Hidden Samples

By Samantha De Chiara | Designed by Jacob Fulton & Joelle Rubeli

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5iATpcxTCQuz5y8ygitGNm?si=a8185bb0a76e4166&nd=1

When you hear someone talk about an artist using a ‘sample’ in their song, it really just means that the artist reused or manipulated a sound recording that already existed. The term ‘sample’ originated in the 70s as a reference to a new kind of synthesizer with the ability to record and replay short sound bytes, though today, computers do most of the work. Samples can be obtained from other songs, movies, speeches, tv shows, or just about any medium through which sound is captured.

Although most commonly used in Hip Hop / R&B songs, sampling can also be used to add layers of meaning, depth, or just entertaining rhythms to any genre. Many iconic songs have samples that often go unnoticed by listeners. Whether due to the subtlety of the sample, a lack of knowledge on the listener’s behalf, or heavy manipulation of the sample, it is not uncommon for people to miss the hidden messages that samples can imbue within a song. To help unpack some commonly overlooked messages and histories, we’ve rounded up four of our favorite samples.

Mask Off by Future • Prison Song by Tommy Butler

One of Future’s highest-charting singles, “Mask Off,” borrows its iconic beat from Tommy Butler’s “Prison Song.” Butler wrote “Prison Song” in 1978 for Selma the Musical, a play that tells the story of Martin Luther King and other untold tales from the Civil Rights Movement. Although Selma did not find massive success on the stage, the soundtrack went on to inspire a variety of records, including Future’s 2017 hit “Mask Off.” In the single, Future’s lyrics tell his own story of success and the life he has built for himself full of luxury, fancy cars, and expensive drugs. By choosing to sample Butler’s song about Dr. King, Future acknowledges the tragic past of the American South in order to convey to his listeners how far he has managed to rise in only a couple of generations. Future’s sample choice builds a deeper meaning into his music by incorporating a history of people’s struggles into his own sounds.

Good Morning by Kanye West •Someone Saved My Life Tonight by Elton John

“Good Morning,” the intro to Kanye’s third album, samples background vocals off of Elton John’s 1975 track, “Someone Saved My Life Tonight

.” The familiar ‘ooos’ ringing in the background of the track are straight off of Elton John’s heartfelt ballad. While Kanye is opening up a lighthearted metaphor about the morning of his ‘Graduation,’ John’s song exposes the artist’s struggles with suicide and his broken engagement to Linda Woodrow. In his track that is also referred to as “The Suicide Song,” John confesses about “a slip noose hangin’ in [his] darkest dreams.” 32 years later, decades after John came out as gay in 1988 and recovered from his darkest days, Kanye borrowed the falsetto for his rap song and began a friendship between the two creators. Kanye West has also publicly faced personal battles with his mental health. So, by borrowing from a song that also addresses and destigmatizes mental health, Kanye is able to publicly normalize conversations about mental health. Elton John and Kanye collaborated again for Kanye’s 2011 album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. John played piano and sang on “All of the Lights'' and went on to praise Kanye’s creative process, calling the album “a genius record.”

Nice For What by Drake • Ex-Factor by Lauryn Hill

Drake’s chart-topping hit “Nice for What” borrows its background vocal track from the iconic Ms. Lauryn Hill. Hill’s hit song “Ex Factor” was a top ten single when it debuted in 1999 and topped charts once again when Drake hopped on the track. Hill is widely regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time, and her influence on female rap music is unmatched. Hill broke down barriers for women in Hip Hop and found great success with her best selling album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 1998. In addition,“Ex Factor” features samples from Wu Tang Clan’s “Can It Be All So Simple” which, in turn, sampled “ The Way We Were / Try To Remember” by Gladys Knight and the Pips. Both “Can It Be All So Simple” and “The Way We Were / Try To Remember” focus on reminiscing on the ‘good old days’ and discuss times when life felt easier, which gives the two songs a strong lyrical connection. Later in the evolution of the samples, Drake’s song focuses on female empowerment, which is why Lauryn Hill was the perfect artist to sample. While “The Way We Were / Try To Remember” and “Can It Be All So Simple” focus on a lyrical connection for samples, Drake used a beat from Ms. Lauryn Hill with unrelated lyrics to spotlight the artist rather than the content.

Man Of The Year by ScHoolboy Q •Cherry by Chromatics

he final sample we’re showcasing is incredibly satisfying to listen to, and we highly recommend hearing them one after the other. Although both start off the same way, they develop into two different genres with distinct stories carried by different beats. Schoolboy Q’s popular song, “Man Of The Year'', took its intro from the lesser known “Cherry” by the Chromatics. “Cherry” is an alternative track that tells the story of a difficult breakup and the effects that come from suppressing emotions. “Man of the Year,” on the other hand, tells the story of SchoolBoy Q’s LA lifestyle. He raps about girls, drugs, and the obstacles he faced in his past to get where he is now: self-titled Man of the Year. The former is a more patient beat, ideal for a long walk or your study playlist, while the latter is way more upbeat and social. The two songs are an example of sampling that provides no deeper meaning to Schoolboy Q’s work, but lends itself simply to the song’s aesthetics.