Actor David McCallum had an interesting career, first gaining appreciation and fans as the incredibly suave Russian agent Illya Kuryakin on “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” in the 1960s, then gaining a whole new set of fans for playing quirky medical examiner Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard on the procedural series “NCIS” throughout the 2000s and 2010s. There’s another truly excellent credit on his resume that people would probably be shocked to discover, however, as McCallum is partly responsible for one of the greatest rap songs ever: Dr. Dre’s “The Next Episode.”
That’s right, no need for a “hold up,” because David McCallum composed the instrumental song “The Edge” for his 1966 album “Music: A Bit More of Me,” produced by David Axelrod. The now-unmistakable beats and grooves of “The Edge” became a part of not just music history, but hip-hop history, injecting Dre’s West Coast vibes with a bit of vintage flair. It’s kind of wild to think of the goofy guy in the bowtie from “NCIS” composing what is arguably one of the coolest beats ever made, but clearly Ducky contains multitudes.
The Unexpected Crossover Between NCIS and Hip-Hop
When you think of NCIS, you probably picture crime scenes, naval investigations, and the ever-mysterious Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard. But what if I told you that the man behind Ducky—David McCallum—played a quiet but crucial role in shaping one of the greatest rap songs ever recorded?
Sounds wild, right? Stick with me. Because this story proves that music history doesn’t just move in straight lines—it zigzags through time, genres, and unexpected creative sparks.
Who Was David McCallum Before NCIS?
From The Man From U.N.C.L.E. to Global Stardom
Long before he became a fan favorite on NCIS, McCallum built his reputation as Illya Kuryakin on The Man from U.N.C.L.E.. In the 1960s, he wasn’t just popular—he was a phenomenon. Fans screamed at appearances. Magazines featured him weekly. He was, in many ways, a proto-pop icon.
But acting wasn’t his only talent.
David McCallum: The Musician You Didn’t Know About
Here’s the twist. In the mid-1960s, McCallum released instrumental albums produced by legendary producer David Axelrod. These weren’t throwaway celebrity vanity projects. They were ambitious, lush, orchestral recordings blending jazz, funk, and cinematic flair.
One particular track would echo across decades.
The Song That Started It All: “The Edge”
In 1967, McCallum released an instrumental track titled The Edge. At first glance, it was just another orchestral piece—dramatic strings, hypnotic rhythm, a groove you couldn’t quite shake.
But listen closely.
The tension builds slowly. The bassline pulses. The drums snap with quiet confidence. It feels… modern. Shockingly modern.
It was ahead of its time.
And hip-hop producers love nothing more than hidden treasure.
Enter Dr. Dre: The Architect of a Classic
Fast forward to 1999. Hip-hop is evolving. The West Coast sound is shifting. And producer-rapper Dr. Dre is crafting what would become one of the most iconic tracks in rap history.
The song?
The Next Episode.
Yes. That song.
The one that still ignites parties within seconds. The one with the instantly recognizable string melody. The one that feels timeless.
That unforgettable orchestral riff? It comes directly from David McCallum’s “The Edge.”
How “The Edge” Became “The Next Episode”
The Power of Sampling in Hip-Hop
Sampling is like musical archaeology. Producers dig through crates of vinyl, searching for fragments of sound—beats, melodies, textures—that can be reborn in a new era.
When Dr. Dre sampled “The Edge,” he didn’t just loop a beat. He resurrected a cinematic groove from 1967 and transformed it into a late-‘90s hip-hop anthem.
The result? Magic.
Why the Sample Worked So Perfectly
Let’s break it down:
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The original orchestration had dramatic flair.
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The rhythm carried a subtle funk influence.
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The melody felt suspenseful and bold.
Dr. Dre stripped it down, amplified its core tension, and paired it with razor-sharp production. Then he brought in Snoop Dogg for lyrical firepower.
Boom. Cultural lightning.
