Old School Scholar

Sampling is not a privilege; it is an art. It should be treated and respected as such. So what ended the sampling era of Hip Hop? I have my theory. So let me share that theory with you and see if you agree or disagree.

There are some Hip Hop producers that claim to know the history of the culture. They also claim to know what a Hip Hop track sounds like. During the sampling era of Hip Hop, Q Ball, Danger S and myself had (and still have) a name for these so call Hip Hop producers. We called them Loopers.

The true description of a Looper is one who samples without creative intent. They don’t enhance the sample, add to it, put it in reverse, mix another sample with it, cut it in half, filter it or even chop it up into three separate parts. I’m talking no artistry whatsoever.

I don’t need to name names, but to you Loopers out there; you know who the hell you are! If you don’t, then allow me to tell you. You are the ones who committed murder to the art of sampling. You killed it in cold blood! You were also too damn lazy to ask for permission for sampling usage!

I was once told that it is now illegal to sample. Now read this, it is illegal to sample without permission with intent to sell and earn a profit.

To my fellow up and coming Hip Hop producers, take heed to these words. You can sample all you want just remember two simple things:

Be creative and ask for permission if you intend to sell your tracks.

Never have fear to ask for permission. I mean, what’s the worst that could happen if you do? The record company and/or the rightful owner of the sample will say no? Whoopty Damn Do!!! If that does happen, use your creativity and come up with something else then move on.

For creative inspiration, check out any one of DJ Premier’s tracks or Howie T’s early work for Chubb Rock, just to name a couple. However, the best one I’ve heard thus far is, Step Into A World (Rapture’s Delight - the original version), which was done by a brother name Jesse West for KRS One.

Old School Scholar’s DJ, GrandSinister Ice, always gets jealous whenever I play it.

Step Into A World (Rapture’s Delight) by KRS One