Sampling is not merely about recycling old sounds but serves as a potent means of musical narration that links generations, pays tribute to cultural heritage, and stimulates creativity. Picture yourself in your car, tuning in to the radio and recognizing yet another song that seems oddly familiar—perhaps a sped-up rendition of a '90s R&B track or a drill beat layered over a classic soul record.
Recently, there has been a public outcry from music enthusiasts expressing discontent with the surge in sampling, labeling it as unoriginal, lackluster, and indicative of a depleted industry devoid of fresh ideas. However, is sampling truly mere replication of the past, or is there a deeper layer at play?
Sampling is not about rehashing old favorites solely to evoke nostalgia, but rather about reimagining existing music and making it accessible to a new audience. At its core, it represents an authentic art form that involves borrowing elements from an existing song—be it a melody, rhythm, vocal, or instrumental—and morphing them into something novel. This practice has significantly influenced various genres, ranging from electronic and Hip-Hop to R&B and pop.
The evolution of sampling can be traced back to DJs looping breakbeats at block parties, ultimately laying the groundwork for Hip-Hop. In the '80s and '90s, eminent producers like J Dilla, The Bomb Squad, and DJ Premier propelled the art forward by intricately manipulating and layering samples to craft entirely fresh auditory experiences.
The absence of sampling could have hindered the rise of some of the most renowned producers in history—think The Alchemist, Timbaland, Pharrell Williams, and others. Sampling has gifted us with numerous pivotal moments in rap history. For instance, Kendrick Lamar's verse on "Like That" from We Don't Trust You, where he raps over samples of Rodney-O & Joe Cooley’s "Everlasting Bass" and Eazy-E’s "Eazy-Duz-It,” fueled a cultural phenomenon and became the focal point of his high-profile rap feud with Drake last year.
Beyond the realm of Hip-Hop, sampling plays a pivotal role in curating timeless tracks across various genres. Kanye West’s "I Wonder" from Graduation injects new vitality into Labi Siffre’s "My Song," infusing it with booming 808s that amplify its theme of pursuing dreams. Beyoncé’s COWBOY CARTER and RENAISSANCE albums pay homage to the Black origins of house and country music by sampling underground luminaries like Kilo Ali on “America Has a Problem” and referencing Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” on “Ya Ya.” Sampling helps bridge generational gaps and introduces listeners to music they might not otherwise encounter.
Music is a continual dialogue where artists build upon previous works rather than creating in isolation. Just as Shakespeare's plays inspire contemporary films and Renaissance artwork is reimagined through digital art, music evolves by reshaping the past.
While not all samples are equal—some may feel lackluster, appearing as cut-and-paste endeavors—it is not sampling itself that irks people but rather its flawed execution. However, when executed adeptly, a sample can breathe new life into a composition. In an era of fleeting attention spans, sampling offers instant recognition while enabling artists to infuse their creativity. For instance, Jordan Aletunji's "Kehlani" melds familiar elements in a captivating way, earning him a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song in his debut year.
Instead of viewing sampling as a shortcut or a lack of originality, artists should embrace it as a form of musical revival—an act of venerating and reshaping the sounds of the past. But with this prerogative comes a sense of duty. Artists must delve into the historical context of their samples.
Particularly for Black artists, sampling represents more than nostalgia—it embodies legacy. It encapsulates storytelling, innovation, and admiration in a singular endeavor. It ensures that our music—crafted by us, for us—endures and progresses.