Risin' to the Top

"Risin' to the Top" is a seminal song by former Five Stairsteps member Keni Burke. Released in 1982 from the Changes album, it became his most successful hit as a solo artist, peaking at number 63 on the Black Singles chart and is now widely considered Burke's signature song. Produced by Burke himself, the song was a defining hit for Burke, showcasing his work outside of Five Stairsteps.

Since its 1982 release, the song (particularly its distinctive bassline) has been sample extensively in various R&B and Hip-Hop songs, beginning the following year with the Mary Jane Girls prominently featuring the bassline in their break-out hit, "All Night Long" (which has sometimes been sampled in tandem with "Risin' to the Top" in subsequent recordings). It has a somewhat electronic feel, with drums over the percolating bass, guitar, strings, and keyboards.