Sampling in hip-hop has been going on since the genre’s inception, but in 2023, it’s been more prevalent than ever. If everything sounds familiar, it’s because it definitely is. Words: Grant Rindner ...

As we continue to celebrate hip-hop’s 50th anniversary, here’s how A Tribe Called Quest helped me appreciate one of the most important aspects of the genre. As a Queens native, my 15-year-old self was ...

Sometimes you hear a new hip-hop song and think, “I know this song — I’ve heard these sounds before.” You’re probably right, because hip-hop music is built on sampling, the process of using existing ...

Sampling originated from DJ Kool Herc's Merry-Go-Round technique. Over time, the technique evolved and has created hip-hop songs with ties that go back decades. The legal battles with clearing samples ...

As the legendary DJ Premiere once said, “Hip-hop is about style and finesse and being creative and different. And to do that you have to be ballsy enough to not do what everybody else does.” Rap music ...

Discover the essential music instruments for creating captivating Hip Hop beats. Explore drum machines, synthesizers, and samplers, and learn valuable tips for choosing the right instrument to achieve ...

Hip-hop beat-makers are usually unseen. Not all sample-based producers are as reclusive as the torch-bearing loop artist Madlib, but even the most prominent among them are part of the backdrop. After ...