"Apache" by the Incredible Bongo Band is a 1973 instrumental cover of the Jerry Lordan composition, originally made famous by The Shadows and later by Jørgen Ingmann in the U.S. The Bongo Band’s version, produced by Perry Botkin Jr., appeared on their debut album Bongo Rock and is now celebrated as one of the most influential tracks in hip-hop and dance music history12.
Musical Style and Structure
The Incredible Bongo Band’s take on "Apache" is a dynamic blend of Afro-Latin rhythms, funk, and soul, driven by an extended percussion break featuring congas, bongos, and a hypnotic groove3. This break, in particular, is what set the track apart: it’s energetic, infectious, and perfectly suited for dance and DJ manipulation. The band, a revolving cast of top session musicians including King Errisson, Jim Gordon, and Michael Viner, created a sound that was raw, experimental, and deeply rhythmic13.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
- Initial Reception: Upon its release, the Bongo Band’s "Apache" was not a commercial hit and remained relatively obscure142.
- Hip-Hop Breakthrough: The song found new life in the late 1970s when pioneering Bronx DJs like Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash began using its long percussion break at parties. Kool Herc’s “merry-go-round” technique—mixing between two copies of the record to extend the break—made it a B-boy (breakdancing) anthem and a foundational track in hip-hop culture543.
- Sampling and Influence: The "Apache" break has been sampled thousands of times in hip-hop, drum and bass, and pop music, making it one of the most sampled beats ever3. The Sugarhill Gang’s 1981 hit "Apache (Jump On It)" famously built on the Bongo Band’s version, cementing its place in music history5.
- Enduring Symbol: Beyond its musicality, "Apache" has become an emblem of breakdancing and hip-hop resilience, featured in countless films, TV shows, and advertisements, and described by DJ Kool Herc as “the gospel for the b-boy culture”3.
Key Facts Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Artist | Incredible Bongo Band |
| Song | "Apache" (1973) |
| Album | Bongo Rock |
| Notable Features | Extended percussion break, Afro-Latin/funk fusion |
| Hip-Hop Legacy | Adopted by Kool Herc, breakdance anthem, heavily sampled |
| Cultural Status | "Hip-hop’s national anthem," breakbeat classic |
Summary
The Incredible Bongo Band’s "Apache" is far more than a cover—it’s a rhythm-driven, genre-defining classic whose percussion break became the heartbeat of hip-hop and breakdancing culture. Though initially overlooked, its groove, energy, and sample-friendly structure have made it one of the most influential instrumentals in modern music15432.
