Afrobeats is one of the most popular genres of music in Africa and around the world. It has gained a lot of attention in recent years, and its influence on other genres is undeniable.
The nostalgic effect of sampling and music referencing in Afrobeats today, though amazing, isn’t spoken of enough, save for ignorant tweets about a certain Giant “stealing” or “copying” peoples’ music. Well this post isn’t about that. Here we’d be throwing more light on locally sourced samples and musical references.
Sampling and interpolation are two key elements that help to add new sounds and creative ideas to music.
Interpolation is the art of taking an existing melody and reworking it to create something new.
This year saw us witness the grand rise of these elements in mainstream Afrobeats music although they have been used a-lot in the past; notable mentions are Wani’s 2face Riddim and Odunsi’s Wetin Dey which sampled the Legendary tracks Keep on rocking by 2baba and Wetin Dey by Ruff Rugged N Raw respectively.
Blaqbonez’s most recent project, Young Preacher was the confluence of novel sounds and the unique twist of old songs. He refurbished age-old Nigerian R&B singles such as Runaway by Styl plus, Forever by Paul Play and 360° by Asa, giving them a modern Afrobeats vibe to fit his toxic narrative in Young Preacher, Loyalty and the outro song – I’d be waiting respectively.
Although I’m an ardent lover of hip hop and the techniques used, the nostalgic effect of these infusions were what caught my ears on first listen and have had me and other folks going back for more.
Zinoleesky’s Loving You is another example of sampling and interpolation in Afrobeats. The track samples the chorus of the classic Asa record Be My Man over an amapiano groove.
Ruger on his hit-track Asiwaju interpolates the melody of Area by one of Afrobeats greats, Sound Sultan (God rest his soul) giving a totally new meaning and appeal to it.
“You use mago mago get dough, your oyinbo wife don know” – SS
“As my laba laba just go, my oyinbo wife don show” – R.
Sound Sultan is the gift that keeps giving, his posthumous project, Reality CHQ features some of the most conscious songs in the industry today, these are very important as Nigeria goes into election season. Please give it a listen and do what is necessary.
Other noteworthy tracks are Dangerous Hearts by Runtown featuring Mr Hudson and Omoge Wa Jo (2022) by Cruel Santino & Lola.
The producer, Mystro samples the baseline and guitar riff from Sade’s iconic record The Sweetest Taboo and uses them as the foundation for Dangerous hearts. The sample is layered with Runtown’s vocals and additional instrumentals, creating a unique blend of modern afropop and an 80’s retro vibe.
Omoge Wa Jo (2006) by Sauce Kid featuring Mike Okri was also sampled this year by Cruel Santino and Lola in a song for Spotify Singles with a similar title. The 2022 version produced by Tochi Bedford, incorporates some unique and memorable elements from the 2006 track which itself is a spinoff from Omoge by Mike Okri released in 1989.
Leave a comment below or our social media sharing your favourite interpolations and sampling in afrobeats.
