Top 9 iconic Hip-Hop tracks that are built off exemplary samples

June 27, 2023

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Written by The Revolver Club

June 27, 2023

·

Written by The Revolver Club

Hip-Hop as a genre has exploded into various realms dominating the airwaves, streaming numbers & charts around the world. Its undeniable influence on everything from avant-garde electronica to mainstream pop music has snowballed into a massive cultural force driving forward conversations about music, literature, and entertainment altogether.

The most important aspect of Hip-Hop is the production of exquisite beats that forms the foundation on which lyrics are built upon. Further, the art of flipping a sample or incorporating it into a beat is the center piece out of which the whole song gets carved out. Some of the most powerful Hip-Hop songs are based upon tracks with such simple elements or samples that one’s brain might explode while trying to decipher them.

Here’s a compilation of some of the greatest hip-hop tracks that are enthused with highly inventive use of samples. Do let us know in the comments if anything is missing!

P.S. - In no way it is a definitive list as the purpose of this is to encourage discovery & create discussion around a soundscape that is so incredibly diverse & wide-ranging.

Songs:

Runnin - The Pharcyde

Detroit beatsmith J Dilla is credited with so many innovations that it is impossible to explicate with just one song. His profound ability to make Hip-Hop beats out of almost any kind of source material is on display on this cut where he has used multiple elements from Jazz Innovators Stan Getz and Luiz Bonfá's 1963 song 'Saudade Vem Correndo' in this American alternative hip-hop outfit’s 1994 hit.

The World is Yours - Nas

The seminal debut ‘Illmatic’ by the American Rapper Nas has been the greatest

influence for too many up & coming rappers since its release in 1994. Furthermore, Jazz has been a fertile ground for Hip-Hop producers all these years. Equally, the all-time great Pete Rock has lifted samples from Ahmal Jamal Trio’s 1970 song ‘I Love Music’ to produce this particular cut.

Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst - Kendrick Lamar

This sprawling 12-minute magnum opus from Kendrick’s second album is again based on a lush Jazz guitar riff from Grant Green’s ‘Maybe Tomorrow.’

Rapper’s Delight - Sugarhill Gang

This is where it all started. Three guys from New Jersey took a fairly underground phenomenon from the clubs & transported it to a whole another level. Sylvia Robinson is credited for producing this seminal 1979 track by directly sampling from the song ‘Good Times’ by the fabled disco group Chic.

Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang - Dr Dre feat. Snoop Dogg

This song catapulted Dr Dre & his masterful ‘G’ funk style of production into the mainstream. Snoop Dogg’s extremely quotable verses wrapped over slow, rubbery funk & layered synth hooks, directly sampled from Leon Haywood’s 1975 cut ‘I Want’a Do Something Freaky to You.’ are pure genius.

Hit Em’ Up - 2Pac

The late poet, rapper & actor Tupac Shakur is credited with what’s supposed to be the most savage of all diss tracks ever. Sampled off from a 1996 cut called ‘Gettin’’ Money’ made by the daddy of NYC Hip-Hop Notorious B.I.G. 's outfit, Junior M.A.F.I.A.

93 ‘Til Infinity - Souls of Mischief

Like so many tracks from the era, this song was also based on samples lifted off from a Jazz song by Billy Cobham called ‘Heather’ that ultimately propelled both the group and the East Oakland underground hIp-Hop scene out in the limelight.

Jazz(We’ve Got) - A Tribe Called Quest

A Tribe Called Quest wears their Jazz influences on their sleeves & this song is a crisp, intelligent example of it. Repurposing multiple elements off a 1972 jazz cut named ‘Green Dolphin Street’ by Jimmy McGriff & further including drums off 1968 song ‘Don’t Change Your Love’ by Five Fairsteps.

C.R.E.A.M. - Wu Tang Clan

This track is based on an iconic sample from 'As Long As I've Got You' by The Charmels. Produced by the famed beat maker RZA for Wu Tang’s debut album which set the sonic identity of the group - sweet melancholy soul repurposed as dark, gritty, lo-fi Hip-Hop.