Why “The Next Episode” Became a Rap Masterpiece
Released as part of Dre’s album 2001, the track quickly became a cornerstone of modern hip-hop.
1. Instantly Recognizable Production
The string riff hooks you within seconds. It’s dramatic. It’s confident. It commands attention.
2. Cultural Longevity
More than two decades later, it still dominates playlists, memes, sporting events, and social media soundtracks.
3. Cross-Generational Appeal
Teens today recognize it. So do fans who grew up in the ‘90s. That’s rare air.
And at the heart of it all? A 1967 instrumental by an actor best known for solving fictional crimes.
The Beautiful Irony of It All
Think about it.
David McCallum built his fame on television drama. Yet one of his most enduring cultural contributions came not from a script—but from a string arrangement recorded decades earlier.
He didn’t write rap lyrics.
He didn’t produce hip-hop.
He likely never imagined influencing the genre.
But influence doesn’t always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it waits patiently in vinyl grooves.
From Crime Lab to Cultural Impact
On NCIS, McCallum’s character Ducky was calm, intellectual, and deeply reflective. In a strange way, his musical contribution mirrors that persona—subtle, layered, quietly powerful.
And that’s what makes this story so compelling.
It’s not just about sampling.
It’s about creative ripple effects.
Art inspires art. Across decades. Across genres.
How Sampling Bridges Generations
Sampling is often misunderstood. Some see it as borrowing. But at its best, it’s transformation.
It’s like taking a vintage car engine and building a modern supercar around it. The foundation remains—but the experience evolves.
Without “The Edge,” “The Next Episode” would sound very different. The DNA of that track carries McCallum’s original artistic fingerprint.
And that’s poetic.
The Legacy of David McCallum Beyond Television
A Career Spanning Six Decades
McCallum’s work stretches from ‘60s spy thrillers to 21st-century procedural dominance. Few actors achieve that kind of longevity.
A Hidden Musical Footprint in Hip-Hop
Yet for many younger fans, his most culturally explosive contribution might not be something they ever saw onscreen.
It might be something they danced to.
Why This Story Still Resonates Today
We live in a remix culture. TikTok sounds. Mashups. Reboots. Reimaginings.
David McCallum’s unexpected connection to a rap classic feels tailor-made for this era. It reminds us that creativity is fluid. Boundaries between genres? They’re illusions.
A Scottish actor in the 1960s.
A Compton producer in the 1990s.
One unforgettable melody.
That’s not coincidence. That’s cultural evolution.
The Business Side: How Proper Sampling Honors Artists
Importantly, the use of “The Edge” was legally cleared. Sampling, when done right, ensures original creators receive recognition and compensation.
So McCallum’s work didn’t just influence hip-hop artistically—it connected generations financially and professionally.
That’s how creative ecosystems thrive.
What Makes a Song “One of the Greatest”?
Is it sales?
Awards?
Cultural impact?
“The Next Episode” checks every box. But its staying power comes from something deeper: atmosphere.
That eerie, confident orchestral riff gives the track cinematic gravity. It doesn’t just play—it arrives.
And that arrival began in 1967.
A Lesson in Creative Serendipity
Here’s the takeaway: you never know which piece of art will echo across decades.
McCallum probably recorded “The Edge” as just another ambitious studio session. Yet it became part of hip-hop’s sonic architecture.
That’s the magic of art. It travels. It mutates. It finds new homes.
Conclusion: The Melody That Refused to Fade
David McCallum may be best remembered as Ducky from NCIS, but his cultural impact stretches far beyond television screens.
Through “The Edge,” he helped shape the sound of “The Next Episode”—a rap anthem that refuses to age.
It’s a story that feels almost cinematic itself: a 1960s orchestral experiment reborn as a 1999 hip-hop masterpiece.
Proof that sometimes, the greatest collaborations happen across time.
And sometimes, a crime-solving TV legend helps create a rap classic—without ever stepping into the studio with a rapper.