” by The California Earthquake feat. Roy Smith (late 1960s) – A rare soul/psych track. Alchemist lifted a chilling piano riff and woozy vocal to construct a slow-burning, menacing groove—perfectly matching Boldy’s understated yet vivid lyricism.

Why These Samples Matter to the Griselda Sound

From obscure prog-rock symphonies to 1970s soul ballads, Griselda takes hip-hop back to its roots in sample-based production. Their reliance on hard-to-find loops—cleared or not—hearkens to a golden era of crate-digging, where producers transformed hidden gems into raw, heartfelt instrumentals. This dedication to discovering forgotten music is what imbues Griselda’s output with such a unique, gritty texture. If you’ve ever wondered how those signature “Griselda drums” and soulful chops come together, a closer look at these original vinyl cuts will reveal the collective’s blueprint. For fans and fellow beatmakers, it’s an inspiring journey through the building blocks of a modern hip-hop powerhouse.