James Mtume, musician and producer famously sampled by Notorious B.I.G., dies at 76
by Mikael Wood, Los Angeles Times
Jan 10, 2022
3 minutes
James Mtume, a musician, songwriter and producer who played in Miles Davis’ electric band of the early and mid-1970s before founding the eponymous R&B group whose 1983 hit “Juicy Fruit” became one of the most recognizable samples in hip-hop history, died Sunday. He was 76.
His death was announced by his family in a statement that didn’t specify a cause or say where he died.
Described in the artist’s words as “sophistifunk,” Mtume’s sleek yet finely detailed music layered lush, jazz-inspired chord arrangements over uncluttered post-disco grooves that could make slow jams feel like
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