artistsong
Crate record
Kool & the Gang

Open Sesame

1976 · via The Notorious B.I.G. and 1 more

Kool & the Gang’s 1976 recording of “Open Sesame” is the earliest release on file. Robert “Kool” Bell, Ronald Bell, George Brown, Claydes Smith and Dennis “D.T.” Thomas are credited as its writers. Also recorded by Christian McBride (released 1998) and Quincy Jones & Kool & the Gang (released 2009), among 32 recordings of this work on MusicBrainz. The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Three Bricks” (2006) carries this song’s writers on its credit. Beastie Boys’ “Shazam!” (2004) samples it, per MusicBrainz.

From the counter

Five names on the "Three Bricks" credit sheet are the band who wrote "Open Sesame" and put it on record themselves back in 1976. Start there, then try Christian McBride's take on the same tune.

Flip "Shazam!" over and you find a 1976 Kool & the Gang record holding up the floor, with all five of its writers credited right next to the Beasties. Christian McBride had it on record in 1998 too, so this one has traveled further than you'd think.

Find it on YouTube ↗

Liner notes

Credited writers: Robert “Kool” Bell, Ronald Bell, George Brown, Claydes Smith and Dennis “D.T.” Thomas.

Earliest release on file: this one, 1976.

Built on this record

The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Three Bricks” (2006) carries this song’s writers on its credit, the mark of a cleared sample or an interpolation.

Beastie Boys’ “Shazam!” (2004) samples it, per MusicBrainz.

Other recordings on file · first release year

32 recordings of this work on MusicBrainz.

From the regulars

No notes yet. Leave the first.

Public, with your handle. No links, 280 characters.
How you get here
The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Three Bricks" is built on an earlier song, "Open Sesame," and carries its writing credit. Who recorded "Open Sesame" first?Kool & the Gang
a knot from The Notorious B.I.G. · next: Kool & the Gang
Beastie Boys' "Shazam!" samples "Open Sesame" and carries its writing credit. Which act first recorded "Open Sesame"?Kool & the Gang
a knot from Beastie Boys · next: Kool & the Gang
Pull a thread from Kool & the Gang →

or start at The Notorious B.I.G. on a different knot →

Facts from MusicBrainz and the Rabbit Hole Records crate. The counter notes are written by the clerk, an AI, from those facts only. General Admission 4 Us: start with an artist, leave with a rare cut.