If you can take a song that is a classic and turn it into another classic, then you, my friend, have mastered the art of sampling. And no one seems to do it better than Kanye West. Let’s take a look at 25 surprising samples Kanye has used over the years.
“Mystery of Iniquity” by Lauryn Hill
Sampled for: “All Falls Down”
“Home is Where the Hatred Is” by Gil Scott Heron
Sampled for: “My Way Home”
“Tony’s Theme” by Giorgio Moroder (from “Scarface”)
Sampled for: “Mercy”
“P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” by Michael Jackson
Sampled for: “The Good Life”
“It’s Gonna Be Lonely” by Prince
Sampled for: “Big Brother”
“Under Mi Sensi” by Barrington Levy
Sampled for: “I Don’t Like (Remix)”
“Wildflower” by Hank Crawford
Sampled for: “Drive Slow”
“Little Child Runnin’ Wild” by Curtis Mayfield
Sampled for: “Flashing Lights”
“Kid Charlemagne” by Steely Dan
Sampled for: “Champion”
“Standing on Higher Ground” by Alan Parsons Project
Sampled for: “Paranoid”
“Avril 14th” by Aphex Twin
Sampled for: “Blame Game”
“It’s Your Thing” by Cold Grits
Sampled for: “Power”
“My Song” by Labi Siffre
Sampled for: “I Wonder”
“Sing Swan Song” by Can
Sampled for: “Drunk and Hot Girls”
“Today Won’t Come Again” by Donal Leace
Sampled for: Hey Mama
“Memories Fade” by Tears for Fears
Sampled for: “Coldest Winter”
“Distant Lover” by Marvin Gaye
Sampled for; “Spaceship”
“She’s My Baby” by The Mojo Men
Sampled for: “Hell of a Life”
“Nuff a Man Dead” by Supa Cat
Sampled for: “Good Night”
“If We Can’t Be Lovers” by Prince Phillip Mitchell
