What Is Music Sampling?

If you’re an emerging artist, producer or songwriter, understanding how to use samples creatively (and legally) can open up a world of musical potential.

8/18/20255 min read

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From Kanye West to The Prodigy, music sampling has shaped some of the most iconic tracks of the last few decades. But what is music sampling, and how does it work? If you’re an emerging artist, producer or songwriter, understanding how to use samples creatively (and legally) can open up a whole new world of musical potential.

This guide breaks down the basics of music sampling: what it is, why artists use it, its roots in hip-hop and electronic music, and what you need to know before adding a sample to your next release.

What Is A Music Sample?

Music sampling is the act of taking a section of an existing recording (such as a drum beat, vocal line, melody, or even a spoken word snippet) and reusing it in a new musical composition.

This sample might be looped, chopped, sped up, slowed down or heavily processed, creating something entirely fresh. Sometimes the original sample is recognisable, other times it’s almost untraceable. But at its core, sampling is about borrowing sound to build something new.

A Brief History of Sampling

Sampling emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s, largely driven by hip-hop DJs in New York who used turntables to loop breaks from funk and soul records. These looped sections became the foundation of early rap beats.

As technology evolved, so did the art. Drum machines like the Roland TR-808 and samplers such as the Akai MPC allowed producers to capture and manipulate sounds digitally. This unlocked the golden era of sampling, think Public Enemy, Dr. Dre, and The Beastie Boys, where entire records were constructed using fragments of older songs.

The 1990s saw artists like The Chemical Brothers, DJ Shadow, and Moby taking sampling into new genres, while more recently, producers such as Kanye West, J Dilla, and Fred again.. have shown how sampling can be emotional, cinematic, and deeply innovative.

Why Do Artists Use Samples?

Sampling isn’t just about convenience; it’s a powerful creative tool. Artists sample for several reasons:

To pay homage to music they love
To recontextualise a sound in a new genre or mood
To enhance texture and atmosphere with vintage tones
To introduce familiarity into an otherwise unfamiliar composition

A well-chosen sample can give your track depth, nostalgia, or a sense of cultural reference that resonates with listeners. It can also help bridge the gap between generations, genres and regions.

Famous Examples of Sampling in Music

Kanye West – Stronger

Kanye West’s ‘Stronger’ is one of the most famous examples of sampling in mainstream music. The track is built around a prominent sample from Daft Punk’s 2001 electronic anthem ‘Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger’. Rather than simply looping the original, Kanye recontextualised the robotic vocal hook into a hip-hop framework, adding harder drums, emotive lyricism, and a futuristic aesthetic.

Notably, he didn’t just take the audio; he also leaned heavily into the Daft Punk visual style in the music video, helping to reintroduce the French duo to a new generation. The collaboration was formally cleared, and Daft Punk were credited, which boosted the original’s popularity as well.

The exposure from ‘Stan’ helped ‘Thank You’ become a huge hit in its own right. The pairing of Eminem’s gritty narrative with Dido’s soft, melancholic vocals created a unique contrast that has rarely been matched in hip-hop since. Stan is now often cited in both legal and artistic discussions of sampling due to how powerfully it wove the borrowed material into a completely new emotional story.

The Verve – Bitter Sweet Symphony

Perhaps one of the most infamous sampling stories in music history, ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’ by The Verve serves as a cautionary tale. The song sampled an orchestral version of The Rolling Stones’ track ‘The Last Time’, arranged by Andrew Oldham in 1965. The Verve had originally cleared a licence to use a short portion of this version, but they ended up using more than had been agreed, with the label accusing them of also stealing the song's melody. As a result, the rights holders, ABKCO Records, sued the band.

‘Stronger’ became a chart-topping hit globally, showcasing how creative sampling can lead to massive commercial success when it’s done properly.

Eminem – Stan

Eminem’s haunting 2000 single Stan features a sample of British singer Dido’s Thank You, which serves as the chorus and emotional centre of the song. The sample wasn’t initially cleared when the track was first recorded, leading to a tense moment between Eminem’s label and Dido’s management. However, after hearing the song and understanding its context (a fictional letter from a fan spiralling into obsession), Dido approved the use, and the sample became one of the most iconic parts of the record.

The outcome was severe: songwriting credit was handed over to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, and The Verve lost all royalties from their song, despite having written the lyrics and structure themselves. It wasn’t until 2019 (more than 20 years later!) that the rights were finally returned to The Verve’s frontman, Richard Ashcroft. The case remains a defining example of how failing to fully clear a sample can lead to losing creative control and income, even on a global hit.

Sampling vs. Interpolation

It’s important to note the difference between sampling and interpolation. Sampling uses a direct snippet of the original recording. Interpolation involves recreating a part of a song (like re-singing a melody or replaying a riff) without using the original audio.

Interpolation is often easier to clear legally, since it avoids negotiating with the master rights holder. However, you’ll still need permission from the songwriters or their publishers.

The Legal Side of Sampling

Here’s the part that often catches newer artists out. If you sample a song and plan to release it publicly, especially on streaming platforms or for commercial use, you must clear the sample. This means getting permission from:

The owner of the master recording (usually a label)
The owner of the composition rights (usually a publisher)

Failing to clear a sample could result in your track being removed, demonetised or subject to legal action. High-profile lawsuits, like the ones involving ‘Blurred Lines’ or ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’, are proof that copyright holders take these issues seriously.

There are some legal exceptions, such as royalty-free sample packs and public domain recordings, but even here, it’s important to read the fine print.

What About Fair Use?

In the UK and most countries outside of the United States, “fair use” doesn’t apply to commercial music sampling in the same way. UK copyright law is more restrictive, meaning that even short or heavily altered samples still require clearance if they’re identifiable.

Don’t rely on the assumption that changing a sample slightly makes it safe. If it’s recognisable, it needs permission.

Can You Sample Without Legal Issues?

In short, yes… as long as you do it properly. Some ways to sample safely:

Use royalty-free sample libraries from trusted sources like Splice, Loopmasters or Tracklib
Purchase sample clearance rights through platforms that offer pre-cleared material
Create your own samples by recording unique sounds, vocals or instruments
Use public domain recordings, but verify they’re truly free of copyright

Tracklib is an interesting platform in this space. It offers real, licensed music from decades past that can be legally sampled for a fixed price. Artists like J. Cole and Madlib have used Tracklib to avoid the complexities of traditional clearance processes.

Use Samples Wisely

Sampling is one of the most dynamic and expressive tools in modern music. It connects the past with the present, giving new life to sounds that might otherwise be forgotten. But with great power comes responsibility… especially when it comes to legal clearance.

If you're planning to release music that includes samples, take the time to understand the creative and legal process. Done right, sampling can elevate your music, enrich your storytelling and introduce your listeners to a wider sonic universe.