The bulk of J Dilla’s “Mash” consists of two primary samples: a looped, tuned-down piano sample of Galt MacDermot’s “Golden Apple” and vocals from Frank Zappa’s “Dance Contest”. In fact, Zappa’s repetition of the phrase, “they’ll be mashed” was used as inspiration for the track’s title. The combination of both samples allows for a jazzy, soulful twist of a piano tune reminiscent of a 1940s and 50s dance melody.
The final 10-15 seconds of “Mash” also bears almost exact similarity to “Glazed”, another track on Donuts, given that they both use the same Lou Rawls sample.