Led Zeppelin: This Hit 1990s Rap Song Used the ‘Kashmir’ Riff
Led Zeppelin is a classic rock band, however, even artists in other genres have tried to emulate their musical genius. For example, a popular 1990s artist used the riff from Led Zeppelin’s 1975 song “Kashmir” for one of his hits. Here’s a look at the songs and how the two artists compared on the charts.
The background of a Led Zeppelin-sampling rap song that shook the world in the 1990s
Firstly, a little background. “Kashmir” is one of the great Led Zeppelin songs of the 1970s. The 1990s were a time when the world seemed to miss the 1970s. During the 1990s, Cher made a comeback on the pop charts, Star Wars returned to the silver screen, and That ‘70s Show started its run. In addition, rapper Puff Daddy, also known as Sean Combs or P. Diddy, sampled “Kashmir” for his 1998 song “Come with Me.”
If anyone was the right person to bring the 1970s back, it was Puff Daddy. He sampled lots and lots of nostalgic songs in his hits. While modern artists like Kanye West often sample rare tracks, Puff Daddy would sample very famous songs.
For example, his smash hit “I’ll Be Missing You” sampled The Police’s “Every Breath You Take,” one of the most famous songs of the 1980s. When it came time for him to give us his take on 1970s rock, he sampled Led Zeppelin, one of the most enduring bands of their era. In addition, he sampled the riff from “Kashmir,” one of their beloved and famous riffs, when he certainly could have sampled something lesser-known.
How the world reacted to ‘Come With Me’ versus ‘Kashmir’ and Puff Daddy versus Led Zeppelin
So how did the public react to “Come with Me?” The track reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. It remains one of the most well-known rap-rock songs of the 1990s.
At the time of “Kashmir”‘s release, the Billboard Hot 100 only tracked the performances of singles. Because “Kashmir” was not released as a single in 1975, it did not chart on the Billboard Hot 100. However, it did reach No. 42 on Billboard’s US Hot Digital Songs Chart in 2007.
“Kashmir” remains a classic song and Shakira even incorporated it into her Super Bowl performance. In addition, it is pretty ubiquitous at sporting events, probably because the song’s riff sounds very epic. It’s perfect sports music.
Of course, songs don’t necessarily have to chart well to have commercial legs. “Kashmir” was a song from Led Zeppelin’s classic album Physical Graffiti. Physical Graffiti reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200. On the other hand, “Come With Me” was from Godzilla: The Album, the soundtrack of Roland Emmerich’s Godzilla. According to the Houston Press, Godzilla: The Album reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
This raises an interesting question: Did Puff Daddy outperform Led Zeppelin on the pop charts altogether? Puff Daddy had five No 1. hits on the Billboard Hot 100: “I’ll Be Missing you,” “Shake Ya Tailfeather,” “Mo Money Mo Problems,” “Bump, Bump, Bump,” and “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down.” Meanwhile, Led Zeppelin never had a No. 1 hit. Regardless, “Come With Me” proves “Kashmir” stood the test of time.
