You probably heard it before you actually heard it. That heavy, rattling low-end that makes your trunk feel like it’s about to fall off the hinges. If you were around the West Coast or Florida in the late 80s, Everlasting Bass by Rodney O & Joe Cooley wasn’t just a song. It was the blueprint for an entire subculture of car audio and late-night cruising.
Most people think West Coast hip-hop started and ended with N.W.A. or Snoop Dogg. But before the G-funk era turned everything into smooth, melodic synths, there was this gritty, electro-heavy sound that basically lived in the trunk of a customized Chevy. Rodney Oliver (Rodney O) and Joe Cooley were the kings of that space.
The Mystery of the Sample
Honestly, the track is a masterclass in how a simple groove can take over the world. It’s got that iconic, haunting synth line and a beat that refuses to quit. But recently, things got weird.
For years, everyone assumed the song was built on a cleared sample of Barry White’s "I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby." Fast forward to 2024/2025, and suddenly the Barry White estate is filing lawsuits. Why now? Well, because Kendrick Lamar, Future, and Metro Boomin dropped "Like That." That massive #1 hit heavily sampled Everlasting Bass by Rodney O & Joe Cooley, and suddenly a song from 1988 was generating modern-day millions.
The White estate claimed they didn't even know the song existed because it was "pre-internet" and not "widely distributed." Which is kind of hilarious if you lived in LA or Miami back then. It was everywhere. You couldn't walk a block without hearing it.
Why Everlasting Bass by Rodney O & Joe Cooley Refuses to Die
It’s all about the low end. Joe Cooley wasn't just a DJ; he was a technician. His scratches were surgical, and the way he layered the bass was specifically designed for the massive subwoofers that were becoming popular in car culture.
📖 Related: Isaiah Washington Movies and Shows: Why the Star Still Matters
The song wasn't even the A-side. It was the B-side to "California Coolin’." But the streets decided which track mattered. While the radio was playing pop-rap, the "Everlasting Bass" was dominating the underground. It’s one of those rare tracks that bridged the gap between West Coast electro-hop and the emerging Miami Bass scene.
In fact, Rodney O and Joe Cooley often found more love in Florida than in their own backyard of Compton and Riverside. People in Miami thought they were locals because the sound fit the 808-heavy Florida vibe so perfectly.
A Career of Highs and Lows
The duo’s debut album, Me and Joe (1988), is a legitimate classic, but they never quite hit that Tier-1 level of fame that Dr. Dre or Ice Cube reached. They were the blue-collar workers of hip-hop.
- The Origins: Rodney O came from Riverside; Joe Cooley was from Compton.
- The Tour Life: At their peak, they were touring with legends like MC Lyte, N.W.A., and Grandmaster Flash.
- The Pivot: When the industry shifted toward "Gangsta Rap" in the early 90s, the duo tried to adapt with the album Fuck New York in 1993. It had hits like "You Don’t Hear Me Tho," but the industry was moving fast.
It’s sorta sad, really. They helped lay the foundation for the West Coast sound, but by the time the big money arrived, they were viewed as "old school."
The Technical Genius of Joe Cooley
If you watch old videos of Joe Cooley on the decks, the man is a blur. He’s as fast as Carl Lewis—a line Rodney O actually raps in the song.
👉 See also: Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett: Why Fans Are Still Divided Over the Daimyo of Tatooine
The scratching on "Everlasting Bass" isn't just filler. It’s a rhythmic instrument that drives the track forward. While most rappers were focusing on complex metaphors, Rodney O kept it simple: "The highs will get no higher, the bass will go no lower." It was a mission statement. It told the listener exactly what to expect.
The Recent Legal Drama
The lawsuit against the duo—and indirectly the "Like That" producers—is a mess. It highlights a massive problem in hip-hop: legacy. For decades, these pioneers were ignored. Now that their work is being revitalized by superstars like Kendrick Lamar, everyone wants a piece of the pie.
The Barry White estate argues that "Everlasting Bass" was an unauthorized "interpolation" or sample. Rodney O and Joe Cooley, meanwhile, are basically fighting for their legacy. They’ve even moved toward legal action themselves, claiming they haven't been properly compensated for the resurgence of their sound.
It’s a classic story of the originators getting the short end of the stick while the industry cashes in.
Impact on Modern Music
You can hear the ghost of "Everlasting Bass" in almost every Memphis rap tape from the 90s and modern trap beats today. That specific synth-bell sound and the way the kick drum hits? That’s all descended from what Rodney and Joe were doing in 1988.
✨ Don't miss: Why Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Actors Still Define the Modern Spy Thriller
- It influenced the "Puro Latin Bass" sound.
- It provided the backbone for Three 6 Mafia’s early influences.
- It’s been sampled by dozens of artists, from Zirk to Kendrick.
Practical Next Steps for Fans and Creators:
If you’re a producer, go back and listen to the original Me and Joe vinyl or digital remaster. Don't just look for samples—look at the spacing. Joe Cooley knew when to let the bass breathe. That’s a lost art in today’s "everything at 100%" production style.
For fans of hip-hop history, check out the 2015 Rolling Stone list of the greatest West Coast songs before Straight Outta Compton. "Everlasting Bass" is right there, and for good reason. It’s the bridge between the old-school park jams and the multi-platinum era.
Don't just stream the Kendrick version. Go back to the source. Support the pioneers while they are still here to see their flowers.
Check out the original 12-inch version if you can find it. The extended mix has sections that modern digital edits often cut out, and that's where the real DJ magic happens.