For decades, David McCallum played Donald Horatio “Ducky” Mallard on NCIS. The beloved and eccentric medical examiner, who was fiercely loyal to Leroy Jethro Gibbs, often served as the show’s storyteller. Beyond his memorable role on one of the most popular television series in the world, McCallum, a classically trained musician, also created one of hip hop’s most recognizable hooks.
David McCallum is behind one of hip-hop’s most iconic hooks
Many people do not think of David McCallum as a musician. Even when they do, they rarely realize they have heard his music. In reality, millions of listeners worldwide have heard McCallum’s work, often without knowing its origin. One of his compositions later became one of the most famous hooks in hip hop history.
In the 1960s, the Scottish actor starred as secret agent Illya Kuryakin on the American television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E.. The role brought him widespread recognition and earned him nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.
Capitalizing on the fame, McCallum released an album, Music: A Bit More of Me. It featured an instrumental track, The Edge, which found a second life years later.
The intro to The Edge was sampled on Dr. Dre‘s single, The Next Episode, featuring Snoop Dogg. This track became one of the most iconic tracks of its time. The music further gained popularity after being sampled for The Dictator and being featured in Baby Driver.
This unexpected use of his original song linked David McCallum to the modern-day hip-hop culture.
The hook went on to enjoy more popularity as it was used time and again on various hip-hop and electronic tracks, including Lo Fidelity Allstars’ “Somebody Needs You, M.I.A.’s Missin’ Linx, and Masta Ace’s No Regrets.
In 2025, the NCIS prequel series, NCIS: Origins, paid tribute to McCallum, who passed away in 2023. The episode, titled The Edge, saw actor Adam Campbell as a young Ducky. It also featured McCallum’s original music.
Originally reported by Sourav Chakraborty on ComingSoon.
