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Woudy Hughes is the bassist on The Whole Darn Family’s “Seven Minutes of Funk,” a song that has endured as a foundational sample in rap and hip-hop music.
The Whole Darn Family, a racially mixed funk band formed in Richmond in the 1970s, created “Seven Minutes of Funk” during an impromptu jam session inspired by the Ohio Players. Released in 1976 under producer Alexander “Mr. Wiggles” Moon’s Soul International label, the song’s bass-heavy groove—crafted by Woudy Hughes—became an underground hit and was later sampled by over 30 major hip-hop artists, including EPMD, Jay Z, and Public Enemy.
Despite its influence and longevity, the band’s legacy is marred by internal conflict, exploitative contracts, and legal disputes over royalties and songwriting credit, primarily involving Moon and frontman Tyrone Thomas. While the sample brought renewed recognition—culminating in Hughes meeting Jay Z in 2008—most members saw little financial reward and remain emotionally scarred. Today, “Seven Minutes of Funk” endures as a hip-hop cornerstone, symbolizing both artistic triumph and the unresolved struggles of its creators.
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