By Your Side by Rod Wave - 038
which interpolates Hey There Delilah by Plain White T's
Hey there everybody, what’s it like in ——— whatever city you’re in?
Hopefully, it’s about to get a little better because it is FRIDAY and that means
MUSIC APPRECIATION TIME!
This week we have an interesting choice. The song was submitted as a sampled one, but after doing a little bit digging, it turns out it isn’t quite considered a sample. However, this provides an opportunity to talk about how it is different and the nuances and potential reasons behind it.
Have a listen and then a read below:
SONG
SAMPLE INTERPOLATION
SOME THOUGHTS
The key word this week is INTERPOLATION (wiki definition here). In essence, it is a sample in the sense that it is using someone else’s work. However, rather than having an actual sonic snippet, it is singing it instead. This could mean that either the artist didn’t clear the sample, they didn’t ask to clear it, or they just wanted to sing it.
Sampling, as a technique, initially became a thing because there were people that wanted to make music, but didn’t have the resources or funds to access a high quality studio. Enter the MPC. A small machine that was invented to be an all in one digital hardware studio that could sample records for the creation of music. At the time, the MPC sales weren’t too good and many machines ended up in used electronic stores, where many passionate future artists found them.
Using what they had (an MPC with a bunch of their parent’s soul records) versus what they wanted (a whole studio, a drum kit or expensive live equipment) they made music true to their hearts and their minds. Thus underground hip-hop and the first generation of bedroom producers were born. Much of their “sound” (vinyl crackle/chopped up parts/pitched up parts) was specific to their equipment. However, it has become something that people nowadays try to emulate. What was once a consequence of technological limitations (and a triumph of creativity) is now a novelty that people intentionally aim for.
This song is interesting because it sort of shows how sampling has evolved again. Before, it was a practice that was affordable and almost garage-y in how it allowed amateurs to express themselves. Nowadays, here’s this contemporary modern rapper that wants to sample, but maybe couldn’t clear it, so instead they’re singing it themselves. The song pays homage to the craft in a very intentional way and its kind of cool to track the history. It can be seen sampling after sampling.
All of this is to say, without an artist’s statement, it is hard to make judgements on their intention, however, this mental framework does allow for some novelty and more appreciation. To see things as they could be versus what they aren’t.
Thank you to Rod Wave for the new music!
Thank you to Plain White T’s for the old music!
Thank you to KI for the song recommendation this week.
and Thank you Mr. A for the song last week!
I haven’t been doing the Thank You’s for a bit, and I feel its time to go back.
NEXT WEEK:
I have a few songs lined up already, but if anyone is curious about sampling or wants a song featured, feel free to submit it!
Until Next Week,
MYKAAAAAA
BONUS:
as much as possible, I try not to completely rehash a concept if someone else has done good work on it. I am really JAZZED about the history of hip-hop music and samples so I had to ramble a little bit. Here is Vox doing a killer job explaining the magic visually. Have a watch if this sort of thing is interesting to you.