When it comes to R&B, Kool & The Gang , is the longest running group in history and most sampled in their genre. “ Celebration ” is a No. 1 hit immortalized in the Library of Congress National Recording Registry. Questlove calls them “America’s First Hip Hop Band.” Led by founding members Robert "Kool" Bell and George "Funky" Brown, the group is celebrating their 60th anniversary next year and is set to release a new album — their 34th — on July 14. You can hear their signature sound on their latest, “Let’s Party.”