It is well known that even with all the possible note combinations in music, there is a finite number of musical pieces that can be made.Some musicians have found a way around this, using a process called "sampling." Sampling is the act of using a small part of an older song, film, or video, to produce a newer song. Most of the time, sampling includes a line, or a small part of a hook intended for the beginning of the song to get people listening.
The problem with sampling is the fact that sampling has become more intense, meaning that instead of a couple notes being sampled, a whole riff, and in some cases, a whole song is being sampled. I believe in musical integrity. If you are a musician, then your music must be original. If you must sample, please give credit where credit is due. Please do not become an artist where all you do is rely on samples. I'm looking at you, Pitbull.
When someone samples, I feel that they are not being genuine. I feel like they are not being themselves. I do accept the fact that new music is very hard to create; I have the most trouble with writing and creating music. But I have told myself that I would not lose my genuineness and sincerity. I chose to not sample at all in any part of my music.
Now, there is one topic that I would like to bring up, and that is good sampling. When sampling was first started with Grandmaster Flash and De La Soul, sampling made up the most of the music. With these artists however, the sampling changed the music in such a way that a new material was born. One great reference is De La Soul's, "3 Feet High and Rising." This album is the culmination of sample heavy material creating new material in an exciting way.
Sampling without creating a new idea, however, is appalling and disgusting in the music industry. One of the worst cases of sampling that I have seen is the British pop sensation, One Direction. One Direction's song, "Best Song Ever" blatantly stole the riff from one of the greatest songs of all time. That song is The Who's, "Baba O'Riley." It is clear as day when listening to the intro to the song. And that's not all that One Direction has stolen. One Direction has been accused of stealing from hit British punk band, The Clash. The song, "Should I Stay Or Should I Go," perhaps the only punk song that most people think of, was stolen by One Direction for their song, "Live While We're Young."
I weep for the classics, like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Donovan, The Band, etc. because with this new musical integrity B.S. that's going around, people neglect the fact that this whole genuineness in music was started by these guys.
P.S. Melania, we know you sampled Michelle Obama's speech from 2008. Get over it.
