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 ...

Sampling has been the heartbeat of hip hop since its birth, transforming fragments of old records into entirely new anthems. From vinyl crate digging to digital platforms, producers use creative chops ...

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 ...

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 ...

As hip-hop celebrates its 50th anniversary, sampling continues to serve as a cultural bridge, evolving from vinyl crate digging to AI-powered cloud libraries. From the soulful textures championed by ...

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 ...

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 ...

There’s a raw energy in the air—a palpable, jittery anticipation as the old guard of hip-hop production gets tossed aside by the relentless force of technological innovation and cultural upheaval.