One of my favorite aspects of hip hop has to be its versatility. It is capable of fluidly traversing genres and make unconventional pairings sound right at home. This mostly speaks to a producer’s mixing prowess but also to the ability of the artist to supplement the original sample whether in relation to the subject matter or the sound itself. The artist is not simply using the sample as sonic filler but rather as an homage—paying tribute to another as a jumping off point to their own ends. Sampling has opened up a many other genres of music to me and in many cases they are capable of standing completely on their own.

The dreamy pop vocals in “Meet The Frownies” somehow manage to sound both melancholic and cheerful at the same time. Gabriel’s ballad “6 8” is thoroughly entrancing to the point where the hook is actualized by the listener. Aretha’s “One Step Ahead” showcases a double edged devotion with a bit of soul that is one for the ages. I will leave determining the artists that have brought new life to these rich tracks as an exercise to the reader 😉.