Do Pros Use Samples?

Of course, that’s why it’s so popular! In fact, there have been
many hit songs that used samples from old songs. Also, many
songwriters use loops to lay a “bed” for the rest of the music.
For example, some artists use drum loops to help them start
writing a song. Sometimes they end up keeping the loop in the
final mix...even though they have a real drummer playing also.
Samples have been around for many years (see our page on
the history of looping). Rock bands, soul groups, disco artists,
even country singers have used loops in some popular songs.
One of your favorite songs could even have samples in it and
you might not even know!

Who uses loops in their music? Well, from a music composer’s
stand point, nearly all current styles of popular music in the USA
and much of the rest of the world loop a phrase over and over to
create a song. Repetition of a few bars of music is a loop, even If
it is played by real musicians and not pre-recorded. But for our
purposes, this is not the way we use the term “loops.”

So who is using pre-recorded loops to make music? Today, nearly every artist & producer
in hip hop, R&B, pop and dance music uses samples & loops in more than a few songs.
Have you ever heard of Wyclef Jean, Shakira, Yung Joc, T.I., Rihanna, Cam’Ron, Ne-Yo,
Yo Gotti, Chamillionaire, Mary J. Blige, Avant, Jagged Edge, Gnarls Barkley, Teena Marie,
Mobb Deep, Dem Franchise Boys, Chris Brown, Jamie Foxx, Sean Paul, LL Cool J,
Bubba Sparx, E-40, Lil Wayne, Keyshia Cole, Prince, Anthony Hamilton, 2Pac, Fort Minor,
Mariah Carey, Ghostface Killah, Da Muzicianz, Jaheim, Urban Mystic, Kirk Franklin, Juvenile,
John Legend, The Black Eyed Peas, Young Jeezy, Mary Mary, Eminem, Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg,
Paul Wall, Three 6 Mafia, B.G., Bone Thugs & Harmony, T-Pain, Charlie Wilson, Raheem
DeVaughn, Kem, Uncle Luke, Heather Headley, Christina Milian, DJ Kool Herc, Wu Tang Clan,
Destiny’s Child, Missy Elliott, Outkast, Ciara, Lil John, Ginuwine, Alicia Keys, Lil Flip,
Yolanda Adams, Eric Benet, Kanye West, Talib Qweli, Jim Jones, Mike Jones, Nelly, Ludacris,
Remy Ma, Lil Kim, Tupac Shakur, Will Smith, T-Love, Tanto Metro & Devonte, Terror Squad,
3rd Bass, TLC, A Tribe Called Quest, Trick Daddy, Tru, MC Hammer, Melle Mel, Vanilla Ice,
Heavy D & the Boyz, Haystak, Hitman Sammy Sam, M.O.P., Mac 10, Master P, Method Man,
Redman, Tech N9ne, Eazy-E, EPMD, Eve, Xzibit, Zane, UGK, Uncle Kracker, Ultramagnetic
MCs, D12, De La Soul, Dead Prez, Dilated Peoples, Digable Planets, Petey Pablo, Sean Paul,
Public Enemy, Kid Rock, Kool Moe Dee, Kurupt, G-Unit, 50 Cent, DJ Kayslay, Fat Joe,
Gang Starr, Salt-N-Pepa, Scarface, Sisqo, Silkk The Shocker, Beastie Boys, Fabolous, Fugees,
Funkmaster Flex, Lost Boyz, Junior Walker & The Allstars, Jody Watley, Whodini, Ja Rule,
J-Kwon, Sir Mix-a-Lot, 2 Live Crew, Schooly D, Sugarhill Gang, Run DMC, Duke Bootee,
Fantasy 3, Fat Boys, DJ Divine & The Infinity Machine, Mikey D, K Rob, Triple Threat, Kurtis
Blow, Spoonie Gee, Mos Def,or Michael Jackson?
Sorry if we forgot to list your favorite, but we couldn’t fit ’em all!