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We Lost a Legend This Week - Maurice White, the founder and leader of Earth, Wind & Fire, died at age 74 in Los Angeles this week. Earth, Wind & Fire was one of the most legendary and successful groups of the '70s. They’re set to be honored at this year’s Grammys. The group helped to influence and shape the music industry, but more specifically, hip hop culture. Here are a few hits that sampled and were definitely impacted by this timeless group. — Mya Abraham(Photo: Steve Grayson/WireImage)

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Plies Featuring T-Pain – 'Shawty' (Sampled EWF’s 'Fantasy') - Plies’s debut single was a huge radio hit and was certified Gold by the RIAA. It debuted at No. 9 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Tracks.(Photo: Robert Mora/Getty Images)

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Jay Z – 'Jigga What, Jigga Who (Originator 99)' (Sampled EWF’s 'Sunshine') - Featured on Jay Z’s third album, Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life, the song showcased the rapper’s raw talent. The song has a more explicit title that was often changed to avoid using the n-word. This album is Jay Z’s best-selling album and is certified 5x Platinum.(Photo: Rob Verhorst/Redferns)

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Will Smith Featuring Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes – 'Big Willie Style'(Sampled EWF’s 'Something Special') - Despite not being a single off Smith’s debut solo album, it did contribute to its overall success. Big Willie Style, the album, hit No. 9 on the Billboard 200 chart and stayed there for 99 weeks.(Photo: SGranitz/WireImage)

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Nas – 'Live Now' (Sampled EWF’s 'Fantasy') - “Live Now” is on Nas’s seventh studio album, Street's Disciple, which debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum in 2005 by the RIAA.(Photo: Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

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The Fugees – 'Nappy Heads' (Sampled EWF’s 'I Think About Lovin’ You') - “Nappy Heads” was featured on their debut album, Blunted on Reality. It wasn’t a mainstream success, but did hit No. 49 on Billboard’s Hot 100.(Photo: Steve Grayson/WireImage)

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Cam’ron Featuring Jahiem – 'More Reasons' (Sampled EWF’s 'Reasons') - This song solidified Cam’ron’s Purple Haze as a memorable album, despite it not being his greatest.(Photo: Rob Verhorst/Redferns)

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Big Pun Featuring Joe – 'Still Not a Player' (Sampled EWF’s 'Brazilian Rhyme (Beijo Interlude)') - The most successful single released by Big Pun, “Still Not a Player,” ranked No. 71 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs and reached No. 24 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Big Pun was the first solo Latino rapper to go Platinum.(Photo: Carlo Allegri/Getty Images)

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Naughty by Nature Featuring Zhané – 'Jamboree' (Sampled EWF’s 'On Your Face') - The fourth single from the NJ group reached Gold status in 1999 and peaked at No. 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100. It was their only other single aside from “O.P.P.” to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Rap Singles.(Photo: Ed Perlstein/Redferns/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Ed Perlstein/Redferns/Getty Images

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Mac Miller – 'BDE Bonus' (Sampled EWF’s 'Power') - The only single to reach mainstream from Miller’s mixtape Best Day Ever was “Donald Trump,” only proving that “BDE Bonus” was just that…a bonus.(Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for Bonnaroo Arts and Music Festival)

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The Roots Featuring D’Angelo – 'The ‘Notic' (Sampled EWF’s 'Shining Star') - Long before they became Jimmy Fallon’s house band, The Roots were already a legendary hip hop group formed in 1987. This song is featured on Men in Black: The Album.(Photo: Jordi Vidal/Redferns via Getty Images)

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Missy Elliott Featuring Ginuwine – 'Friendly Skies' (Sampled EWF’s 'New World Symphony') - Missy Elliott is one of the most influential female rappers to date. Her debut album, Supa Dupa Fly debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s 200. Despite not being a single, this track helped the album redefine hip hop and R&B.(Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Buoniconti Fund To Cure Paralysis)

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Amerie Featuring Carl Thomas – 'Can We Go' (Sampled EWF’s 'Evil') - “Can We Go” is featured on Amerie’s second album, Touch, which is classified as an R&B album with funk influence.(Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images) 

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Papoose and Sheek Louch Featuring Busta Rhymes, Raekwon and Young Chris – 'Power Cypher' (Sampled EWF’s 'Getaway') - “Power Cypher” was one of the multi-artist tracks that came from the Flipmode Squad. With its sampled beat, the song didn’t need to be a popular hit. It was a noteworthy mix of rap and funk.(Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

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Talib Kweli Featuring Common and Anthony Hamilton – 'Ghetto Show' (Sampled EWF’s 'Wait') - Featured on Kweli’s album The Beautiful Struggle, “Ghetto Show” was highlighted as one of his best tracks from the album because “it goes with the flow.”(Photo: HIGH ISO Music, LLC / Retna/Corbis)