Jazz-rap, golden-age hip-hop, and new jack swing
1990s Sample Sources
The 1990s were when hip-hop began sampling itself. Early rap records from 1986 to 1992 entered the canon as sample sources in their own right. Jazz-funk, soul jazz, and the jazz-rap movement also produced a cluster of records that have been flipped into the next generation's beats. New Jack Swing drum programming and the smooth R&B sound of the early 90s created a distinct palette that later producers embraced.
90s hip-hop is now classic. Producers like Kanye West, Pharrell, and Just Blaze built their early careers on flipping 90s material. The loop-based production of 1993-1996 is itself now a dominant sample source.
Top sample sources from the 1990s
Pete Rock & CL Smooth -- They Reminisce Over You
1992 -- Hip-Hop / Jazz-Rap
What was sampled
Tom Scott saxophone loop
Sampled in
- 1998Mos Def -- Thieves in the Night
- 2000Common -- The 6th Sense
- 2002Talib Kweli -- Get By
Key producers
A Tribe Called Quest -- Electric Relaxation
1993 -- Jazz-Rap
What was sampled
Bass groove and piano
Sampled in
- 2006J Dilla -- Come and Get It
- 2000Slum Village -- Fall in Love
Key producers
Digable Planets -- Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)
1992 -- Jazz-Rap
What was sampled
Vocal hook and jazz bass
Sampled in
- 1996Jay-Z -- Dead Presidents II
- 1999Mos Def -- Ms. Fat Booty
Key producers
Souls of Mischief -- 93 til Infinity
1993 -- Hip-Hop
What was sampled
Trumpet melody (Roy Ayers flip)
Sampled in
- 2006J Dilla -- Climax
- 2007Kanye West -- Champion
Key producers
Nas -- NY State of Mind
1994 -- Hip-Hop
What was sampled
Piano loop (DJ Premier flip)
Sampled in
- 1996Jay-Z -- Dead Presidents
- 2012Kendrick Lamar -- m.A.A.d City
Key producers
Gang Starr -- Mass Appeal
1994 -- Hip-Hop
What was sampled
Jazz drum loop
Sampled in
- 2000Common -- The 6th Sense
- 1999Mos Def -- Travellin' Man
Key producers
Mary J. Blige -- Real Love
1992 -- New Jack Swing
What was sampled
Drum machine pattern
Sampled in
- 1998Jay-Z -- Can I Get A...
- 1994Notorious B.I.G. -- Who Shot Ya
Key producers
Portishead -- Glory Box
1994 -- Trip-Hop
What was sampled
Isaac Hayes sample re-flip
Sampled in
- 1998Massive Attack -- Teardrop
- 1996DJ Shadow -- What Does Your Soul Look Like
Key producers
Explore other decades
See the sample relationships in action
Goat Music builds Sample Tree videos -- source and derivative, played side by side -- so you can hear exactly how each flip transformed the original.