"The Payback" is James Brown at his most cinematic. Released in 1973, the track was originally recorded for the Black Caesar soundtrack but was deemed too strong to give away to a film — Brown kept it for himself and released it as a single, where it went straight to number one on the R&B chart. The production is darker and more ominous than Brown's typical funk workouts, with a slow-burning groove that builds tension over nearly eight minutes.

The break's moody, menacing quality made it a perfect fit for hardcore hip-hop. Its slower tempo and darker tone offered producers an alternative to the uptempo energy of Brown's earlier breaks. En Vogue, Notorious B.I.G., and 2Pac have all drawn from "The Payback," using its brooding intensity to underscore aggressive and emotionally charged lyrics.