For this week's ep of my podcast The Corner Radio I got a panel of producers asking/answering questions like do we think sampling clearance ruined hip hop (according to the book "Creative License" albums like PE's "It Takes A Nation" & the Beastie's "Paul Boutique wouldn't be able to be made now because of sampling clearance) and why aren't producers like Primo, Pete Rock, Large Professor, etc. still making classics like they were 20 years ago and is it because we're running outta dope samples or because they're switching up their equipment (Primo ditching the MPC 60 for the Renaissance & Pete ditching the SP1200 for the MPC2000XL), Peep the show when you get a chance...
So my question for cats is why do you think the legendary producers aren't making timeless classic beats like they used to and with over 30+ years of sampling, do ya'll think were' running outta dope samples to use?
"You can take an African out of Africa, but you can't take Africa out of the African" Afro-Americana/Afro-Caribbana/Afro-Latino unite. We are ALL Black!
5. "RE: it's ENDLESS unused samples and loops out there for the taking..." In response to Reply # 4
Lol...that was the consensus on the show but I was the odd man out who was thinking when's the last time cats heard a beat that really f*$ked your head up? Like when the last time you heard a Primo, Pete, Large Pro, Dre or any of those dudes produce something that just left you shaking your head like man oh man? And that takes me back to why aren't the legends of the 90's still making THAT kinda heat anymore?
7. "RE: it's ENDLESS unused samples and loops out there for the taking..." In response to Reply # 5
>you heard a Primo, Pete, Large Pro, Dre or any of those dudes >produce something that just left you shaking your head like >man oh man? And that takes me back to why aren't the legends >of the 90's still making THAT kinda heat anymore?
probably all legal reasons.... im willing to bet they all have a vault of beats with shit that would knock you unconscious but they can't/won't put them out there due to sample clearance headaches.. at least thats what i hope lol
PoppaGeorge Member since Nov 07th 2004 10384 posts
Mon Nov-14-16 04:25 PM
14. "Think of how many cats prolly made beats centered on Prince songs..." In response to Reply # 5
And not ONE of them can be used for any reason other then to sit off in their crib and listen to it like "... yeah, that shit's tight, maybe Nas or Rakim would sound dope as fuck over this joint..."
There's an assload of beats sitting on ADAT and DAT tapes, 16 track reels, CDR's, cassettes, and the like that no one will ever spit over 'cause the samples used will never get cleared.
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"Where was the peace when we were getting shot? Where's the peace when we were getting laid out? Where is the peace when we are in the back of ambulances? Where is the peace then? They don't want to call for peace then.
16. "RE: it's ENDLESS unused samples and loops out there for the taking..." In response to Reply # 5
>when's the last time cats heard a >beat that really f*$ked your head up? Like when the last time >you heard a Primo, Pete, Large Pro, Dre or any of those dudes >produce something that just left you shaking your head like >man oh man? And that takes me back to why aren't the legends >of the 90's still making THAT kinda heat anymore?
Those first three still do it. Large Pro had some serious heat on his last solo album and on the "Mega Philosophy" album with Cormega. Pete Rock had that album with Camp Lo, and has been doing dope shit with Smoke DZA. And not to get all on the shameless plug tip, but I don't a podcast a few months back where I played nothing but beats Primo did in the 2010s:
8. "One thing is true is that a lot of the obvious stuff is used up." In response to Reply # 0
Take for example the song '260' on Ghostface's Ironman. It's an Al Green sample that appears right at the beginning of the song. It's a great beat and needed little else doing other than looping the initial part.
Other loops like that are still ready to be flipped, but it won't be on stuff you can find anywhere like Al Green, James Brown and Michael Jackson. That stuff is pretty well excavated and now you have to look far and wide (see: international records) for unused loops. Alchemist is a guy I've noticed going to those places a lot in order to stay fresh while adhering to the traditional formula of boom bap.
-DJ R-Tistic- Member since Nov 06th 2008 51986 posts
Mon Nov-14-16 03:39 PM
13. "We're seriously on 3rd and 4th generation samples now" In response to Reply # 0
Like, how Warren G sampled "Curious" on "This DJ," then G. Malone/Ty Dolla flipped "This DJ" and made "That good."
