Sampling

Ever since hip-hop music rose from the streets and block parties in the Bronx in the 70's and 80's, sampling has been used by some of the greatest producers and DJs. Grandmaster Flash contributed greatly to the popularity of sampling in the 1980's. In this day and age sampling still thrives in hip-hop music through artists like Kanye West, DJ Shadow, 9th Wonder and more. For those that don't know, sampling is when you take a portion, whether it be the vocals or an instrument from another song and alter it for use in a new song. Basically, if you ever hear a song that has a high pitched sounding voice or maybe you recognize the drum line or chorus from another song, chances are good it is a sample. This sound can be achieved with the use of a sampler machine or with computer software.

Though sampling often sounds good, one major downside is that the legality behind it is often questioned. Technically, rights to the song have to be given to the producer that wants to sample the song. There has been many sampling related lawsuits in hip-hop music, although it is often shrugged off.

Kanye West is often credited for his use of sampling, which appears on the majority of his beats. One of his most famous are "Touch The Sky" from his album Late Registration. Touch the Sky samples Curtis Mayfield's 1970 track titled "Move On Up". An attribute to Kanye's sampling is that he commonly uses old R&B and Soul jams to create a new age sound.

Here is a short list of some songs produced by Kanye West that use samples.

Common - They Say / Ahmad Jamal - Ghetto Child

Jay-Z - Ain't No Love / Bobby "Blue" Bland - Ain't No Love (In the Heart of the City)

Jay-Z - The Takeover / The Doors - 5 to 1

Kanye West - Touch The Sky / Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up

More prime exmples of sampling are from artists like DJ Shadow and his album titled "Endtroducing.....", which is 100% made from samples. The album is all instrumental and was praised by critics and fans alike. Although some of the samples on this album are more discrete than others, here is one of my favorites.

DJ Shadow - Organ Donor / Giorgio Moroder - Tears

Other classics that have been sampled:

DeBarge - Stay With Me has been sampled in numerous tracks such as "MVP" by Big L, produced by Lord Finesse, on the Notorious B.I.G.'s "One More Chance Remix" and more recently Ashanti's track titled "Foolish".

During live performances the Roots incorporate Curtis Mayfield's track titled "Move on Up" into their hit single "The Seed 2.0". Live version seen here.

De La Soul - Eye Know / Steely Dan - Peg

DMX - Ain't No Sunshine / Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine

The Fugees - Ready Or Not / Enya - Boadicea

Lil' Wayne - Receipt / The Isley Brothers - Layaway

Nas - Rule / Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World

UGK - International Players Anthem (I Choose You) / Willie Hutch - I Choose You

I'm sure by now you are thinking that sampling is more popular and common than you thought. Since the 90's sampling has been used often to create hip-hop music, whether it be a large and obvious sample, or a subtle sample using only a minor element of a certain song. Regardless, sampling was, and will continue to be popular in hip-hop music, even though they are saying that the art is dying out. I personally enjoy a nice sampled track.