There’s a fascinating video floating around Twitter these days, recently reposted by Rainn Wilson of The Office. The video, by Nate Harrison, is actually at least several years old, but it artfully explains how a 6-second drum beat (or break) from 1969 called the “Amen break” by D.C. funk and soul group The Winstons became almost ubiquitous. The break is one of the most sampled pieces of music of all time, has been in countless hip hop records, commercials, and arguably was the basis for a lot of drum and bass and jungle music. It’s one of those things that once you know what it is, you recognize it everywhere, like the Wilhelm scream.

The beat was played by Winstons’ drummer Gregory C. Coleman, and the song, “Amen, Brother,” was a b-side to “Color Him Father,” one of the biggest hits of 1969. The group is still around today, based in Suitland, though without any members from the “Amen, Brother” days.

The video, which also ruminates on copyright and other issues, is almost 20 minutes long, but it is very interesting. And since today is probably a slow day for many folks due to the holidays, we thought we’d share it below.