Sampling in music is defined as the utilization of portions of an existing recording in the creation of a new recording. A key element in the development of the hip-hop genre, the popularity of sampling has become widespread in various styles of music since its emergence in the 1980s.
It is often the case that samples being used in new material have undergone sonic alterations which render them nearly unrecognizable in the context of the new track. This is achieved through various methods, including the manipulation of speed, pitch, and duration.
Because of this, it is not uncommon to hear bits of a classic tune in a new song, and being completely oblivious to the inclusion of the former. Here, we look at five modern tracks in which listeners can experience the technique in practice.
The Song: Kanye West – Bound 2 (2013)
The Samples: The Ponderosa Twins Plus One – Bound (1971), Brenda Lee – Sweet Nothin’s (1959)
No sample-based list would be complete without the inclusion of Kanye West. The rapper/producer is credited by many with the resurgence of the form in the early 2000s when producers had begun moving away from the concept. West has since maintained his commitment to the form, taking inspiration from various genres from past decades, particularly soul and r&b.
The closing track to his 2013 album, Yeezus, “Bound 2” is a love song that recalls the neo-soul style production of West’s debut album, The College Dropout. The basis of the track is a sample of the song “Bound” from 70s vocal group, Ponderosa Twins Plus One. The song’s title is a play on words, as the main lyric sampled is “Bound to fall in love,” while, as a reimagining of the original “Bound,” the song could be seen as a sequel of sorts.
Also sampled for the track were the “uh huh, honey” and “alright” portions of Brenda Lee’s 1959 song, “Sweet Nothin’s.” The song – along with the music of Brenda Lee in general – have proven to lend themselves quite well to reinterpretation, with Lee’s music having been sampled dozens of times over the past few decades alone . Notably, “Sweet Nothin’s” was also sampled by Prince for his number one hit, “Kiss,” in 1986.
The Song: Beyoncé – Hold Up (2016)
The Sample: Andy Williams – Can’t Get Used to Losing You (1963)
The third single from Beyoncé’s sixth album, Lemonade, “Hold Up” is a reggae-infused narrative of betrayal that passed through many hands before arriving at the version heard on the album.
The song began as a demo written by DJ/producer and Vampire Weekend frontman Ezra Koenig. Diplo provided the Andy Williams sample which gives the song its distinct reggae feel, while Koenig was responsible for the hook which would eventually give the song its title, which itself was an interpolation of the chorus of “Maps” by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Other artists involved in the song’s conception included producer Emile Haynie and Father John Misty, among others. The track would ultimately be released with 15 writers credited for its creation. Though once it made its way to Beyoncé, she, unsurprisingly, was able to make it distinctively hers.
The Song: Drake – Hotline Bling (2015)
The Sample: Timmy Thomas- Why Can’t We Live Together (1972)
Despite being released as the lead single for his 2016 album, Views, Drake’s “Hotline Bling” was released the previous summer, nearly a year before the album hit stores. The song’s infectious hook and earworm melody made it nearly inescapable for some time. Much of the song’s appeal also owed to its heavy sampling of soul singer Timmy Thomas’ 1972 track, “Why Can’t We Live Together.” The song’s percussion can be heard – at an increased tempo – at the very beginning of “Hotline Bling.” This element, as well as elements from the song’s chord structure, make up the musical basis of Drake’s 2015 smash hit.
The Song: Jay-Z – 99 Problems (2003)
The Samples: Billy Squier – The Big Beat (1980), Mountain – Long Red (1972), Wilson Pickett – Get Me Back on Time, Engine Number 9 (1970)
The industry was abuzz in 2003 when Jay-Z, at the height of his success, announced his intention to retire from hip-hop. The Black Album was advertised as the rapper’s final album, and different producers were recruited for nearly all of the album’s tracks. The “retirement” would, of course, prove to be temporary, as Jay-Z would resume his recording career shortly after. The Black Album would prove to be one of the most acclaimed of his career, however.
The album’s third single, “99 Problems,” was produced by Rick Rubin. Rubin, known for his sage wisdom and overseeing of albums by everyone from Johnny Cash to Run DMC to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, is not a musician himself. Thus, he took to assembling a sonic Frankenstein of sorts for the “99 Problems” instrumental.
The song utilizes three distinct samples. Firstly, the drum track, among other elements, from Billy Squier’s “The Big Beat” acts as the basis of the track. “The Big Beat” is a sampling staple, and has been used in hundreds of tracks over the years. It is used in tandem with a sample from Mountain’s live 1972 performance of “Long Red,” which itself has been even more heavily utilized in hip-hop, and is estimated to have been sampled over 600 times. Percussion from Wilson Pickett’s “Get Me Back on Time, Engine Number 9” is layered over the track as well, and the combination of these elements provide the decidedly modern, New York flavored hip-hop track with a distinctive throwback flavor.
The Song: Lady Gaga – You and I (2011)
The Sample: Queen – We Will Rock You (1977)
Lady Gaga broke onto the scene as a pop star in the late 2000s, but the multifaceted nature of her abilities quickly revealed itself as her star grew. Gaga’s second full-length album, 2011’s Born This Way, saw the singer incorporating classic rock influences into her music.
To drive home the point, she brought in some ringers for the album’s fourth single, “You and I.” The song was produced by Robert John “Mutt” Lange, famous for his work with Def Leppard, Shania Twain, and AC/DC among others. The song samples the iconic “stomp-stomp-clap” beat of Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” which is further intensified by Lange’s famous production technique. To add further authenticity to the song, Gaga brought in Queen lead guitarist Brian May, who contributed a solo to the final track. The result is a down-tempo pop-rocker which effectively harnesses the energy of multiple genres in a Springsteen-esque ballad of love both lost and found.
Sampling as an art form has been criticized by those with only a surface familiarity as being lazy or derivative. While this can certainly be the case, when done properly and with intent, sampling can open up musical worlds within already existing pieces of music. The notion is similar to that of the exploration of galaxies within universes, planets within galaxies, countries within planets, and so on and so forth until you’re continuing to uncover hidden gems at a microscopic level. Creativity begets creativity, and your new favorite song could be waiting within the space of a song you already enjoy!