Martin Luther King: Who Best Sampled The “I Have A Dream” Speech?
In honor of MLK Day on Monday, Jan 21, we have rounded up a list of tracks inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic words and wondered - who best sampled the dream?
Why? Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech is an unofficial anthem to all types of people worldwide. King’s vision resonates powerfully even in dance music, which has always prided itself on utopian vibes. So when you go off into the free world this weekend listen to this playlist and remember that without MLK, the world today would be a very different place.
Enjoy the music, spread the love and judge people by the "content of their character." →
- compiled by Jorge Hernandez & Sarah Polonsky
Why? Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech is an unofficial anthem to all types of people worldwide. King’s vision resonates powerfully even in dance music, which has always prided itself on utopian vibes. So when you go off into the free world this weekend listen to this playlist and remember that without MLK, the world today would be a very different place.
Enjoy the music, spread the love and judge people by the "content of their character." →
- compiled by Jorge Hernandez & Sarah Polonsky
Fingers Inc. “Can You Feel It?”
Released in 1988, the Larry Heard production featuring Robert Owens on vocals is a Chicago acid house essential that has influenced a wide array of Djs and producers across electronic music. The Spoken Word mix adds an extra spiritual dimension to the lush, spacey classic.
Released in 1988, the Larry Heard production featuring Robert Owens on vocals is a Chicago acid house essential that has influenced a wide array of Djs and producers across electronic music. The Spoken Word mix adds an extra spiritual dimension to the lush, spacey classic.
Reese & Santonio “Truth of Self Evidence”
Detroit’s Kevin Saunderson and Santonio Echols followed up 1987’s breakout “The Sound” with 1988’s platter built around MLK samples, breaks and techno.
Detroit’s Kevin Saunderson and Santonio Echols followed up 1987’s breakout “The Sound” with 1988’s platter built around MLK samples, breaks and techno.
Moodswings “Spiritual High” (State of Independence) Pt 3
Originally recorded by new age composer Vangelis in 1981, State of Independence was covered by Donna Summer in 1982. In 1992, Moodswings reworked the song into this downtempo ambient version featuring the Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde on vocals. The MLK mixes appear on the continuous CD, Moodfood as well as the 12”. The original video ends with a bullet returning to its rifle in reverse slow motion.
Originally recorded by new age composer Vangelis in 1981, State of Independence was covered by Donna Summer in 1982. In 1992, Moodswings reworked the song into this downtempo ambient version featuring the Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde on vocals. The MLK mixes appear on the continuous CD, Moodfood as well as the 12”. The original video ends with a bullet returning to its rifle in reverse slow motion.
Simon “Free at Last”
San Francisco based Simon Pearson dropped this track in 2001 and list MLK on the writing credits. It’s a big, dubby classic that evokes Simon’s British roots. It was popular with DJs on both sides of the pond. Remixers included Future Shock and Bushwaka.
San Francisco based Simon Pearson dropped this track in 2001 and list MLK on the writing credits. It’s a big, dubby classic that evokes Simon’s British roots. It was popular with DJs on both sides of the pond. Remixers included Future Shock and Bushwaka.
PPK “I Have a Dream”
“I Have a Dream” was part of a batch of mp3s uploaded in 2000 by Russian trance duo Sergei Pimenov and Alexander Polyakov. The mixes created such a buzz, that they were signed to Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto label in 2001. They broke up just four years later, but continue producing music independently. Who spies Paul Oakenfold in this pic? The duo signed to Oaki’s Perfecto label in (gasp!) 1979, before splitting.
“I Have a Dream” was part of a batch of mp3s uploaded in 2000 by Russian trance duo Sergei Pimenov and Alexander Polyakov. The mixes created such a buzz, that they were signed to Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto label in 2001. They broke up just four years later, but continue producing music independently. Who spies Paul Oakenfold in this pic? The duo signed to Oaki’s Perfecto label in (gasp!) 1979, before splitting.
"Final Dream" (MLK x Pretty Lights Remix)
Pretty Lights, shines brightly on "Final Dream." He even goes so far as to co-sign King in the billing of the record. The Colorado based producer, Derek Vincent Smith, is master of both respect and rhythm.
Pretty Lights, shines brightly on "Final Dream." He even goes so far as to co-sign King in the billing of the record. The Colorado based producer, Derek Vincent Smith, is master of both respect and rhythm.
DJ Quicksilver “I Have A Dream”
Based in Germany, Turkish DJ and producer DJ Quicksilver dropped this tribal Rasta favorite in 1996. His other credits include remixes for UK EDM favorites Faithless and rock act The Verve.
Based in Germany, Turkish DJ and producer DJ Quicksilver dropped this tribal Rasta favorite in 1996. His other credits include remixes for UK EDM favorites Faithless and rock act The Verve.
DJ Duke “6 Minutes of Dreams” (Pleasure Dome)
Pleasure Dome was an alias for DJ Duke, who made a huge splash on the early ‘90s house scene with “Blow Your Whistle.” “6 Minutes of Dreams” appeared on 1994’s The Album - 84 Minutes of Funk, which also includes “12 Minutes to Do It”, a dark tech-house monster that was a favorite with DJs like Doc Martin.
Pleasure Dome was an alias for DJ Duke, who made a huge splash on the early ‘90s house scene with “Blow Your Whistle.” “6 Minutes of Dreams” appeared on 1994’s The Album - 84 Minutes of Funk, which also includes “12 Minutes to Do It”, a dark tech-house monster that was a favorite with DJs like Doc Martin.
Out Of The Ordinary “The Dream” [Get Into Magic Mix]
Out of the Ordinary was German producer, Torsten Fenslau who released his minimal techno version of MLK’s dream in 1988. The ambient track was a hit in clubs, but Fenslau went on to have bigger success in 1993 with Culture Beat’s “Mr. Vain”.
Out of the Ordinary was German producer, Torsten Fenslau who released his minimal techno version of MLK’s dream in 1988. The ambient track was a hit in clubs, but Fenslau went on to have bigger success in 1993 with Culture Beat’s “Mr. Vain”.
