Robert Bell on Co-Founding Kool & The Gang, Sampled 1,800 Times By 2Pac, Jay-Z & Will Smith (Full)

Robert “Kool” Bell, a founding member of Kool & The Gang, sat down for his first-ever VladTV interview, where he started off speaking about growing up in Jersey City, New Jersey, after being born in Ohio. He explained that Jersey City was “rough,” and Robert spoke about coming up with the “Kool” nickname after moving there. During the conversation, Robert spoke about his musical journey started when he was a kid, and he detailed learning to play the guitar. This led to Robert speaking about how “Kool & The Gang” was started and how they went through various name changes, including “Kool & The Flames.” Robert also spoke about how the group has become one of the most sampled groups in history, and he argued with James Brown’s claims that he was the most sampled artist. After speaking about “Kool & The Gang” having a string of successful regional hits, Robert detailed how they came up with “Hollywood Swinging,” “Jungle Boogie,” and “Funky Stuff” in one studio session. From there, Robert spoke about coming up with “Ladies’ Night,” their first song with their new lead singer, J.T. Taylor, and the group going on to release “Celebration,” which went #1. To hear more, including Robert speaking about “Kool & The Gang” getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame but not getting inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, hit the full interview above.

[@turnbull1621]

I can’t believe these guys still aren’t in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Ridiculous

[@parisedwards]

That part 💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@prime535]

Unbelievable!!!

[@AlbertoPerez-zu6wg]

I agree!

[@iren9179]

Almost…. Racist 🥴💯

[@terucks]

Exactly, crazy to know that the Commodores aren’t even inducted yet as well!

[@mthunzie]

One of the most influential bands of all time

[@melfo73]

Yes! Vlad please keep these type of interviews coming. Love learning about these groups who hip hop got most of their sound from!

[@solidlaw911]

Playing Kool and the Gang all day today. RIP George “Funky” Brown 🙏🏽🖤

[@willstaywinning]

It’s a shame they’re still not in the rock and roll hall of fame. There’s a video of them performing ladies night where even Michael Jackson was in the crowd rocking

[@georgiagirlSB]

Hall of Famers 2024🎉🎉🎉

[@willstaywinning]

@@georgiagirlSB about time! 🙌🏾

[@kenterminateddq5311]

Robert Bell's full interview is already uploaded, VLAD? This interview is really cool (no pun intended). Kool & The Gang not being in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is one of the biggest injustices in music.

[@nstokes29]

I've been bumping Kools music forever. My mother like Joanna because of her name. RIP to Dennis Thomas, sax player, one of the Koolest dudes. Y'all go watch old Soul Train videos on these guys.

[@Nanbebe7]

Undeniably the most significant and loved band of all time! Come on R&R HOF y’all aren’t sleeping you’re in a coma!

[@telleyvestal3351]

One of my favorite bass players👍🤘😎

[@pollyanna147]

Please keep getting guys like this on even if it doesn't go viral for fuckery. Such a cool interview

[@Ricobaca]

Naw he ain't shot nobody or been to prison for 30 years.😅

[@anatorres-ym8ke]

​@@Ricobacai actually enjoy hearing about the hood in the 50s and 60s..yh it was crime and gangs but the population was so small so black folks wasnt on demon time with eachother..crack ruined everything

[@billyjacc]

​@@anatorres-ym8ke Small population? What do you mean?

[@anatorres-ym8ke]

@@billyjacc the larger the population the more crime

[@walterclark3198]

Kool and the gang get played at almost every cookout. These guys are music royalty and living legends.

[@michaeldurham1986]

"See what happened was" I think he coined the term lol...This was an amazing interview. True legend here. They were the real deal like the Ohio Players. They need to be inducted into the hall of fame. This man has wisdom.

[@mikes.johnson204]

HIS GROUP IS VERY ICONIC. THIS & FUTURE GENERATIONS SHOULD KNOW THEIR HISTORY ABOUT GROUPS LIKE THIS ONE

[@djk-ozzone5295]

As a Dj I keep them in rotation heavy

[@MalikStarr07]

I Am Hop Generated 2 the Bone...but how in the hell does Snoop, NWA, & Missy get into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame B4 a Kool & the Gang????🤔🕵🏾‍♂️

[@SS-ii6nz]

My mother is 💯 percent correct by telling me the band known as Kool And The Gang was a huge popular group way before pop culture stepped in. The respect comes from the sound of the instruments . They were apart of the 70s and 80s where 🎶 music came from the heart and soul.

[@EduardoTorres-zm5rs]

Summer Madness legendary baby

[@isuriadireja91]

Vlad....please do more interviews on funk icons, like Robert Kool here....y'know, while they're still alive and can still think and talk.

[@danielleleycon55]

Glad they finally made it into the R &R Hall of Fame!!! ! Love K & TG! Kool is still handsome grey beard & all! Great interview!

