J. Cole is one of the most legendary artists in the hip-hop industry. His soulful beats, smooth rhymes, and unique style make him a favorite among fans of all ages. One of his biggest hits, ‘Power Trip,’ released in 2013, is a testimony of his excellent musical abilities, thanks in part to the song’s brilliant sample. In this blog post, we explore the history of ‘Power Trip’ and the song that J. Cole samples to create one of his most iconic tracks.
The History of Power Trip
J. Cole released ‘Power Trip’ on February 14, 2013, to massive critical acclaim. The song is a collaboration with R&B star Miguel and tells the story of a man’s obsession with a woman. What’s fascinating about ‘Power Trip’ is the way J. Cole crafted it. The song features a sample of a classic R&B tune that adds depth to the song. Many fans wondered about the source of the sample, and we’re here to answer that question.
The Sample
‘Power Trip’ samples ‘No More’ by American jazz musician Hubert Laws. The song appeared on Laws’ 1972 LP, ‘Morning Star.’ Laws is a critically acclaimed flutist who gained a massive following in the 70s with his soulful style and innovative approach to jazz music. Laws’ music influenced countless musicians, and ‘No More’ is one of his most iconic tracks.
The Elements J. Cole Sampled
One of the things that make ‘Power Trip’ special is the way J. Cole used the sample to create a unique sound. Let’s take a closer look at the individual elements J. Cole sampled to create the song.
The Flute Solo
J. Cole samples the iconic flute riff that appears throughout ‘No More.’ The riff is catchy and upbeat, and J. Cole uses it as the backbone of ‘Power Trip.’ The flute riff played by Laws is the song’s most memorable element, and J. Cole did an excellent job of incorporating it into his song.
The Drum Beat
Another critical element J. Cole sampled from ‘No More’ is the drumbeat. The drumbeat on ‘No More’ is unique, with a syncopated rhythm that adds depth to the song. J. Cole reproduced the beat perfectly, adding his flair to it to make it stand out in ‘Power Trip.’
The Chorus Vocals
The final element that J. Cole samples from ‘No More’ is the chorus vocals. The chorus on ‘No More’ features a group of singers singing the title of the song. J. Cole samples the chorus and uses it as the refrain for ‘Power Trip.’ The chorus is catchy and adds a layer of soul to the song.
The Significance of J. Cole’s Sampling
J. Cole’s sampling of ‘No More’ was significant for several reasons. First, the sample illustrates J Cole’s deep respect for the history of music. ‘No More’ is an iconic R&B song that paved the way for artists like Miguel and J. Cole. By sampling the song, J. Cole pays tribute to the legacy of musicians like Hubert Laws.
Second, J. Cole’s sampling of ‘No More’ highlighted the importance of sampling in modern music. Sampling has been a crucial element in hip hop since its inception, and J. Cole uses it effectively in ‘Power Trip.’ By sampling a classic track and infusing it with his style, J. Cole created a piece of art that resonated with a new generation of music listeners.
Conclusion
‘Power Trip’ is one of J. Cole’s most beloved songs, thanks in part to the sample he used to create it. Sampling is a crucial component of modern music, and J. Cole uses it to great effect in ‘Power Trip.’ The sample he used, ‘No More’ by Hubert Laws, is an iconic R&B tune that paved the way for modern artists. By sampling it, J. Cole pays tribute to the past while creating a unique sound that resonates with new audiences. ‘Power Trip’ is a testament to J. Cole’s musical abilities and his respect for the history of music.
FAQ
What song is sampled on J. Cole?
J. Cole, a well-known American rapper and singer, has released several hit songs over the years. One of his most popular songs is ‘Can’t Get Enough’ featuring Trey Songz, which received widespread commercial success upon its release. The song also garnered critical acclaim for its melodic beat and memorable lyrics.
