Little Milton - I Play Dirty / Nothing Beats A Failure
- Artist Little Milton
- Title
- Label
- Catalogue No
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- Genre
- Media Condition
- Sleeve Condition
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Year Released: 1974
Genre: Funk / Soul / Blues Fusion
Description:
Issued near the tail end of Milton’s Stax period, “I Play Dirty” marks a stylistic shift toward gritty funk and urban realism, pairing his powerhouse vocals with a tougher, groove-based rhythm section. The B-side, “Nothing Beats a Failure,” offers a motivational counterpoint — a midtempo soul number with gospel-infused call-and-response backing vocals.
The drum and bass groove of “I Play Dirty” has appeared in underground hip-hop edits and beat tapes, notably in productions by Madlib and 9th Wonder, who have mined Milton’s Stax-era catalog for its analog punch and live feel. Its lyrical defiance resonates with modern R&B singers exploring flawed relationships and moral gray areas.