Most Dynamic Hip-Hop Samples Pt. I
- Gabriel Diaz
- Mar 26, 2018
- 3 min read
Hip-Hop was formed by taking the old and turning it on its head. At its core, it was a rebellious youth movement. Along with the punk movement of its time, hip-hop emerged as the counterculture reaction to the themes of the era:
poverty, hopelessness, and a perceived lack of substance and authenticity. It was born in the crates and turntables of local New York City DJ’s like Kool Herc, Grand Wizzard Theodore and Grandmaster Flash.
From there it migrated to the parks and the hottest clubs of the time. Through their collective creativity and innovation, these pioneers- and others like them- moved a whole subculture forward and in turn, shifted the American musical landscape.
What was so groundbreaking about the new art form was how it took the old and recycled it to form a brash new sound. The hip-hop sample was thus born. Taking a song and looping a particular section, these innovators found a way to take the breakdown section (the stripped-down section that usually allowed for more dancing) and extending it as something new. As hip-hop increasingly evolved, it continued to pull from more eclectic and diverse influences. It no longer solely used the break section of a song, but any part of the musical score that they could get their hands on.
Young Kanye West in the Lab
Pete Rock & CL Smooth on the Production Tip
Take a look at some of the most iconic hip-hop samples, as we explore the original inspiration and what it birthed, as well as some notable mentions. (Spoiler Alert: Nas is on here twice.)
Most Dynamic Hip-Hop Samples Pt. I
1. You're All I Need To Get By
Artists: Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell
Released: 1968
You're All I Need
Artists: Method Man, Mary J. Blige
Released: 1994
2. Don't Look Any Further
Artists: Dennis Edwards, Siedah Garrett
Released: 1984
Gettin' Money
(Get Money Remix)
Artists: Junior M.A.F.I.A.
Released: 1995
3. The Edge
Artists: David McCollum
Released: 1967
The Next Episode
Artists: Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Kurupt
Released: 1999
4. A Garden of Peace
Artists: Lonnie Liston Smith
Released: 1983
Dead Presidents
Artists: Jay-Z
Released: 1996
5. Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody
Artists: Brick
Released: 1978
Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody
Artists: Kid 'N Play
Released: 1991
6. Mystic Brew
Artist: Ronnie Foster
Released: 1972
Electric Relaxation
Artists: A Tribe Called Quest
Released: 1993
Did You Know?
Forbidden Fruit/ Neighbors
Artists: J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar
Released: 2013/2016
"Neighbors" was the Ronnie Foster sample played backwards!
7. She's My Baby
Artists: The Mojo Men
Released: 1966
Hell of a Life
Artists: Kanye West
Released: 2010
8. Thief of Baghdad
Artists: Lee Irwin
Released: 1972
Represent
Artists: Nas
Released: 1994
9. Way Star
Artists: Rubba
Released: 1980
... and a Mule
Artists: Mankind
Released: 2017
10. Timeless
Artists: John Ambercrombie
Released: 1980
Turn Me Up
Artists: Ab-Soul, Kendrick Lamar
Released: 2010
11. Human Nature
Artists: Michael Jackson
Released: 1982
It Ain't Hard To Tell
Artists: Nas
Released: 1994
12. Shape of My Heart
Artists: Sting
Released: 1993
The Message
Artists: Nas
Released: 1996
13. Jessica
Artists: Herbie Hancock
Released: 1969
Shook Ones
Artists: Mobb Deep
Released: 1995
14. Lo Dudo
Artists: Jose Jose
Released: 1983
Let Me Fly
Artists: DMX
Released: 1998
15. Boadicea
Artists: Enya
Released: 1986
Ready or Not
Artists: Fugees
Released: 1996
Notable Mention
I Don't Wanna Know
Artists: Mario Winans
Released: 2004
Stay tuned for the next installment. And Stay Delirious!
#hiphop #sample #Throwbacks #Samplingproduction #dj #DeliriousMoves #Music #urbanculture #culture #Blog #1520Sedgwick #Bronx
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