On this day, 81 years ago, Jazz keyboardist, composer and producer Herbie Hancock was born. 

Its hard to measure the influence a man like Herbie Hancock has had on music, his notable contributions to Jazz and Funk are most commonly discussed. Being one of the architects of the post-bop sound and popularising Funk-Fusion and electronica, his uncompromising willingness to experiment outside his field of expertise led to some of the greatest pieces of music of the 20th century. 

But his influence extends far beyond his own releases, playing a major role in the birth and development of hip-hop, through the extensive sampling of his work. With that being said, here’s our picks of the best hip-hop tracks that wouldn’t exist without him.