Skull Snaps

While New York-based funk and R&B band Skull Snaps was active for a short time (1970-1973), the roots of the band stretched back to 1963 when Ervin Waters and Sam Culley formed soul trio the Diplomats. While their blend of soul and R&B was unique, the group never connected with a large commercial audience. After releasing more than a dozen singles throughout the 1960s, the members of the Diplomats decided to bring that chapter of their career to a close. In 1970, Ervin Waters and Sam Culley recruited George Bragg, moved in a funkier direction and renamed themselves Skull Snap. The trio, who preferred to work in anonymity and retain a sense of mystery about them, released their self-titled debut in 1973. The album included the singles “My Hang Up is You” and “Didn’t Do It to You”. While the album was not a commercial success, it was rediscovered decades later by DJs and hip-hop artists. The opening drum pattern of “It’s a New Day” was sampled by various hip-hop, rock, and rap artists including DJ Shadow, Linkin Park, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, Eric B & Rakim, and many others. While their debut album was not a success, Skull Snap released a 1975 single – “Ain’t That Lovin’ You” – before splitting up. The three original members were reunited three decades later for the release of the single “Snapped” (2005).

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