But what many people may not know is that ‘Can’t Get Enough’ samples a classic African song called ‘Paulette’ by Balla Et Ses Balladins. The song was first released in 1969 and has since become a well-known classic in West Africa. The melodic guitar riff and upbeat rhythm have been used in various musical compositions over the years.
J. Cole’s producers, Brian ‘BZar’ Zarley and Pop Wansel, cleverly incorporated the ‘Paulette’ sample into ‘Can’t Get Enough,’ creating a fusion of African rhythms with contemporary hip-hop beats. The sample is used throughout the song, providing a catchy hook and an infectious groove.
While ‘Paulette’ may be an obscure song to many Western audiences, the use of African samples in hip-hop is not a new phenomenon. African music has had a significant impact on the development of hip-hop, with many iconic rap songs borrowing heavily from African rhythms and melodies.
‘Can’T Get Enough’ is a prime example of how African music has influenced modern hip-hop. By sampling ‘Paulette,’ J. Cole created a memorable tune that melds different musical styles into a cohesive whole. The use of African samples in hip-hop is a testament to the enduring power of African music and its ability to inspire new musical forms.
What music is sampled for Big Energy by Latto?
Latto’s hit song ‘Big Energy’ samples a classic track from the 1980s, ‘Genius of Love’ by Tom Tom Club. This song was released in 1981 and quickly rose to popularity due to its infectious beat, catchy chorus, and innovative use of sampling.
‘Genius of Love’ features an eclectic mix of musical elements, including funk, R&B, and rap. The song’s producers, husband and wife team Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth, were both members of the iconic band Talking Heads and were known for their experimental approach to music. For ‘Genius of Love’, they combined a funky bassline with synthesizers and electronic drums, creating a dancefloor-friendly sound that was ahead of its time.
This sound was later sampled by many other artists, including Mariah Carey, Grandmaster Flash, and Tupac Shakur. In ‘Big Energy’, Latto uses a portion of the chorus from ‘Genius of Love’ as the basis for her own catchy hook. The sample is prominent throughout the song and adds a fun, nostalgic feel to the upbeat track.
Sampling is a common practice in hip-hop and other genres, and it allows artists to pay homage to influential musicians while also creating something new. By using a sample of ‘Genius of Love’ in ‘Big Energy’, Latto is tapping into a rich musical history and putting her own spin on a classic sound. The song has been a massive success, reaching the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earning critical acclaim for its catchy melody and upbeat energy.
What is sampled on forbidden fruit?
“Forbidden Fruit” is a song by J. Cole featuring Kendrick Lamar, released on Cole’s album “Born Sinner” in 2013. The song contains a sample from Jay-Z’s “Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love)”, which was produced by Kanye West.
The sample used in “Forbidden Fruit” is taken from the chorus of “Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love)”, which features a vocal sample of Bobby Bland’s “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City”. Jay-Z’s version was released in 2001 as a single from his sixth studio album, “The Blueprint”. The song has been widely praised for its production, which samples the original track’s soulful hook and adds hard-hitting drums and a catchy horn riff.
J. Cole’s use of the sample in “Forbidden Fruit” is particularly interesting as it features a verse from Kendrick Lamar, who has been compared to Jay-Z in terms of his lyrical abilities and storytelling. The song also features a jazz piano riff, which creates a unique and distinct sound that stands out from other contemporary rap tracks.
“Forbidden Fruit” is a perfect example of how contemporary hip-hop artists are often influenced by their predecessors, both in terms of their lyrical content and their use of samples. The use of samples in particular is a trademark of hip-hop, and this song is a great example of how a classic sample can be reworked and given a new lease of life.
What is the most sampled lyrics?
Sampling in music is the process of taking a portion or extract from another musical recording and using it as a part of a new composition. It’s an essential part of the music industry, and many popular songs have samples from other artists. But when it comes to the most sampled lyrics in music, the clear winner is “Amen, Brother” by The Winstons.
