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Exclusive analysis of and insight to music sampling, copyright law, and more from The Art of Sampling.
Source Material: Marie Rottrová – “Time Is A Rogue”
Marie Rottrová is a singer and TV personality from the Czech Republic. Technically, she was born (1941) and raised in Ostrava, Moravia. In 1939, during WWII, The Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia was established by Nazi Germany. …
Sample Flips: Masta Ace – “Me And The Biz” (Prod. By Marley Marl)
Masta Ace is a rapper from Brooklyn, New York who started rhyming in the late '80s. Ace was a member of The Juice Crew All-Stars, a hip hop crew formed by producer Marley Marl that featured Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, and Roxanne Shante. …
Source Material: Taeko Ohnuki – “4:00 AM”
Taeko Ohnuki is a singer and songwriter from Suginami, Tokyo, Japan. In 1973, she formed Sugar Babe, a band featuring Japanese musicians Tatsuro Yamashita and Kunio Muramatsu. After struggling to find success at home, the group broke up…
Source Material: William DeVaughn – “Be Thankful For What You Got”
William DeVaughn is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Washington, D.C. Early in his career, he wrote a song called "A Cadillac Don't Come Easy." In 1972, he rewrote it, and "Be Thankful For What You Got" was born. In 1974, he…
Sample Flips: Cormega – “Fallen Soldiers” (Prod. By J-Love)
Cormega is a rapper from Queensbridge, Queens who has enjoyed a successful independent career. He befriended Nas and their rapport led to a friendship both in and out of music. In 1996, Cormega joined the short-lived rap group, The Firm,…
Source Material: Paul Mauriat – “Melancholy Man”
Paul Mauriat was a French orchestra leader from Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France. As a child, Mauriat studied classical music, but as a teenager, he transitioned to jazz and popular music. At 17, he formed his own orchestra, and he…
Sample Flips: Chill Rob G – “Let Me Show You” (Prod. By The 45 King)
Chill Rob G is a rapper from Jersey City, New Jersey who started rhyming in the '80s. He is an original member of Flavor Unit, a hip hop collective from the east coast that featured Queen Latifah, Lakim Shabazz, and The 45 King. In 1987,…
Source Material: Patti Austin – “The Family Tree”
Patti Austin is a singer and songwriter from New York. She was born in Harlem, but she grew up in Bay Shore, New York on Long Island. When she was four years old, she sang at the Apollo Theater during a performance by Dinah Washington,…
Sample Flips: Ghostface Killah Ft. Raekwon & Cappadonna – “Daytona 500” (Prod. By RZA))
Ghostace Killah is one of the lead members of Wu-Tang Clan (the legendary hip hop group from Staten Island, New York). In 1993, Wu Tang released their debut album, Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers). It was an impactful debut; by 1995, the…
Source Material: Brighter Side of Darkness – “Love Jones”
Brighter Side of Darkness was a soul group from Chicago, Illinois who enjoyed a brief run in the early '70s. The group was led by 12-year old Darryl Lamont, and the supporting members were Ralph Eskridge, Randolph Murph, and Larry…