Sampling, the act of taking a piece of existing sound and incorporating it into a new piece of music, is a practice as old as recording technology itself. But it wasn’t until the late 70s and early 80s that sampling truly blossomed into an art form, largely due to the advent of affordable samplers and the rise of hip-hop.
Early Pioneers:
The “Funky Drummer” (1970): This legendary drum break, created by Clyde Stubblefield for James Brown’s “Funky Drummer”, became one of the most sampled beats in history, appearing in countless hip-hop tracks. It’s estimated that the break has been sampled over 10,000 times!
Kraftwerk (1970s): The German electronic music pioneers were known for their futuristic sounds and innovative use of synthesizers. Their influence on hip-hop sampling is undeniable, with artists like Afrika Bambaataa and The Sugarhill Gang heavily borrowing their melodies and rhythms.
Grandmaster Flash (1980s): This hip-hop DJ is credited with pioneering the art of “scratching”, using turntables to manipulate samples and create new sounds. His innovative techniques helped define the sonic landscape of early hip-hop.
From Underground to Mainstream:
The “Amen Break” (1969): Another iconic drum break, this time from The Winstons’ “Amen, Brother”, became a staple of drum and bass, jungle, and even rock music. It’s been estimated to have been sampled over 2,000 times.
Public Enemy (1980s): This politically charged hip-hop group pushed the boundaries of sampling, using a wide range of sounds, from news snippets to classical music, to create their unique and powerful soundscapes.
The Beastie Boys (1980s-2014): This group embraced sampling with a playful and irreverent attitude, incorporating everything from old TV show themes to obscure jazz records into their music. Their unique approach helped solidify sampling as a legitimate artistic technique.
The Legal Battles:
As sampling became more popular, so did the legal disputes surrounding copyright infringement. While the use of samples is generally protected under “fair use” laws, the lines can be blurred, especially when using copyrighted material without permission. Some notable legal battles involved:
George Clinton vs. Biz Markie (1991): The Funky Drummer dispute led to a landmark ruling that established the need for clearance for any sample used commercially.
Gil Scott-Heron vs. Kanye West (2010): Kanye West was sued for using a sample of Gil Scott-Heron’s “The Bottle” in his track “Stronger”, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding copyright infringement and the use of samples in modern music.
Sampling Today:
Sampling remains a vital part of modern music, influencing genres from EDM to pop. While legal battles still occur, the use of samples is now more widely accepted and understood as a creative tool. However, with the rise of digital music production, sampling is taking on new forms. Online platforms like Splice allow producers to legally access and use a vast library of samples, while AI-powered tools can generate entirely new sounds from existing samples.
Funny Facts:
Sampling the Same Sample: Several artists have unknowingly sampled the same sample. For example, both The Beastie Boys and Jay-Z sampled James Brown’s “Funky Drummer” without realizing they were using the same source material.
Accidental Sampling: Sometimes, samples are used unintentionally. One notable example is the “Amen Break”, which was originally included on the “Amen, Brother” record as a simple drum loop, but became a cult classic through its widespread sampling.
Sampling the Sampling: Samples can be “re-sampled”, meaning they’re used as the source for new samples. This creates a chain of sonic influences, often leading to complex and unexpected musical outcomes.
Sampling is a fascinating and constantly evolving art form. It has played a crucial role in shaping the sounds of modern music, and will likely continue to influence the future of music production.