[@steviecritiquenewby7874]

Shout to James JT Taylor I feel like he's underrated vocalist nice singer smooth

[@31SKY]

I’m going to see them in concert tonight ! That’s so funny you posted this today lol

[@robertroberts721]

This was awesome. 🔥

[@MA-yh2ko]

Summer Madness is just BEYOND!!!

[@notenough1484]

Just now playing... 1980s Music trivia.... second card leads us to a known source of enjoyment. Thank you

[@lamontgconley694]

They talk about the Tower of Power Horns, Earth, Wind, and Fire Horns, The JB's Horns, and The Memphis Horns...Kool and the Gang's Horn section is right up there...I think they inspired the Crown Heights Affair Horn Section Kool's intro bass lines on Universal Sound, Too Hot...classic

[@lamontgconley694]

Makin' Merry Music, Dujii, Jungle Boogie, Hollywood Swingin', Funky Stuff, Street Corner Symphony, Fruitman, Light of the Worlds, Rhyme Tyme People, Summer Madness, Open Sesame, Universal Sound, Love and Understanding, Sugar, Too Hot, Mislead, Celebrate, Cherise, Joanna...Kool and the Gang

[@curtique]

these cats were four albums in before they hit radio with funky stuff...in 1972(i think🤔)!! awesome to hear the story!

[@mcmarcuschapman]

They had 5 albums prior to Funky Stuff hitting in 1973; technically 6 because their 3rd was a Best Of with 2 songs that weren’t on the first 2 albums. TONS of samples came from those records, including N.T.

[@dav1ll3]

Get down on it🔥🔥🔥 Im mad that they came to my city and did a live orchestra show and I missed it

[@dwill4307]

Vlad probably the worst person to interview this type of artist, hes just asking a bunch of timeline questions, no context, YOU HAVE THE LEGEND RIGHT THERE, Ask about the jam sessions, ask about the ad libs, ask about the ideas cmon

[@Jiggy___]

1800 samples is crazy. Sting would have secured $billions off those numbers😂

[@adolphbacon4580]

I see VLAD IS STARTING TO CHANGE UP HIS INTERVIEWS! THAT HEAT

[@user-ec8kw5ri4k]

A musical HERO of mine.

[@lonewolf4949]

In the past you buy a whole album and you listen to ALL the song, know what songs that aren't hits that you like, read the back prints, analyse the album graphics and photos and the whole nine. You know the album and the songs. These days its FAST FOOD Music consumption. Most of the songs K&G play live in concert are popular hits but 70% of the songs i like they don't play........the gems.

[@princedlotti4181]

Great Guest! Would have liked to see someone with a rich R&B history conduct this interview

[@johngalt1361]

That’s a good point. Vlad interview by numbers is sooo boring (okay!). Trying to think of who that person would be; Questlove, Steve Harvey, Cornel West, I don’t know. The better question is why is there no one out there making sure these voices are being passed on. LA Reid would be great, if he ever thought about doing it.

[@valentino3129]

My day ain’t gone go right if I don’t listen to summer madness at least ones.

[@steviecritiquenewby7874]

Mislead is my joint to this day good song...

[@georgehughes1419]

Blessing my brother

[@t.o.o.smooth5870]

As much as I often hate on Vlad for giving a platform to ignorant rappers and pushing black degeneracy, I also have to respect him for showing love to many of our greats. It's sad that we never celebrate our own and that someone from outside our community is paying homage to our legends!

[@evan1586]

Genius, Legendary a Talent of Talents!

[@theramden6025]

Legend

[@w.h.2323]

Classics are Classics.

[@butchthathird143]

Youngstown oh I live bout 45 min away in Pa & have family up there & been there least 45 yrs now .I never knew learn something every day

[@davehoward8998]

That 80's Kool & the Gang sound comes from the mind of composer producer Eumir Deodato . Commercial success is one thing, but when Funk is in your Soul, there's nothing like early Kool & the Gang.

[@mcmarcuschapman]

You’re giving Deodato a little bit too much credit. Con Funk Shun worked with him in 83 for their Fever album and didn’t get anywhere near the same results as K&TG because it was the combination of Deodato and the band’s songwriting

[@gmike2589]

Agreed!

[@user-rx5pt7dn6n]

I Met Kool in 1974 at a Muslim Resturant in Springfield Mass. Im originaly from Paterson N.J.

[@sheldontaylor2002]

Yes yes he was Muhammad Bayaan back then

[@darrylchambers7801]

I had always wondered which one of the original 7 was the voice behind Funky Granny

[@gwendellaj8449]

I had such a big crush on him ❤. They need to be inducted because those hits kept coming in the 70s and 80s. It's a shame.

[@shanna3323]

This interview made me like VLAD podcast/show that much more 🎉

[@user-nh3kv1ug8q]

This is my dude over here

[@reggaefan2700]

Emergency also had the song Misled. Shout out to that new movie, "Leave the World Behind."

