Sample Flips: Foxy Brown – “If I…” (Prod. by Trackmasters)

Foxy Brown was just 16 years old when she was discovered in 1994.  She won a local talent show in Brooklyn and the infamous production duo, Trackmasters, were in attendance.  Impressed by her talent, Trackmasters invited Brown to record a verse on LL Cool J’s “I Shot Ya (Remix)” in 1995.  The remix featured Keith Murray, Prodigy, and Fat Joe, but her verse was considered one of the strongest.  Her initial feature led to additional opportunities on songs like: Toni Braxton’s, “You’re Making Me High (Remix),” Case’s, “Touch Me, Tease Me,” and Jay-Z’s, “Ain’t No Nigga.”  In 1996, Def Jam signed her and she began recording her debut album, Ill Na Na.

Her debut album peaked at number seven on the Billboard 200 and went platinum within three weeks of its release.  Ill Na Na was led by three singles, “Get Me Home” (featuring Blackstreet), “I’ll Be” (featuring Jay-Z), and “Big Bad Mamma” (featuring Dru Hill).  All three songs, like the majority of her album, was produced by Trackmasters.  The album featured a heavy dose of sampling, and I think “If I…” is one of the stronger songs on the project.  It’s an introspective song that shows a unique side of Brown outside of what we’re accustomed to hearing.  On “If I…” Brown reflects on her newfound success as an artist, her past before the acclaim, and a complex relationship with a man she cares about.

Foxy Brown – “If I…” (Prod. by Trackmasters)

Luther Vandross – Any Love