Welcome to November’s edition of Sample Platter, where I shed light on the samples in some of hip-hop’s best beats! This month we’ve got the following songs:
- Experience by Daedalus: Fans of Madvillain will recognize this accordion sample from MF DOOM and Madlib’s “Accordion.” Livin’ off borrowed time, the clock ticks faster…
- I Put a Spell On You by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins: Not only has this song been covered by the likes of Nina Simone, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Marilyn Manson, but its brass stabs also appear as a sample in Biggie’s “Kick in the Door.”
- Nature Boy by The Singers Unlimited: Acapella group The Singers Unlimited have proved to be a gold mine for producers such as J Dilla, Nujabes and many more. This track was sampled by Flying Lotus on his 2007 track “Massage Situation.”
- Ready or Not Here I Come “Can’t Hide from Love) by The Delfonics: This classic was sampled by Fugees, Missy Elliot and Three 6 Mafia. My favorite flip is Missy’s “Sock it 2 Me” in which producer Timbaland layers hard-hitting drums over the sample’s descending brass motif.
- Mariya by the Family Circle: The vocal harmonies in the beginning of this song can also be found in J. Cole’s “Wet Dreamz.”
- Liberty by Amnesty: Kanye West has appeared on every edition of the Sample Platter, and that’s because he (and his team) have a great ear for samples. Here, Amnesty’s “Liberty” was chopped up for Ye’s famous “poopity-scoop” verse on “Lift Yourself.”
- Silver Soul by Beach House: DJ Dahi took the intro of this song, reversed it, added drums and 808s and sent it to Kendrick Lamar. The result is the song we know as “Money Trees” – one of my favorite hip-hop instrumentals ever.
- Goin’ Down by Ol’ Dirty Bastard: Who would’ve thought to turn ODB’s guttural screams into a beat? None other than hip-hop anti-hero JPEGMAFIA, who did just that with his song “Real N—.”
– DJ Mango