Ink Magazine; Vol. 1.4

Hooks. Verses . Bridges. Break downs.

Instrumentals. Or simply a few words that tickle your ear. Samples are creating fresh music from a previous recording by reinventing the sound, whether it be lyrics or a melody. We listen. We love 'em.

We learn' em. And at the end of the day, we take them for what they are, never truly realizing the amount of creativity involved. Any bona fide music head can't deny the capturing melodies hip hop heavy weights have laced us with for years. As early as the late '80s, hip-hop production has involved sampling in some of the most unimaginable ways and continues to evolve to this day.

In 1987, Eric Band Rakim released their legendary hit "I Know You Got Soul" which sampled the classic Bobby Bird record of the same name originally hitting airwaves in 1971. Exactly 10 years later in 1997, wearing shiny suits and dancing in tunnels, Puff Daddy and Mase featured on Notorious B.l.G.'s "Mo Money, Mo' Problems" perfectly sampling Diana Ross' "I'm Coming Out,'' first released in 1980.

The Louis Vuitton Don himself, Kanye West, has taken an amazing approach at mastering the technique. While most artists like Mr. West clear samples before release, Virginia's own, super-producer Timbaland, has come under an immense amount of criticism for what some consider stealing. From Aaliyah to Jay-Z tracks, Va.'s own producer hasn't always given credit to a number of songs he's created by sampling the works of other artists. Still, continuing to be one of the most innovative and artistic kings, Timbaland, like Kanye, has skillfully mastered tweaking beats with incredible and irrefutable talent. What would rap music be without the acknowledgment of Biggie's "Ten Crack Commandments" or Nas' "Memory Lane" productions by expertise DJ Premier, sometimes laying low and still heating up the hip-hop scene?

For all the hip-hop junkies loving music from the lyrics to the instrumental, a quick gaze down this page will be ear candy for weeks to come.