The art of sampling is taking something old and making something brand new with it. It is a technique that has been utilized in numerous genres - particularly hip hop and house music. While some critics say the production method lacks originality, sampling has undeniably translated into some of both genres’ biggest and most iconic hits. For DJs and producers, it gives them an opportunity to pay homage to the classics while giving their audiences something familiar to dance to. Here are some house music gems that do exactly that.
1. Heat Vibes - Step Funk (Hustler Trax)
Sample: Missy Elliot - Work It & Beastie Boys - Hold It Now, Hit It
Heat Vibes delivered an absolute monster with this one. With a sample of that unforgettable reversed Missy Elliott line in “Work It,” and a familiar line from the Beastie Boys’ classic “Hold It Now, Hit It,” the Mexico-based underground house music duo bring the funk in a major way.
Track:
Samples Used:
:
2. Claptone - Wrong (Exploited)
Sample: Dr. Dre - Still Dre
Deep house has this amazing knack for taking you places, and once the piano stabs in this record start kicking in, it might take you back to 1999. Claptone draws some inspiration from Dr Dre’s “Still Dre” to create a smooth and refreshing deep house mix. The track is also a nod to the Al Green classic “Love And Happiness.”
Track:
Sample Used:
3. Armand Van Helden - All About The Benjamins (Gangsta Mental Mix)
Sample: Puff Daddy ft. The Notorious B.I.G., The LOX and Lil' Kim - All About The Benjamins
When one legend samples another legend, you’re more than likely going to end up with something that’s well, legendary. That’s exactly what happened here, as Armand Van Helden serves up a house rendition of Puff Daddy’s 1997 classic “All About The Benjamins.” The usage of Sheek’s “gangsta mental” line is pure genius, and makes this track 9 minutes of pure house music bliss.
Track:
Sample Used:
4. Boys Noize - Rock The Bells (Boysnoize Records)
Sample: Run DMC - Peter Piper (Bob James - Take Me To The Mardi Gras)
Everyone recognizes this break. Originally appearing on Bob James’ “Take Me To The Mardi Gras,” the sample was popularized by hip hop pioneers Run DMC in the 1986 classic “Peter Piper.” Hamburg, Germany’s own Boys Noize used his signature electronic sound to give the sample a proper facelift in “Rock The Bells.”
Track:
Sample Used:
5. Cal Johnstone - Mover (House N’ House)
Samples: Sweet Tee & Jazzy Joyce - It’s My Beat & Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock - It Takes Two (Lynn Collins - Think About It)
Old school hip hop heads might really lose their minds if they hear this on the dance floor. With some vocal cuts from Sweet Tee and Jazzy Joyce’s 1986 record “It’s My Beat,” and a ridiculous breakdown that pays homage to Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock’s “It Takes Two,” Cal Johnstone’s “Mover” is unquestionably a hidden gem on the internet, and it’s free!
Track:
Samples Used:
6. Anil Aras - Dance MF (Hot Haus Recs)
Bell Biv Devoe - Poison
Anil Aras brings some serious groove on this track. And just when you think the percussion couldn’t get any better, the Netherlands-native slaps you with the all-too familiar drum break from Bill Biv Devoe’s 1990 classic “Poison.” Flawless execution here.
Track:
Sample Used:
7. Malaa - Notorious (Confession)
Sample: Notorious B.I.G. - Going Back To Cali
The masked Frenchman has been taking the dance music world by storm lately, and the recognition is well-deserved. Malaa has an innate ability to make house music and hip hop sound like one in the same, and his “Notorious” record is proof of that. Sampling some vocals from the Notorious B.I.G.’s “Going Back To Cali,” Malaa creates a sinister, trap-meets-techno kind of vibe - a signature sound that has made him a must-see act in any music festival lineup.
Track:
Sample used:
8. Guy Johnson - 9 Milli (Discount Kicks)
Sample: Busta Rhymes - Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See
Guy Johnson brings the rawness on this cut. The aggressive kick drum patterns and distorted bassline give this track a real dusty feel to it. Add some vocal samples from Busta Rhyme’s 1997 classic, “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See,” and you got yourself another legitimate banger.
Track:
Sample Used:
9. Dansson & Marlon Hoffstadt - Shake That (Full Frequency Range Recordings)
Sample: Nate Dogg ft. Eve “Get Up”
Dansson & Marlon Hoffstadt packed some G-House flavor on this record with some help from West Coast hip hop legend Nate Dogg. The track is fun, groovy and features a hilarious music video.
Track:
Sample Used:
10. Luca M, JUST2 - The Power (Stefano Noferini Re-Edit) (Deeperfect Records)
Sample: Snap! - I’ve Got The Power
Track:
Sample Used:
