Golden Age Thursday Samples: Foster Sylvers’s “Misdemeanor” (1973) Influences Hip-hop Giants Like The D.O.C. (1989), Run The Jewels (2020), & Kenny Beats (2022) (opens in new tab)

On May 30, 2026, the music world awoke to heartbreak when news of singer-songwriter, producer/soul legend Foster Sylvers’ passing spread online. As a member of the family band, The Sylvers, Foster penned and crooned on some of the sibling band’s biggest hits, including his iconic contributions to anthems like “Boogie Fever” and his lead vocals on their wildly popular “Cotton Candy.” While his producer and songwriting credits run deep in 70’s soul and onward, one of the crown jewels of Foster’...