Sampling | WhosOnStage.Net

Hip-hop is a genre of music that comprises of a fusion of several styles mostly rap accompanied by backing beats. Hip-hop is termed as a culture especially among the African Americans and it started back in the 70s in New York. Track sampling is the act of taking a portion of a sound recording and using it as a different sound in recording of another song. Most of the current hip-hop releases have part of their beats or lyrics borrowed from some of the old-school music. Adding a whole different dimension to making beats.

Despite the fact that hip-hop is a relatively newer genre of music, (in comparison with the others), its one of the most dynamic. The main reason why hip-hop sampling is widespread is the notion that it brings old back to life. Most beats and lyrics used in the old-school songs are simply genius and thus making them sound new-school and hip makes the younger generation identify more with the music.

There are various ways in which hip-hop tracks can be sampled. When making beats the one commonly used by producers is loops. This is a fusion of short samples of beats from previously done tracks. Thus a non-keen listener may not clearly hear the beats as the fusion sounds are completely different from the individual beats. This was the original idea behind sampling because it enhances the creativity of producers as the end product is a completely new innovation.

Another form of hip-hop track sampling in the process of making beats is using samples of musical instruments. The instruments act as basis of new sounds and can be played back at different pitches. However, most of these samples are created from recording studios using instrumentals that have been played by world’s best instrumentalists .

Use of unconventional (non-musical) sounds is also a form of sampling in hip-hop. Most sounds used include gunshots, sirens, locomotive whistles and natural sounds. These sounds create a sound effect that may be difficult to portray using musical instruments in making beats.

However, legal issues have arisen over the violation of intellectual property rights by the hip-hop artists who do sampled tracks. But there is fundamental law that governs how the art of sampling should be done and the extent to which borrowed lyrics can be incorporated in a track. Usually prior authorization has to be obtained before sampling a track. Producers have mainly been blamed for abusing the art of sampling especially when they simply lay new drums over loops that have been previously used, mix, then release as a brand new track.

Some of the famous hip-hop producers who use sampled tracks include Kanye West although his musical integrity has sometimes been questioned due to his continued use of old-school beats and lyrics. However, this is not necessary true seeing the success stories from the tracks he produces.

Instances of hip-hop artists and producers being sued for violation of music copyrights started rising from the year 2000. The recent one was between the Cash Money Records and artist Juvenile who were sued by a local performer DJ Jubilee for using one of his lines in their track.

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Will Chan -
About the Author:

Will C has been creating music for a long time, he is also a food critic in his free time. Check out his website on coffee makers reviews

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