The song “Amen, Brother” is a six-minute track with a drum break in the middle, which happened to become one of the most popular samples in music. The cut titled “Amen Break” is a 6-second portion of the drum solo in “Amen, Brother,” and it’s been sampled in over 1,500 songs and tracks in different music genres like rock, hip-hop, pop, and electronic music since it was first recorded in 1969.
The Amen Break was first recognized as a sample when it was used by an artist called “The Power” in 1987. Since then, the sample has become one of the most used and recognizable drum samples in music history. It has been used by artists such as N.W.A, Oasis, Led Zeppelin, and countless others.
According to the data collected by WhoSampled, which is a website dedicated to cataloging and tracing the use of samples in music, The Amen Break is by far the most used sample ever. As of 2021, it has been used in 1,583 songs listed in their database. The second-most sampled song is “Funky Drummer” by James Brown, with only 12% of the uses of the Amen Break.
Although the most sampled lyrics might not have any actual words, “Amen, Brother” by The Winstons continues to hold the title of the most sampled track ever. Its six-second drum break, known as the “Amen Break,” has been used in over 1,500 songs, making it an essential part of music history.
What is Big Big Energy sampled from?
“Big Energy” is a popular song by American rapper Latto, released in 2021. The song has gained significant popularity due to its catchy beat, impressive rap lyrics, and overall energetic vibe. One of the unique features of “Big Energy” is its use of a sampled hook from Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy (Bad Boy Fantasy)” featuring Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
“Fantasy (Bad Boy Fantasy)” was released in 1995 and went on to become one of Mariah Carey’s most successful tracks. The song features a catchy, upbeat melody and an iconic verse by Ol’ Dirty Bastard that has since been frequently sampled in the hip-hop world. Latto’s use of the “Fantasy” hook adds a new dimension to “Big Energy” and contributes to the song’s success.
The use of samples is a common practice in the music industry, particularly in hip-hop. It involves incorporating pre-existing music or sound recordings into new compositions. Samples can come from a wide range of sources, including other songs, movies, speeches, and various sounds.
In the case of “Big Energy,” Latto’s use of the “Fantasy” sample has helped to create a unique sound and enhance the overall energy of the song. It serves as a reference to an earlier era of hip-hop music and highlights the ways in which modern artists pay homage to their predecessors.
“Big Energy” by Latto has gained popularity for its energetic beat, impressive lyrics, and innovative use of a sampled hook from Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy (Bad Boy Fantasy)” featuring Ol’ Dirty Bastard. The use of samples in music is a common practice that has been used to create some of the most iconic songs in history.
Did Latto steal Mariah Carey’s song?
The question of whether Latto stole Mariah Carey’s song revolves around her 2021 hit “Big Energy,” which shares a similar groove with Mariah Carey’s 1995 hit, “Fantasy.” Both songs drew inspiration from the Tom Tom Club’s “Genius of Love,” a 1981 hit that has been the basis for countless songs in the decades since.
The idea of musical theft is a complex one in the music industry, as artists frequently build upon the works of their predecessors and contemporaries, sometimes inadvertently creating songs that sound similar to existing hits. While Latto’s song “Big Energy” and Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy” may share a similar backbone, it’s important to remember that Latto and her team likely drew inspiration from a variety of different sources when creating the song.
Additionally, Latto’s song has been a contentions issue because “Fantasy” is a beloved fixture in popular culture, and many music fans may feel protective of it. Nevertheless, the use of samples and musical inspirations is a long-standing tradition in hip-hop and other genres, and in many cases, artists obtain official clearance to use these elements in their work.
While it’s possible that Latto’s “Big Energy” may sound similar to Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy,” it’s ultimately up to each listener to decide whether or not this constitutes theft. What’s clear is that both songs are based on the rhythm of the Tom Tom Club’s “Genius of Love,” and that Latto and her team likely drew from a wide range of influences when crafting their song. the question of whether or not Latto stole Mariah Carey’s song is a matter of perspective, and a reminder of the complex nature of artistic inspiration and originality.