The Art of the Sample: 6 Iconic Rap Samples
A good sample has the power to create iconic pieces of music. Here are some of the top rap samples and some of the producers a behind the technique that has reshaped music production and composition.
Written by Aalap Diwanji
Photo courtesy of The Find Mag
J Dilla in the studio chopping a sample.
The art of the sample has been popularized by rap producers. A sample, which refers to repurposing a small part of another song to build a beat, has been the core of some of the greatest songs in the genre and continues to be used in increasingly innovative ways to create interesting and progressive music. Finding the right sample is a talent in its own right, often taking hours and hours of meticulously going through records and having the right ear to find perfect way to repurpose a sound. While this is not an exhaustive list, I hope to show appreciation for the creators of the great beats that keep me coming back to rap music for inspiration. Here are my favorite uses of samples in music from the overlooked heroes of hip hop: the producers.
1. “The Heist” by Jaylib, produced by J Dilla
Sample: “Persuasion” by Throbbing Gristle
You cannot talk about sampling and hip hop without mentioning J Dilla, unequivocally regarded as one of the greatest and most influential talents in the art of production. Dilla is revered for his innovative ability to create beautiful and immersive instrumentals from almost any sound he comes across. In this song, Dilla samples a malicious baseline from a British experimental music group from the 1970s called Throbbing Gristle, often considered one of the pioneers of the industrial music genre. Dilla is able to tap into the wickedness of Throbbing Gristle’s sound, allowing Quasimoto to rap about the aftermath of a heist gone wrong.
2. “Nas Is Like” by Nas, produced by DJ Premier
Sample: “What Child Is This” by John Rydgren and Bob R.
DJ Premier and Nas created what is arguably one of the greatest rap songs of all time with the most iconic opening lines ever: “Freedom or jail, clips is being inserted, a baby’s being born//Same time a man is murdered — the beginning and end.” DJ Premier is considered by many to be in the pantheon of producing greats; his resume speaks for itself, having worked with every great artist that hip hop has to offer (seriously, look at his production credits on Wikipedia). His skills as a DJ and producer are both on full display in this classic beat, sampling a church record that he was about to throw away and scratching snippets from old Nas songs on a turntable to create a chorus.
3. “Nas is Coming” by Nas, produced by Dr. Dre
Sample: “Synopsis Two: Mother’s Day” by 24-Carat Black
This landmark song by Nas was the first time that Dr. Dre had worked with an artist from the East Coast, and it was released in the midst of the East Coast-West Coast beef in 1996. The song starts with a skit in which Dre and Nas turn their noses up to the beef going on and declare their allegiance to two things: making hits and making money. Making such a strong statement during such a tumultuous time immediately ignited controversy, but nothing could stop these two giants from making the gangsta hit that they concocted. Dre’s sampling of soul and funk band 24-Carat Black works perfectly, setting the stage for “Nasty Nas” to spit some slick, braggadocious bars.
4. “Thuggin” by Freddie Gibbs, produced by Madlib
Sample: “Way Star” by Rubba
Madlib is considered by many to be the greatest sampler of all time, and his collaboration album with Freddie Gibbs certainly supports that claim. His production, often minimalist and sparse, takes very specific sounds and allows them to shine as a centerpiece without much accompaniment other than drums. The results are always exciting and exhilarating, as seen in “Thuggin,” where the beat immediately pulls the listener into the viscerally violent and ruthless world of Freddie Gibbs’s past. Seriously, this entire album is worth a million listens, with Madlib showing off on each song in one of the best albums of the 2010s.
5. “Stay Fly” by Three 6 Mafia, produced by DJ Paul and Juicy J
Sample: “Tell Me Why Our Love Turned Cold” by Willie Hutch
There is no skirting the issue: Three 6 Mafia is one of, if not the most influential group, in terms of the formation of the current sound in hip hop. DJ Paul and Juicy J’s grimy production created the foundation for the dark trap music made now, which is why so many artists today want to work with Juicy J — he makes HITS ONLY! Their sampling of Willie Hutch helped create one of the greatest club bangers from the South, and their everlasting contribution to music is something to be remembered.
6. “Cameras” by Drake, produced by: Noah “40” Shebib and Drake
Sample: “Calling on You” by Jon B
40 has been a driving force since the very beginning of Drake’s career. There is no better combination than Drake rapping over a 40 beat, and 40 is among the greatest producers alive right now. Drake’s love for 90s R&B has been a consistent musical theme throughout his discography, but “Cameras” is a standout track in this regard. The song’s smooth simplicity and the way it lets Jon B’s original carry the theme of the track makes the song fit perfectly in the album. Try queuing up “Calling On You” next time you listen to “Cameras,” and you might just find yourself going back and forth between them for the rest of the day. It's a perfect example of how creative sampling can catapult a song into greatness.
As you might notice, this list does not even begin to scratch the surface of great sampling in hip hop (seriously, what’s a list about sampling without including Kanye West), but I hope it is a good introduction to how this technique has been integral to the cultural fabric of music.