Syl Johnson proclaimed himself to be "the most sampled artist ever." Was he right? Depends on how you look at it. Quantifiably, he might not even be close: the WhoSampled database has the soul singer tallied at 414, while James Brown — the most-sampled artist on the site — has accumulated a whopping 14,353. But what if you take the word "most" spiritually — in terms of impact — and consider his braggadocious persona? Who could deny this cheeky king his crown, scepter and sash?

Whether or not the Godfather of Soul lapped him several times in the number of samples, it's undeniable that Syl Johnson's work has appeared in some of the greatest hip-hop songs ever. He's sampled on Public Enemy's "Fight the Power" and "Fear of a Black Planet" — does it get more monumental? — to say nothing of cuts by Boogie Down Productions, Wu-Tang Clan, Kanye West and Jay-Z, Tupac Shakur, N.W.A. and Cypress Hill. The list reads like a history of hip-hop, even if that last artist was a bone of contention.

In the crate-digging omniverse there's an ocean of options, so why did all these hip-hop heavyweights clamor to sample Johnson? Because his songs ruled. "Different Strokes," "Come On Sock It to Me" and "Concrete Reservation" are classics of the nexus of blues, soul and R&B.

Sadly, the singer/songwriter and record producer passed away Feb. 6 at age 85 of congestive heart failure, according to his daughter, Syleecia Thompson. And as CBS Chicago reported, he died just days after his older brother, Jimmy Johnson, passed at 93.

In a statement, Johnson's family described the singer as "a fiery, fierce fighter, always standing for the pursuit of justice" whose musical legacy "will be remembered as impeccable and a historical blueprint."

Even if one were to remove his many samples from the picture, Johnson's legacy would be ironclad. Born Sylvester Thompson in Holly Springs, Miss. to farmer parents, he moved to Chicago with his family in 1950. By the end of the decade, the guitarist was accompanying bluesmen like the mighty Junior Wells and Jimmy Reed. He released his first single as Syl Johnson, "Teardrops," in 1959.

In 1967, Johnson signed to Twilight (later Twinight) Records and recorded those aforementioned enduring tracks. But his biggest hit came in the following decade: after signing to Hi Records in Memphis in 1971, his 1975 cover of Al Green's "Take Me to the River" brought him his widest exposure to date. Johnson later became popular among hip-hop producers, though he was often rankled by unauthorized sampling and compelled to legal action.

When the dust settled, though, Johnson emerged as a true soul great with a noteworthy ability to create popular funk and soul dance music as well as topical, poignant message songs. In 2010, Numero Group released a lavish boxed set titled Complete Mythology, thus constructing a modern-day entryway to his catalog. In 2015, he got his own Rob Hatch-Miller-directed documentary, Any Way the Wind Blows.

Even though he may not be a household name — can everybody be? — Johnson's inimitable songbook, charmingly cocky attitude (he humbly deemed himself a "multifaceted genius") and hip-hop legacy shine on forevermore. Here are five essential tracks by the late soul man.

"Come On Sock It To Me" (1967)

While a little milder than the volcanic singles that would succeed it, "Come On Sock It to Me" is a groovy, appealing slice of soul with an excellent, call-and-response chorus between Johnson and the horns. (Sidebar: why are there no modern songs about "socking it to" somebody?)

"Different Strokes" (1967)

First, you hear Johnson's wolfish "Unngh!" and some giggling in the background — then, the irresistible, slamming rhythm section, with a whipcrack snare sound. Featuring stabbing horns and an uber-confident vocal performance, "Different Strokes" is Johnson at full bore. The song was sampled in songs by Wu-Tang Clan, Kanye West and Jay-Z, and featured in Public Enemy's "Fight The Power."

"Dresses Too Short" (1968)

Did these lyrics about a catcaller who can't help himself ("Why do you blame me, baby?/ I didn't tell you to put it on!") age particularly well? No, but does everything need to? Dig "Dresses Too Short" for its infectious funky soul groove and impressive horniness.

"Is It Because I'm Black" (1970)

Johnson got more topical and resonant with "Is It Because I'm Black" — with the help of a major kick from the drums. "The dark brown shades of my skin, only add color to my tears/

That splash against my hollow bones, that rocks my soul," he croons poetically. "I didn't want to write no song about hating this people or hating that people," Johnson later told Numero Group. "It's a sympathy song."

"Take Me To the River" (1975)

This easy-breezy soul classic inspired renditions by everyone from Foghat to the Grateful Dead to Bruce Springsteen — and Johnson, too. This superb version serves as a reminder of Green's bulletproof writing — and Johnson's ability to inhabit another's tune with panache and attitude.

Today, give Johnson a few spins — whether it's a tune that sampled him or one of his unforgettable singles. Does this "fiery, fierce fighter" — his loved ones' words — deserve any less than a royal sendoff?

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