Radio LBB: The Samples That Set the Songs Apart

Samples have featured in some of the biggest tracks from the last 40 years. Take ‘Funky Drummer’ by James Brown for example. The track’s drum break (improvised by Clyde Stubblefield) has been sampled in over 1,000 songs from some of the biggest artists including Public Enemy, N.W.A, Run-D.M.C. and more. 

More often than not, sampling can spice up a track whilst breathing a new lease of life into the sampled track itself. Whilst sampling has influenced all genres of music, it has become a staple element of hip hop and electronic music. 

This playlist comprises tracks that have sampled from Concord’s catalogue. Artists like The Emotions have been sampled by everyone from A Tribe Called Quest to Action Bronson, whilst The Blackbyrds are a frequent feature in electronic and hip hop with artists including N.W.A., Massive Attack and 2 Pac, all utilising them for their tracks. Even Will Smith, Cardi B, Beyoncé and Portishead have made use of Concord’s masters to build their hits. 

As well as including tracks that have used samples, we’ve paired them with the original classic Concord masters that they’ve sampled, from labels such as Fantasy, Fania, Stax, Vanguard and Savoy.