The 10 Best Songs That Sample Beenie Man’s ‘Who Am I? (Sim Simma)’

Beenie Man’s 1997 Dancehall hit Who Am I (Sim Simma) has left a lasting imprint on music, with over 30 tracks sampling or interpolating its catchy lyrics or infectious rhythm. It’s fitting that many of those who sampled the song are Hip-hop artists, as the memorable chorus was directly influenced by Missy Elliot’s 1997 debut single, The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) — “Beep-beep, who got the keys to the Jeep?”

Appearing on Beenie’s eighth album, Many Moods Of Moses, the song helped to earn him his first Grammy Award nomination for Best Reggae Album. Who Am I (Sim Simma) climbed to No. 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 10 on the UK Singles chart before it was certified Gold (500,000 units) in the US in 2023, over 25 years after its initial release.

In this article, we’ll count down 10 of the most memorable songs that burrowed from Who Am I (Sim Simma) over the decades. These tracks span different eras and styles, but all pay homage to Beenie Man’s Dancehall classic in their own unique ways.

1. Girls Dem Sugar – Beenie Man feat. Mya (2000)

Beenie Man’s Girls Dem Sugar was initially recorded in the mid-’90s on Steely & Clevie’s Punanny riddim. For Art and Life, his major label debut in 2000, he re-remixed the song with American R&B singer Mýa on a new, stuttering production by The Neptunes, composed of Pharrell and Chad. The duo had taken inspiration from Who Am I (Sim Simma), Beenie recalled in a BET interview: “It was not my idea; it was Pharrell’s. He had this great idea to remake ‘Who Am I (Sim Simma),’ and he also came up with the catchy chorus.” The new song reached No. 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart. The Art and Life album won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2001.

2.Simmer – Mahalia feat. Burna Boy (2019)

British singer Mahalia’s 2019 single Simmer, featuring Nigerian superstar Burna Boy, is another reimagining of Who Am I (Sim Simma).” The track, produced by Jonah Christian and Felix Joseph, seamlessly blends 90s Dancehall with contemporary R&B, carrying the genre-blending torch sparked by Jeremy Harding and Beenie Man back in 1997. In an interview with DancehallMag, Harding expressed his admiration for Simmer, calling it his favorite reinterpretation of the classic dancehall track. The song reached No. 46 on the UK Singles chart and is currently Gold (400,000 units) in the country.

3.Freak of the Week – Krept and Konan feat. Jeremih (2015)

London rap duo Krept and Konan also paid homage to Beenie Man’s Who Am I (Sim Simma) in their 2015 hit single Freak of the Week, featuring American R&B singer Jeremih. Produced by ADP and Mustard, the song sampled Harding’s beat to complement Krept and Konan and Jeremih’s verses. Beenie Man and Popcaan later joined the trio on the remix, released later that year, further cementing the connection between the original Who Am I (Sim Simma) and this modern reinterpretation. The original Freak of the Week reached No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart and is currently certified Platinum (600,000 units) in the country.

4.Black Board – Christopher Martin (2016)

Chris Martin’s Black Board took inspiration from Beenie’s 1996 song of the same, and also featured an interpolation of Who Am I‘s “Sim Simma” hook. The melodic track appeared on Seanizzle‘s 47th Floor Riddim.

5.Zim Zimma – Joyner Lucas (2020)

Joyner Lucas paid homage to Beenie’s classic hit in his 2020 single Zim Zimma, a high-energy track that showcases the American rapper’s rapid-fire flow and lyrical prowess. The song’s title derives from Who Am I (Sim Simma), and throughout the track, Lucas interpolates The Doctor’s luxury car swag, spitting bars like “Zim zimma/ Who got the keys to my motherf—n’ Beamer?” over a hard-hitting beat produced by Leo Son and Juicebox Slim.  The star-studded music video, featuring appearances by Diddy, George Lopez, and Mark Wahlberg, follows Lucas on a joyride in his own BMW. However, things take a humorous turn when Wahlberg crashes the car and the two get into an argument. As Lucas storms off, Wahlberg insists on having the last word, insulting Lucas’ borrowed patois flow by saying, “I like Beenie Man’s s—t better anyway.”

6.Final (Baba Nla) – WizKid (2015)

Nigerian sensation Wizkid’s Final is another sugary track that pays homage to Beenie’s Dancehall classic.  Throughout the track, Wizkid playfully borrows lines from Beenie Man’s hit, asking, “Who’s got the key to my Beamer? Who’s got the key to my limo?

7.Paradise – Safaree feat. Sean Kingston (2017)

Paradise by Safaree and Sean Kingston is another example of how Beenie Man’s Who Am I (Sim Simma) continues to inspire and influence artists across different genres and generations. The two Jamaican-American rappers trade verses over a tropical-infused hip-hop and reggae fusion beat, while incorporating the famous “Sim simma! Who got the keys to my Beemer” line from Beenie’s iconic track.

8.Vroom – Yxng Bane (2018)

British rapper Yxng Bane’s 2018 single Vroom interpolated memorable lines from Beenie’s Who Am I (Sim Simma) and Sean Paul’s 2002 hit Gimme The Light. The fresh spin was a commercial success, peaking at No. 27 on the UK Singles Chart and later becoming certified Gold (400,000 units) in the country. The song’s popularity led to the release of a remix featuring Beenie Man himself.

9.Gorilla – Little Simz

In her 2021 track Gorilla, British rapper Little Simz pays tribute to Beenie Man’s Who Am I (Sim Simma) by sampling the iconic line “Sim simma, who got the keys to my Bimma?” near the opening.

10.I’m That… – Rock City feat. 2 Chainz (2014)

Virgin Islands-born brothers  Theron “Uptown AP” Thomas and Timothy “A.I.” Thomas, of Rock City (R. City), teamed up with rapper 2 Chainz for their 2013 single “I’m That…,” which heavily samples Beenie Man’s Who Am I (Sim Simma). The duo is primarily known for their songwriting and production, having written or produced songs such as Rihanna’s Pour It Up and Miley Cyrus’ We Can’t Stop.