Music Monday: How Crate Digging in Hip-Hop and R&B Creates Chart-Topping Songs

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In the 90s and early 2000s, hip-hop and RnB expanded into mainstream radio and television, reshaping how artistry was presented in the media. Many credit the rise to the hustle culture of rappers and singers-busking (street performing) or selling mixtapes everywhere and anywhere they could. However, one aspect that often goes overlooked is the role of instrumental sampling in creating some of the most influential songs of the era. 

Lately, I've been following music-focused TikTok accounts that share lesser-known information about the music industry-specifically music sampling. How are these artists able to pull from something as specific as an Egyptian record or orchestra music from the early 20th century, and transform it into something that fits the sound of hip-hop and RnB?

 Artists during the 80s, 90s, and the 2000s relied on a method known as the crate digging method to find inspiration. This process involved going into record stores and searching through the crates of vinyl records, often picking albums based on its cover art, genre, or pure curiosity. Inspiration was also found from television shows, international music, commercials, random daily noises, and even video games were also sampled. Once a song or instrumentals that were considered interesting were selected, that special snippet would get looped into a new song. Additional beats, instruments, and vocals are included to create the final product. 




Examples of Sampled Songs:


  • Big Pimpin'- Jay-Z (Produced by Timbaland)⮞ Khosara Khosara- Abdel Halim Hafez (Egyptian Song)

  • Get Ur Freak On – Missy Elliott ⮞ South Asian rhythms 

  • Are You That Somebody – Aaliyah ⮞ Baby cooing sounds

  • The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly) – Missy Elliott ⮞ I Can't Stand the Rain – Ann Peebles

  • Real Love – Mary J. Blige ⮞ Top Billin' – Audio Two

  • Crazy in Love – Beyoncé ⮞ Are You My Woman (Tell Me So) – The Chi-Lites

  • Izzo (H.O.V.A.) – Jay-Z ⮞ I Want You Back – The Jackson 5

  • Through the Wire – Kanye West  ⮞ Through the Fire – Chaka Khan

  • Stand Up – Ludacris ⮞ Get Up, Get Into It, Get Involved – James Brown

  • Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem) – Jay-Z ⮞ It's the Hard Knock Life

Have you heard any of these original samples before hearing the hip-hop or RnB versions? What are some of your favorite sampled songs? And which ones would you add to this list?

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