Discovered: Sampled Tracks

Ever heard a song, and said to yourself "Hmmm..that sounds familiar"? Well, I have multiple times in my life. It's crazy how artists can take an oldies hit and transform it into something spectacular, yet modern. I may sound like a geek but, it really does feel special when you discover a sample on your own. Here are a list of samples, mostly Hip-Hop, that I have discovered on my own over the years. I can probably think of more but for now, this will do.

1. Isaac Hayes "The Look Of Love" was used in so many Hip-Hop songs but, the one that stood out to me is "Can I Live" by Jay-Z. This has to be one of the coldest beats man.

Original - Isaac Hayes (The Look Of Love)

Sampled Track - Jay-Z (Can I Live)


ONE WORD: DOPE!!!

2. A more modern twist. Plies uses a lot of r&b samples, which I have realized over time. Here he does it with my favorite song by him, "Shawty". He uses the sample from Earth Wind & Fire's jam "Fantasy". I heard this song just today, and I knew it sounded familiar....and low & behold it IS a sample!

Original - Earth Wind & Fire (Fantasy) *listen to the very beginning closely
Sampled Track - Plies (Shawty)

Shawty (ft T Pain) Video

Man who ever produced that, did a great job. Very discreet.

SIDENOTE: I think B2K sampled the track too. You may have to listen closely to the orginal and B2K's version to notice it. But, the melody sounds the same.


3. Next is an older single by Hurricane Chris. Remember his song "Playa's Rock"? Well, that hit was sampled by Earth Wind & Fire's song "Would You Mind". Yes, another EW&F sample! This one is very obvious though but, it's still good!

Original - Earth Wind & Fire (Would You Mind?) *excuse the images in the video.

Sampled Track - Hurricane Chris (Playa's Rock)

Playa`s Rock Video

* I think Lil Brod's single "Do U Mind" maybe a hint towards the sample but, it's hard to tell on that one.

4. Another old hit by Crime Mob called "Circles" sampled Friends of Distinction's song "Going in Circles" (Go figure!)

Original - Friends of Distinction (Going in Circles)

Sampled Track - Crime Mob (Circles)

Circles Video

5. Another one of my favorite hidden samples is by Young Jeezy. He sampled Diana Ross' song "I Want Muscles" for his hit "The Inspiration". This is the epitome' of how a sample should sound. Very profound on this one!

Original - Diana Ross (I Want Muscles)

Sampled Track - Young Jeezy (The Inspiration)


Here are a few extras that are out there:

6. Plies feat. Ashanti - "Want It, Need It" samples After 7 "Two Occasions" (obvious)
7. Plies feat. Neyo - "Bust It Baby Remix" samples Janet Jackson's "Come Back To Me"
8. Musiq Soulchild - "Buddy" samples Taana Gardner's "Heartbeat"
9. Ludacris - "Two Miles an Hour" samples "Little Child Running Wild" by Curtis Mayfield

That's it for now but, I really get a kick out of this. I love how artists of today are going back to the roots of music and creating something modern with it. Very dope, and I ain't mad at it!

Just What R&B Needs

The hottest song on the radio right now must be "Birthday Sex" by Jeremih. And I saw this on his myspace, and was just speechless. Not because he's talking about sex but, because the guy can actually sing! He sounds exactly how the song does. His voice is amazing and it's very fresh! It reminiscent to me of the good heart-felt vibe of the 90's r&b. I have watched this back to back, and it never gets old...