Part 8/10:
Fast forward to the late 1980s, and the enduring popularity of Van Halen's music took an unexpected turn when rapper Tone Loc released “Wild Thing,” which sampled “Jamie's Cryin'.” Initially, the sampling was licensed legitimately; however, the Van Halen brothers didn’t learn of this arrangement until they heard their music on air. This realization led to animosity and a negotiation that culminated in legal threats.
Sampling in the music industry during the 80s was a developing concept, and the legal frameworks around it had yet to solidify. After much turmoil, a settlement emerged that provided the Van Halen members with writing credits and royalties from “Wild Thing.”