"The Edge" by David McCallum, 1967 Instrumental, Revealed as Source for Dr. Dre's "The Next Episode"

Former FCC Chairman Ajit Pai recently expressed astonishment on social media over the revelation that David McCallum's 1967 instrumental track, "The Edge," serves as the foundational sample for Dr. Dre's iconic 1999 hit, "The Next Episode." Pai shared his reaction, stating, "My mind is blown. From the OG to the next episode," linking to a video exploring the connection. This sentiment echoed an earlier post by Catherine Warr, who highlighted the "insane" fact that a 1967 track could be responsible for such a prominent hip-hop beat.David McCallum, widely recognized for his acting roles as Illya Kuryakin in "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." and Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard in "NCIS," was also a classically trained musician. During his acting career in the 1960s, he released four instrumental albums for Capitol Records. "The Edge" is featured on his 1967 album, "Music: A Bit More of Me."The track, produced by David Axelrod, quickly became a significant, albeit often uncredited, piece in music history. Axelrod, known for his "richly cinematic and mysteriously evocative" work, composed "The Edge" specifically for McCallum. Its distinctive 12-note pattern proved highly appealing to hip-hop producers.Dr. Dre famously sampled "The Edge" for "The Next Episode," a track featuring Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, and Nate Dogg, which became a global success and earned a Grammy nomination. While Dre's use is the most renowned, "The Edge" has been sampled in over 40 other songs by artists including John Legend, Kendrick Lamar, and Missin' Linx, showcasing its enduring influence across genres. McCallum received a credit on Dr. Dre's album, acknowledging his contribution to the track's success.This widespread sampling underscores the practice of repurposing older tracks to create new art, bridging different musical eras and styles. McCallum's legacy, therefore, extends beyond his acting career into the realm of influential music, with "The Edge" remaining a testament to his unexpected impact on hip-hop.