Hip-hop culture unquestionably has a rich history of sampling and interpolation. Hip-hop producers have sampled from and covered the majority of musical genres. Within hip-hop itself, artists even sample and interpolate other hip-hop tracks.
Your task in this first “Sampling and Interpolation Spotlight” will be to think critically about sampling and interpolation as creative processes by focusing on two classic tracks.
Analyze the tracks listed below, and write a response (400-500 words) based on your research of the tracks.
We recommend the following:
Look up the specific track on Who sampled.com and listen to what samples may be “contained in” in the song, as well as what later tracks the song itself “was sampled in” (according to Who sampled.com). It is important to know that Who sampled.com provides information at the top of each ”sample” that is referenced: whether it is a direct sample (and what instrumentation is involved) or an interpolation.
In your response write about –
(1) the samples and interpolations referenced on Who sampled.com and (2) a later song or track that samples or interpolates this same song.
You will be graded on the following matters:
1. Accurate description of the samples and/or interpolated content in the main song.
Consider the distinctive use of vocals, instrumentation, and the important or iconic artists who are sampled on the track.
2. Making connections to specific examples from class. Refer to specific artists, breaks, or other references to inform your interpretations. Consider readings and viewings we have covered in class to inform your analysis of these songs, and cite at least one reading and one musical example from class
SAMPLING SPOTLIGHTS-
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, “Summertime”
link- https://www.whosampled.com/DJ-Jazzy-Jeff-%26-the-Fresh-Prince/Summertime/
Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick, “La Di Da Di”
link- https://www.whosampled.com/Doug-E.-Fresh/La-Di-Da-Di/sampled/
As a reminder, consider reviewing some of the musical examples from previous weeks for considerations of sampling, interpolation, and genre blending that we have explored: this includes “Paper Planes,” “Ready or Not,” “Bam,” “The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel,” or “Rapper’s Delight.”
