From the early days of digital music production to the present, wind instrument samples have shaped the evolution of hip-hop. With roots in the intersecting communities of Black, Caribbean American, and Latinx groups in 1970s New York City, hip-hop was born from the socioeconomic realities of oppressed communities and quickly evolved to address those issues through percussive lyricism and genre-bending instrumentals. But unlike almost any other genre, hip-hop grew to encompass music, dance, fashion, and art, making it more of a cultural phenomenon than simply a genre. Hip-hop’s story is rich and complex, characterized by its grassroots beginnings, artistic innovation, and cultural impact. The integration of horn samples only reinforces hip-hop’s reputation as a boundless genre; it combines sounds often thought to be incompatible and blends them to make music as introspective as it is catchy and as innovative as it is imitative. With that said, join us as we explore the use of brass and woodwind horn samples in hip-hop throughout the years.
Why Use Samples?
Historically, brass and woodwind samples have been used to add depth, texture, and emotion to hip-hop tracks that would otherwise sound “flat.” The combination of wind instrumentals and drumbeats elicits a sense of nostalgia while simultaneously introducing the listener to a new way of listening to melodies they already know. The integration of these instrumentals adds a layer of familiarity to an unconventional style of music, triggering a feeling distinct from the one the listener would feel upon hearing, say, the original track from which the sample was taken. Often, brass samples are used to create a celebratory and triumphant sound, while woodwind samples lean into a more melancholy and introspective feeling. As a result of the genre’s extraordinary ability to blend the old and the new — much like how hip-hop culture is an amalgamation of identities and generational influence — horn sampling has become an integral part of hip-hop’s sonic palette.
Horn Samples in Hip-hop Through the Years
In hip-hop’s early years, when sampling emerged as a fundamental technique, producers often turned to funk, soul, and jazz records to source their samples. Horn sections in these genres provided rich and dynamic sounds that could be chopped, looped, and reconfigured to create new musical compositions.
Commonly known as the “golden age” of hip-hop, the ’90s were marked by remarkable artistic creativity and diversity. The emergence of influential record labels, such as Def Jam Recordings, Bad Boy Records, and Death Row Records, helped shape the sound and direction of hip-hop. Artists like Tupac Shakur, the Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, and Jay-Z became iconic figures, and their albums are now considered classics in the genre. Producers such as J Dilla, DJ Premier, and Pete Rock became known for their expert use of Akai MPCs to incorporate horn samples into their beats, providing melodic hooks that induced a sense of exigency.
“C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me)” by Wu-Tang Clan (1994)
“As Long as I’ve Got You” by the Charmels (1967)
Rapid technological advancements allowed musicians to expand and diversify their sampling methods. Producers like RZA from Wu-Tang Clan, who drew inspiration from martial arts movies and soul records, began to weave horn lines into his beats to create atmospheric soundscapes. Wu-Tang Clan’s “C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me),” a perennial favorite, samples the Charmels’ 1967 hit “As Long as I’ve Got You.” Listen for intermittent horn jabs that scoop into beat one of every other measure with chords that give “C.R.E.A.M.” a contemplative, out-of-the-box sound.
“Imaginary Places” by Busdriver (2002)
“Minuet” and “Badinerie” from “Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor” by Johann Sebastian Bach (circa 1721)
The 2000s brought a rapid advance in digital music production capabilities. This added flexibility enabled artists and producers to achieve a more distinct sound. “Imaginary Places” by Busdriver, featuring D-Styles, takes “Minuet” and “Badinerie” from Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor” and pairs them with lightning-fast vocals for four high-energy verses. If you don’t know this one, then you’ll be surprised how well the articulate flute line meshes with Busdriver’s vocals.
“3 Kings” by Slim Thug, Featuring T.I. & Bun B (2005)
“Secretary” by Betty Wright (1974)
Slim Thug’s “3 Kings,” featuring T.I. and Bun B, employs one of my favorite samples: Betty Wright’s 1974 hit, “Secretary.” Slim Thug uses the playful and infectious brass melody from “Secretary” to leverage his, T.I.’s, and Bun B’s witty lyricism in “3 Kings.” This sample is also present in “Lost and Found Freestyle 2019” by A$AP Rocky, Nigo, and Tyler, the Creator.
