Following on from our recent rundown of the year’s most popular samples of 2015 (as selected by visitors to the site), we thought we should also highlight some of our personal favorite tracks and sample flips of 2015. In no particular order, here are our Top 10 favorites, as selected by the WhoSampled team:
Hudson Mohawke’s Ryderz sample of Watch Out for the Riders by D. J. Rogers
Hudmo’s production profile has been raised significantly since his last studio LP, 2009’s Butter. Having signed to Kanye‘s G.O.O.D. Music as an in-house producer, his co-writing credits now include the likes of Pusha T, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Drake, John Legend and Ye himself of course, as well as soundtracking a huge Apple campaign and remixing artists like Björk & Four Tet. His creative output this year however was channeled into sophomore album Lantern released via Warp and expanding his uniquely colorful sonic palette even wider than we’ve heard before, spanning cinematic orchestral movements to ravey electronics. ‘Ryderz‘ is a more classic offering, looping up a chunky soul sample from WhoSampled favourite D. J. Rogers and layering some additional percussion with his signature synth sounds in similar style to his 2009 smash ‘Fuse‘. This technique is clearly an homage to his new mentor, mimicking Kanye’s earlier production work, speeding up catchy soul samples and adding his own flavor to the programming.
Julio Bashmore featuring. Sam Dew’s Holding On sample of Dance Turn Into Romance by The Jones Girls
2015 finally saw the arrival of Julio Bashmore‘s debut album Knockin’ Boots and it didn’t disappoint. Bringing more of those deep, melodic basslines that have dominated house music over the past few years and groovy sample choices that stick in the ear. ‘Holding On’ is one of many we could’ve picked from the bunch (which included another D. J. Rogers gem!) but the bouncy raw cut from Inner Life featuring Jocelyn Brown provides an excellent backdrop for Sam Dew‘s vocal work.
Action Bronson’s Terry sample of Let Me in Your Life by Asha Puthli
Action Bronson makes another appearance in our staff picks list with this cut from his outstanding Mr. Wonderful album. Beatsmith The Alchemist digs out a beautifully harmonic lick from Asha Puthli‘s cover of Bill Withers ‘Let Me in Your Life‘ alongside some vocals & drums from Mountain’s much plundered ‘Long Red‘ and some horns from The Emotions ‘I Like It‘ while Bronson references Slick Rick ad-libs over the top, big tip!
Jamie xx feat. Romy Madley Croft’s Loud Places sample of Could Heaven Ever Be Like This by Idris MuhammadThis year saw Jamie xx finally step out from the shadows of The xx and flex his production skills front and center. On an album that explored ground influenced by UK hardcore, soul, house & electronica; a patchwork of samples helped add some context to some of these seemingly disparate styles. On this single, featuring vocals from bandmate Romy, Jamie lifts a hook from disco cult classic ‘Could Heaven Ever Be Like This‘ by the late Idris Muhammad.
Alessia Cara’s Here sample of Ike’s Rap II by Isaac Hayes
Echoes of 90s R&B ring out in Def Jam signing Alessia Cara‘s ‘Here‘, a powerfully catchy vocal delivered over a straight loop of a classic Isaac Hayes sample. In many ways it’s a brave choice of sample, forever associated with classics of the mid 90s Bristol sound thanks to well known usages by both Portishead and Tricky. It works though and the passage of 20 or so years since those tracks were anthems allows ‘Here’ to not only tap into nostalgia but also deliver this classic hook to new ears.
Tory Lanez’s Say It sample of If You Love Me by Brownstone
Taking on the Brownstone’s 1994 hit ‘If You Love Me‘ newcomer Tory Lanez continues his winning streak following the Cruel Intentions EP and delivers a huge single with ‘Say It‘. Chopping the well known vocals and replacing some of the more dated elements of the original, producer Pop Wansel and frequent collaborator Oak give this tune 2015 relevance.
Logic’s The Incredible True Story sample of What if Money Was No Object? by Alan Watts
In last year’s round up we featured a track from Logic‘s 2014 LP Under Pressure and the 2015 follow up The Incredible True Story was no disappointment. Where Under Pressure succeeded as a coherent narrative led album, True Story goes a step further attempting to venture into cinematic territory. The dialogue filled skits and reminders that Logic is a Tarantino fan do grate a little on repeat listens but production wise it’s a near flawless album. The title track forms the album’s outro and is both uplifting and reflective, playing out with a lengthy spoken word sample from philosopher Alan Watts which can be summarized by the following extract “better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing than a long life spent in a miserable way”.
Bilal’s Sirens II sample of Sirens by Adrian Younge
Grammy Award winning vocalist Bilal returned in 2015 with his second LP for the BBE label, In Another Life. No stranger to collaboration, having previously worked with the likes of Robert Glasper, Dr. Dre, J Dilla among others, Bilal’s 2015 long player was produced entirely by soul renaissance man Adrian Younge and featured guest vocals from Big K.R.I.T and hip hop man of the moment Kendrick Lamar. Reworking Younge’s ‘Sirens‘, taken from 2011 Wax Poetics LP Something About April and also previously heard on Jay Z’s ‘Picasso Baby’, this album opener displays perfectly why the marriage of Bilal’s unique vocal stylings and Younge’s retro production talents works so well.
It’s fair to say no end of year list would be complete without an appearance from Kendrick Lamar. It’s tough to chose a standout from this varied and accomplished LP, but the stellar album opener ‘Wesley’s Theory’ ticks a lot of boxes in terms of displaying what made this album so unique: guest appearances from both a veteran of the West Coast sound, George Clinton, and L.A’s new generation of icons, Thundercat. The all important choice of sample is a bold one – opening one of the year’s most anticipated albums with the unforgettable line “every n***er is a star”.
Earl Sweatshirt’s Grief sample of You Were Too Good to Be True by Gary Wilson
