Different Strokes

Syl Johnson recorded Different Strokes during his 1967 Chicago period with Twilight and Twinight Records. Johnson wrote the song and dominated the label as both a hit-maker and producer before including it on his 1968 debut album Dresses Too Short. Different Strokes became one of Johnson's early national hits, reaching number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 17 on the Billboard R&B chart in 1967. Its tough groove and vocal interjections made it a key late-1960s soul-funk single. Different Strokes became one of the most sampled records in hip-hop after its inclusion on Ultimate Breaks and Beats. It was later used by artists including Public Enemy, Wu-Tang Clan, De La Soul, Kanye West and Jay-Z.