Unveiled: 7 Popular Tunes You Might Not Realize Take Samples!
In the dynamic world of modern pop music, artists are constantly seeking innovative ways to create fresh, appealing hits. One such method that has proven successful is the art of sampling – the practice of incorporating elements from older tracks into new compositions.
Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson's chart-topping single "Uptown Funk" (2014) is a prime example of this technique. The song samples The Gap Band's "Oops Upside Your Head" (1979), demonstrating how creatively manipulating original audio segments can breathe new life into classic tunes. Modern pop stars often use sample libraries, legally clear samples from both obscure and well-known recordings, or opt for interpolation to recreate parts of older songs when full sampling clearance is difficult or expensive.
This process involves intricate technical manipulation, such as layering, equalizing, speeding up or slowing down, repitching, looping, and chopping vocals, to blend familiar elements with new sounds. The result is a fusion of nostalgia and novelty, as heard in hits like Lil Nas X’s "Old Town Road" (2019), which blended a sample from Nine Inch Nails with country and hip-hop elements, or Kanye West’s productions, known for their prominent use of samples from soul and older tracks.
Sampling techniques extend beyond simple incorporation, with vocal chopping – where vocal tracks are sliced and rearranged into new melodic or rhythmic patterns – adding unique textural elements while referencing older recordings. Doechii's hit "What It Is (Block Boy)" (2021) reimagines elements from TLC's "No Scrubs" (1999), while Sabrina Carpenter's song "Espresso" (2022) uses a sample from Oliver's Power Tools Sample Pack III on Splice.
Artists like Lady Gaga and Dua Lipa have also drawn inspiration from classical music, with Gaga's "Bad Romance" (2009) drawing inspiration from Johann Sebastian Bach's Prelude and Fugue No. 24 in B Minor, BWV 869 from The Well-Tempered Clavier (1722), and Lipa's "Love Again" (2022) sampling "My Woman" by Lew Stone & the Monseigneur Band featuring Al Bowlly (1932).
For those interested in learning the intricacies of effective and legal sampling, Music School offers degrees and short courses in London, LA, Ibiza, and Online. The institution, which has earned a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), provides access to free courses, tools, tutorials, and samples upon registration on its website.
Modern music-making often embraces resources from various audio sources to create global hits. As technology continues to evolve, the possibilities for sampling and creative manipulation are endless, ensuring that the fusion of old and new will continue to shape the music landscape for years to come.
- In addition to incorporating elements from older tracks, some artists are drawn to the inspiration found in classical music, a la Lady Gaga with "Bad Romance" (2009), an ode to Johann Sebastian Bach's work.
- For individuals desiring to develop their understanding of effective and legal sampling techniques, online-education opportunities are available, such as Music School's offerings in London, LA, Ibiza, or online, with resources including free courses and tools.
- The art of sampling not only involves tech-savvy practices like chopping and manipulating vocals, but also extends to exploring the world of unsampled music, such as Doechii in "What It Is (Block Boy)" (2021), referencing TLC's "No Scrubs" (1999), or Sabrina Carpenter using a sample from the Oliver's Power Tools Sample Pack III on Splice.