I even heard a L.A. club, DJ Mustard sounding version of Lordz of the underground "Chief Rocka" one night. So nah, it's where producers now can really flip songs that used these old school samples, and add a whole new twist to them.
Dj Joey Joe Member since Sep 01st 2007 13770 posts
Mon Nov-14-16 08:35 PM
17. "No Producers Not Seaching Enough For Dope Samples" In response to Reply # 0
When producers start to sample everything others have sampled multiple times, that means they aren't trying to find material, most likely their using youtube too much and not searching and using the same old sample packs they sell to laptop producers.
If you dig for vinyl you will find a ton of shit to sample from, also it wouldn't hurt for producers to actually check to see who's used a sample before once in a while, this is the day and age of the matrix, it's places to check these days (unlike in the 90's when it was free game and sample sources were a secret to many even the most used multi-platinum artists' albums had gems) but now if you sample something it's best to not go for something that's in-print or heavily used but like I tell others, you can sample anything and not get sued until you make some real noise then the lawyers will come after you if you're making some dough.
Shit, when Prince Paul & De La Soul started sampling from Sesame Street 45's that opened up my eyes on the possibilities of sample sources, and when Madlib started finding Indian & Brazil albums & 45's it open up that even more, most kats just ain't diggin' like that.
--------- "We in here talking about later career Prince records & your fool ass is cruising around in a time machine trying to collect props for a couple of sociopathic degenerates" - s.blak
18. "RE: Producers...Are We Running Out of DOPE Samples?" In response to Reply # 0
I reckon theres plenty of life in sampling!
* Dudes like Jake One are striking up unique relationships with labels where he's getting access to multi track stems from oldies, really opening up the door as to what can be manipulated; chopped and twisted.
* Plugins and tech are helping things along as well, if you follow K-Def on instagram he appears to have come across some crazy isolation techniques and he's able to zero in on drums / instruments from samples..
* Finally,you've got a wave of newer bands and musicians making sample bait ready stuff (or providing unique sounds/replay services), Adrian Younge, Frank Dukes, DJ Khaliletc..
Great topic though; look forward to checking out the episode.
19. "RE: Producers...Are We Running Out of DOPE Samples?" In response to Reply # 18
I don't think we're running outta samples but I do think some of the old school producers are either stuck in place or just aren't motivated anymore cause they're definitely coming with it like they used to.
20. "RE: Producers...Are We Running Out of DOPE Samples?" In response to Reply # 0
Frist off Kil, whattup my dude? Heads Up alumni in the building, lol
Second, i posted this in the Tribe thread... I think this proves that there will be always be bonkers samples still left to dig. This is the sample from Mobius on the new tribe album... Busta murders that shit. Regardless, the resulting beat from this sample gave me the screw face
21. "No. Beat Roulette proves this" In response to Reply # 0
guys pick stuff with blindfolds on in a few minutes and can make dope beats out of it
there's plenty of stuff out there. the only limitation is people saying 'oh you gotta sample so-and-so' like if you sample certain artists it somehow gives you more credibility. get rid of that limitation and there's plenty out there.
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you have sexually transmitted crazy mouth...DEALBREAKER!
22. "RE: Producers...Are We Running Out of DOPE Samples?" In response to Reply # 0
Think the reality is lots of the older cats arent as versatile as is necessary for this era...
The samples are there.. shit Drakes albums are full of them.. so are kanye's..
Our beat gods werent ready for the seismic shift to keybord beats in late 90s early 00s and when the new generation of ye, just etc came flipping samples they just weren't looked at as being necessary.. (you dont HAVE to go to primo for a banger)..
Mad samples still out there tho and technology has given us endless ways to chop , screw, flip and innovate
Double 0 DJ/Producer/Artist Producer in Kidz In The Hall ------------------------------------------- twitter: @godouble0 IG: @godouble0 www.thinklikearapper.com
24. "even if that were the case..." In response to Reply # 0
surprised it was only mentioned once or twice in the replies so far, but it's not all about the samples themselves... what do you DO with them?
if cats are relying on the record itself to basically hand them a dope beat on a silver platter, maybe they weren't really that creative to begin with. the most impressive joints to me are the ones where something so easy to miss or downright unrecognizable in the original track is turned into something massive. (but obv, this is coming from a beat maker; Joe Listener doesn't care) I love dope loops, but they aren't the end-all-be-all. freak it!
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