Level of Education of Students Involved

Undergraduate

Faculty Sponsor

Dr. Joseph Bognar

College

Arts and Sciences

Discipline(s)

Ethnomusicology, Sound Technology Studies, Popular Music Studies

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Symposium Date

Spring 2024

Abstract

Sampling practices in Hip-Hop have undergone a transformative journey from the 1990s-2000s to the late 2010s-2020s. Delving into whether this transformation has positively or negatively impacted the quality and crux of what Hip-Hop music constitutes is rather ambiguous. Critiquing the artistic interpretation of a producer's sample-based song is rather subjective, however, analyzing the practical elements such as sampling techniques, production processes, and critical reception, allows for an enhanced academic perspective. While researchers have heavily discussed ethical, legal, and economic considerations of samples through qualitative analyses and quantitative studies, this study provides a hybrid framework, to critique the practical applications of the effectiveness of sample utilization and uncover the strain, coherence, and integrity of the composition itself. This study also reveals the influences and techniques that have crafted the contemporary rules of sample-based production in Hip-Hop. This exploration not only unveils the technological advancements from analog to digital, but also explores the importance of contemporary artistic freedoms, modern legality restrictions, and cultural changes that interweave to birth new standards and shift the dynamics in the art of sampling. Through a comprehensive analysis and critique of key producers, Madlib (1990s) and Metro Boomin (2010s-2020s), my research contributes to a deeper conversation of how sampling techniques of the 1990s have influenced and cultivated the creative process and key narratives in the 2010s-2020s Hip-Hop landscape.

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Reiana K. Thomas is a senior Music major at VU. With previous sound design and music production experience, at IRCAM in Paris, France, she has a deep passion for exploring the evolution and boundaries of sound technology. Reiana aims to contribute a nuanced understanding of Hip-Hop sampling through this comparative study. Her future goals are to create musique concrète pieces that blend digital and analog elements while also recording classical works to expand her musical profile.

Download

Share

COinS