James Mtume, the R&B and jazz percussionist known for the 1983 hit “Juicy Fruit,” has passed away at the age of 76.
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Mtume rose to prominence in the early 1970s as a jazz musician with his work alongside Miles Davis. From 1971 to 1975, he performed with Davis, which includes a credit on Davis’ 1972 album On The Corner.
The album continued Davis’ foray into jazz fusion as it wielded together jazz, funk, experimental, psychedelic, and other genres. On The Corner has been cited as one of the most innovative records of the time period as it served as an influence to countless funk, jazz, electronic, and hip hop albums that would come.
Following his work with Davis, he put together the R&B and jazz group Mtume where he served as one of the main songwriters.
Perhaps Mtume’s most well known work with the group was the 1983 song “Juicy Fruit,” which was the main sample used by Notorious B.I.G. on his 1994 track “Juicy.”
Since its release, “Juicy Fruit” has been used as a sample in countless songs from the likes of Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, R. Kelly, and more.
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