Some cases of sampling are relatively simple, heavily sampling the entire framework of preceding tracks. It’s much easier to take something that’s already awesome and play it again with your name on it.” “As a creative tool, like, for someone to use a sample of an existing piece of music for their music, I think it’s an extraordinarily lazy artistic choice.The 80s and early 90s contain a significant series of moments in musical history that many endearingly and nostalgically refer to as Hip-Hop’s “Golden Age of Sampling.” During this time period, our modern conception of the art, maybe the crime, of incorporating previous pieces of music into one’s own composition and recording was born.īut does this notion of incorporating and building upon previous music indicate something uniquely innovative to the 1980s and 90s? Or is it, as rock producer Steve Albini proposes, indicative of something uniquely lazy?
The above video is an independent, collage-style documentary that provides comprehensive coverage of the sampling issue.