“American Dream” by the Game (2011)
“Genesis” by Justice (2007)
Similar to the way that Busdriver’s “Imaginary Places” makes use of a classic Bach suite, the Game’s 2011 hit “American Dream” incorporates Justice’s “Genesis,” a slowed version of the famous Godzilla soundtrack. “Genesis” opens with its own microsampling of the Godzilla theme, which the Game then takes and resamples throughout “American Dream.” You can hear the blending and bending of not two but three genres as you listen to the Game rap over Justice’s French-touch-ified Godzilla brass line.
“Houston Old Head” by A$AP Rocky (2011)
“High On Sunshine” by the 5th Dimension (1978)
Meanwhile, other 21st-century artists and producers drew inspiration from classic soul, jazz, and funk records for a more peaceful, nostalgia-driven sound. For example, A$AP Rocky embraces a soulful feel in “Houston Old Head,” which features a loop of the opening oboe melody from the 5th Dimension’s 1978 release, “High On Sunshine.” “Houston Old Head” pays homage to Houston’s hip-hop scene with elements of the city’s sound, supported by A$AP Rocky’s old-school flow. However, the quirky, double-reed sample might be the most whimsical sample of the group — its unique timbre is what makes “Houston Old Head” a true earworm, even for those who can’t tell their elbow from an oboe!
“Burfict!” by Danny Brown & JPEGMAFIA (2023)
“Procession of the Levites (Orchestral Prelude)” by Richard Smallwood with Vision (2001)
Today, most hip-hop addresses current events using pop-culture references and soundbites from TV shows, viral videos, video games, and popular ringtones. This further highlights the genre’s ability to recycle diverse musical elements and draws the genre further into a gray area. Still, artists like Danny Brown and JPEGMAFIA enjoy testing the boundaries of hip-hop, producing music with over-the-top production and strong brass samples on songs like “Burfict!” in 2023, which samples Vision’s performance of composer Richard Smallwood’s “Procession of the Levites (Orchestral Prelude)” and features an assertive brass opening.
Other high-profile artists use MIDI samples to achieve their desired sounds. Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow’s “INDUSTRY BABY” and Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar’s “family ties” (both released in 2021) are two songs that do this. This results from the rise of software-based instruments, allowing experienced and inexperienced producers to re-create horn sounds using virtual instruments and sample libraries.
Do It Yourself!
Sampling can often be more affordable than recording original music with live instruments, especially when you’re new to the game. By reimagining existing rhythms and melodies, you eliminate one of the most expensive aspects of recording music: studio costs. Save the time, energy, and money you’d spend organizing a studio session, and invest in gear that does it all!
You can access plenty of well-known samples using apps like Apple’s GarageBand (which is where you’ll find the flute-like panpipe melody sampled in A$AP Rocky’s “Praise the Lord (Da Shine)”). Perhaps you feel inclined to create samples of your own playing — and that’s cool, too! Here at Sweetwater, we offer an extensive collection of Band & Orchestra gear — from the beloved Bach TR200 intermediate trumpet to the stunning Azumi AZ3SRBEO-C concert flute with offset G key system, split E mechanism, and C-sharp trill key — that you can use to compose your catchy horn melodies.
If that’s not your speed, or if you’re looking for gear that allows for a bit more creative freedom, then check out the Audiomodern Loopmix Creative Loop Remixer, the Arturia Emulator II V synthesizer software instrument, and the TAL Software TAL-Sampler software sampler synthesizer. On the other hand, if you’re partial to old-school hardware and appreciate a straightforward, user-friendly design, then we recommend checking out the Korg Volca Sample 2 digital sample sequencer and the Elektron Digitakt 8-voice drum computer and sampler.
That’s a Rap!
Although we’ve merely touched upon the vast array of horn samples in hip-hop, we hope we’ve inspired you to explore the genre on your own. Perhaps you’re ready to give sampling a shot yourself! Browse our website or call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at (800) 222-4700 for expert advice as you begin your sampling journey.