[@kylemcpherson3437]

Damn shortest interview ever

[@GL_FAB]

The shortest interview Vlads ever done lol

[@billyjacc]

He should've asked him about what was it like for the next year or two without JT. Also, who replaced him and how was he and the band received?

[@kc0lif]

winter sadness

[@lilmo7088]

The song N. T. was sampled in over 300 songs

[@tiffanygreer9264]

Kool & The Gang is one of the best groups of all time…. And I don’t understand why they’re not getting the recognition they deserved 🤷‍♀️

[@earlyculyer4103]

I wonder if he was the guy that came ti Skillman home for boys by himself and played for us.

[@jaysmith886]

A real mf Og 🔥

[@SurprisedBakedBuns-nq6cd]

You mean to tell me NWA a group that sampled Kool & the Gang is in the Hall of Fame and Kool & and the Gang is not in the Hall of Fame!

[@comeagyn]

And the Isleys are heavily sampled

[@trinidad179]

I guess Vlad didn't know that Kool and Ronald Bell's father was a professional boxer.

[@davehoward8998]

The Bob Marley type song referred to was Let's go Dancing ooh la la la . Not get down on it IJS

[@williamwashington3256]

Kools still Kool 😎

[@951oct]

JT made kool and the gang even MORE popular.

[@joaquinbrown4340]

They have a song in the Library of Congress but not in the Rock and Roll HOF. RIDICULOUS! It’s a shame that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They’re only two original members people alive in the group. They’ve been influential for 3 decades.

[@christianman73]

Vlad said that their sound started to shift to disco in '73 with the "Wild and Peaceful" album. That album sounds *nothing* like disco! It's a funk and jazz album. Disco didn't really start to influence the Kool & The Gang sound until "Open Sesame" in '76, and even that song is still more of a funky dance song with gritty wah-wah guitar and jazzy horns. Vlad needs to do his musical research before interviewing such a legend!

[@MaryHiggins-rt9ly]

Kool and The Gang was one of the Hottest groups around however I don’t think they got their props for their hard work!!!!!

[@ericdoheny9108]

“Hollywood Swingin” is my JOINT

[@nstokes29]

Kool and the Gang and James Brown was sampled to death. It could be said you all were part of the starting of Hip Hop. Hall of Fame is long over due.

[@delbertprince5302]

Kool and The Gang was a great group…….

[@deckwizar]

is it just me or is jungle boogie and jungle jazz essentially the same song without vocals?

[@nunyabinness3574]

What gang is he apart of?

[@rayben8955]

The kool gang 😂

[@guesswho217]

The fact that this interview is so short speaks volumes to Vlad's inability to do the proper research necessary to conduct a meaningful interview. Do you know how much musical history lies within Kool and the Gang? Clearly Vlad is too lazy to do his homework on legendary artists he's not familiar with. Since he wasnt in a gang or didnt have a Tupac story to tell, Vlad really didnt know what to ask him.

[@justinryals3031]

Is there a red dot on his head?

[@suppcool]

Reflection

[@onefoot7]

'did you realize how much of a talent he was??!!'...what the fuck kinda question is that/?? are you serious...open your eyes

[@Factsoverfeelings4593]

Vlad I really hope you see this….. INTERVIEWING LEGENDS IS NOT JUST REVIEWING THERE WIKIPEDIA PAGE WITH THEM! How about asking them about recording processes, the industry for a black artist back then during the politics of the 70s, etc… you are a TERRIBLE INTERVIEWER! 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@951oct]

Vlad reads shit off his phone lol. I don't think he does thorough research. Lol

[@daniel-my1od]

43:58

[@brandanwashington5741]

YOUNGSTOWN

[@djxcel23]

The shortest interview of a legend.. embarrassing

[@dwill4307]

FACTS, all he knew to ask was like the wikipedia discography

[@franklin8618]

🤣 He only gave Vlad 40 mins of his time. Something is up.

[@leonardshelman8952]

Mybe because he’s older and don’t feel like sitting that long . Just appreciate the time he has shared with the world 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿

[@Yuuurp75]

Why is that red beam on his head I know it’s the cameras but vlad come on

[@souljazzie]

Kool & The Gang one of the best funk bands best compared to The Meters , Fred Wesley’s & The JB’s , Booker T & The MG’s , Funk Brothers. MFSB Kool & The Gang Best Funk when they’re an instrumental band …

[@itshiho]

LOL people think these current artists are so great but they can't make a song without sampling original music or it's that voicebox/autotune crap 🤣🤣

[@reggaefan2700]

Everything has to do with reggae.

[@4jsena]

Youre obsessed with sampling.

[@moedinyu7172]

Safe to say that youre in the "goat convo", when your song is played in SPACE!!!!! Sry!🤷🏿‍♂️

[@mikeburke-coffin1214]

They were black ⚫ stars ⭐