Rappers, despite being into the fast life of ‘the now’ — drugs and alcohol, parties, and slurs of women– always seem to humble themselves and draw inspirations from their predecessors. Maybe they’ve discovered the method most beneficial onto releasing a guaranteed banger, is putting a spin on classics we already love.
Sampling popularized in the 70s, when Hip Hop DJs first began experimenting with mixing turntables and audio mixers. Majority of artists add portions, whether it be instrumental or acapella, of previous recordings
to their songs.
Here are 15 hit songs of today that used beats that transcend time. If these didn’t ring a bell before, ding ding.
1. J. Cole’s smash single Work Out (2011) sampled Paula Abdul’s Straight Up (1988)
2. Drake’s single Legend (2015) sampled Ginuwine’s So Anxious (1999)
3. Kanye West’s hit Famous (2016) sampled Sister Nancy’s Bam Bam (1982)
4. Azealia Banks’ Esta Noche (2012) sampled Montell Jordan’s Get It On Tonight (1999)
5. Kendrick Lamar’s Textbook Stuff (2011) sampled Imogen Heap’s Speeding Cars (2006)
6. Joey Bada$$’ ’95 Til Infinity (2013) sampled Caldera’s 1977 classic Ancient Source (1977)
7. Twista’s Overnight Celebrity (2004) sampled Lenny Williams’ Cause I Love You (1978)
8. Nelly & Kelly’s Dilemma (2002) sampled Patti Labelle’s Love, Need And Want You (1984)
9. Kodak Black’s Shake Back (2015) sampled Player’s Baby Come Back (1970)
10. Vince Staples’ Limos (2014) sampled Mary J. Blige’s I Can Love You (1997)
11. Future’s F*ck Up Some Commas (2015) sampled Quincy Jones’ Ironside (1971)
12. Ice Cube’s It Was A Good Day (1992) sampled The Isley Brothers’ Footsteps In The Dark (1977)
13. The Game’s Ali Bumaye (2012) sampled Florence And The Machine’s Seven Devils (2011)
14. Lil Kim’s Crush On U (1996) sampled Biggie’s Big Poppa (1995)
15. Nicki Minaj’s Save Me (2010) sampled James Brown’s Funky Drummer (1970)
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