80′s Babies, Stand Up – The Samples
I’m not exactly an 80′s “baby”. More like an 80′s “kid”. My earliest and strongest musical influences were created in the 1980′s. Lots of joints on the radio back then I still spin today. Now, of course, once hip-hop came into my life it kinda crowded everything else out.
Rappers and producers have long recognized the new wave genius found in the music of the Reagan era. Here are some of the best samples used in hip-hop over the last 10-15 years. Let’s go:
“We Will Survive” (Nas)
Sample: “This Is It” (Kenny Loggins)
Nasir obviously used some more well-known samples, but what fun is that? Who’da ever though that such an important tribute to two fallen giants in the rap game would have been backed up by Kenny effin Loggins ?
“Got It Twisted” (Mobb Deep)
Sample: “Blinded Me With Science” (Thomas Dolby)
Don’t get it twisted: producer Alchemist chops up and flips this 80′s classic to create a dark and haunting track perfect for the Infamous.
“In My Life” (Memphis Bleek)
Sample: “I Want To Know What Love Is” (Foreigner)
A lesser known joint from Bleek, but a strong sample.
“Slow Down” (Brand Nubian)
Sample: “What I Am” (Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians)
One of the all-time best tracks from Brand Nubian. Takes a fairly annoying hook from a one-hit wonder and turns it into a classic.
“The Honeymoon’s Over” (Charles Hamilton)
Sample: “Baby Come Back” (Player)
A break-up song samples a break-up song. Makes sense.
“Been Around The World” (Puff Daddy)
Sample: “Let’s Dance” (David Bowie)
I couldn’t create an 80′s sample list without including Diddy. Even though this is not an original or creative sample job, you have to admit it works – and you wonder why someone else hadn’t done it before.
Honorable Mentions:
“What Means The World To You” (Cam’Ron)
“It Aint Hard To Tell” (Na$)
Tags: Brand Nubian, Camron, Charles Hamilton, Memphis Bleek, Mobb Deep, Nas, Puff Daddy, Samples
