Song samples are portions of previously recorded songs that are used to create or strongly influence a brand new one. Unlike covers, samples normally only use clips, phrases or backing tracks from older songs rather than the song in its entirety. Rappers like Dr. Dre, Ice-T and Snoop Dogg are known as early influencers in music sampling and the reasons why rap is known for the technique. Because of their example, sampling is included in so much of our popular music today.

I've always loved finding these connections between songs. A song automatically becomes so much more interesting to me once I know it used the inspired technique. I've heard some really great ones over the years, but also some that make me cringe. I feel like some classic songs should be untouchable. The following list if filled with songs that I believe pulled off sampling tastefully. Although you may know them, did you know that they came from another famous artist's music?

1. Kanye West's "Lost In The World"

You can hear sampling from Bon Iver's "Woods" from the very beginning of Kanye's "Lost In The World." The two contrasting artists have actually worked together on many projects and performed this song together many times.

2. Wiz Khalifa's "The Thrill"

Much like "Lost In The World", Wiz's "The Thrill" makes no effort at disguising the sampling from Empire of the Sun's "Walking On A Dream."

3. Kendrick Lamar's "Poetic Justice"

If you listen to "Poetic Justice," you'll immediately hear how Janet Jackson's song "Anytime, Anyplace" is used to back Kendrick's vocals.

4. Destiny's Child's "Bootylicious"

The introduction to the fan-favorite Destiny's Child song "Bootylicious" comes almost directly from Stevie Nicks' "Edge of Seventeen."

5. Mac Miller's "The Spins"

In this Mac Miller track, music from Empire of the Sun's "Half Mast" is used to back Mac's vocals throughout the whole song.

6. Nelly's "Dilemma"

In Nelly's "Dilemma" the lyrics and melody you hear from featured artist Kelly Rowland come from Patti LaBelle's "Love, Need and Want You."

7. Drake's "Pound Cake/Paris Morton Music 2"

The female vocals that introduce Drake's "Pound Cake/Paris Morton Music 2" are actually Ellie Goulding's, and also introduce her song "Don't Say a Word."

8. J. Cole's "Work Out"

The musicality and beginning lyrics of J. Cole's "Work Out" were influenced by Paula Abdul's "Straight Up."

9. M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes"

The driving beat throughout "Paper Planes" is a repeated and slightly altered version of The Clash's introduction to their song "Straight to Hell."

10. Kanye West's "Gold Digger"

The influence of Ray Charles' "I Got A Woman" is easy to notice here even though the lyrics were altered a bit to reflect the message of Kanye West's "Gold Digger."