Lyn Collins: Woo! Yeah! Think!

In 1972, Lyn Collins, a Texan soul singer closely associated with James Brown’s musical circle, released a single titled “Think (About It).” Though it achieved only moderate chart success, peaking at number 9 on the soul charts and reaching number 66 on the US pop charts, its influence would far exceed its initial commercial performance.

Born Gloria Lavern Collins, she entered James Brown’s realm by submitting a demo tape that impressed the Godfather of Soul enough to bring her into his touring band as the lead female vocalist. “Think (About It),” composed and produced by Brown and supported by his band The J.B.’s, was the centerpiece of Collins’ debut album released on Brown’s People label. The track is characterized by a robust funk groove, sharp horn lines, and Collins’ soulful delivery infused with gospel intensity.

Despite the song’s modest reception at the time, its legacy took a transformative turn years later. A distinctive four-bar drum break played by Jabo Starks, accompanied by vocal exclamations including Bobby Byrd’s “Yeah!” and James Brown’s “Woo!,” emerged as a seminal sample in hip-hop and electronic music. This snippet was featured in the Ultimate Breaks and Beats series in 1987, a collection pivotal to the burgeoning hip-hop production scene.

This drum break and vocal hook became the foundation of Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock’s 1988 hit “It Takes Two,” a single that achieved platinum status and cemented its place as a landmark in hip-hop history. The track’s success brought newfound recognition to elements originally recorded sixteen years earlier.

Beyond this, the sample's reach expanded dramatically. Lyn Collins’ voice and the Jabo Starks drum pattern have been incorporated into thousands of songs across genres, making Collins the most sampled female artist in music history. High-profile artists like Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Madonna, De La Soul, and Kanye West have woven parts of “Think (About It)” into their work.

Notably, the vocal snippet also underpinned the opening of N.W.A.’s “Fuck tha Police,” exemplifying its versatility and impact in shaping hip-hop’s sound. The sample crossed into jungle, drum and bass, house, and acid music scenes, often manipulated beyond immediate recognition yet retaining its rhythmic essence.

Despite her pervasive sonic presence, Lyn Collins herself did not attain widespread fame or commercial success commensurate with her influence. After releasing a follow-up album in 1975, she collaborated with artists such as Rod Stewart and Dionne Warwick but remained largely under the mainstream radar.

Recognition of her contributions arrived late in her life. A 2005 compilation, “Mama Feelgood: The Best of Lyn Collins,” highlighted her catalog, and she embarked on her first European tour under her own name that year alongside fellow James Brown alumna Martha High. Tragically, Collins passed away in March 2005, shortly after these acknowledgments.

Her enduring legacy is paradoxical: while her voice and presence were not fully celebrated during her lifetime, the brief drum break and vocal exclamations recorded in 1972 have become deeply embedded in contemporary music culture. Each time this sample is employed, the original creators—Jabo Starks and Lyn Collins—remain an uncredited yet vital part of the musical fabric.

This enduring influence invites listeners and producers alike to look beyond the surface of modern hits and appreciate the origins of sounds that continue to inspire generations. The story of “Think (About It)” exemplifies how a modest recording can transcend its era, shaping music history in ways its creators could scarcely have imagined.