A-Trak Goes Off On Twitter Thread About Hip-Hop Sampling In 2023

A-Trak is reflecting on the evolution of the art of sampling.

In a Twitter thread over the weekend, the producer/DJ/all-around industry titan—whose extensive catalog includes work with Kanye West, Kid Sister, Danny Brown, and many more—opened with his observation that it’s time to “accept that sampling has deeply changed” in both house and rap music.

Adding to this, the Fool’s Gold co-founder noted, is that the very intent behind sampling has also arguably undergone a similarly discussion-spurring overhaul.

Sampling is now “way more surgical” than in the past, A-Trak highlighted; simultaneously, there’s been a move toward fully “showcasing” any given sample, particularly in the house genre.

“[T]he way I interpret it is: nowadays using a sample is a way to say ‘I’m bringing back that feeling!!!’” A-Trak said. “[A]nd the producers actually WANT to show what they used, because it’s tied to a sort of authenticity. It’s kinda flipped upside down.”

Turning his observations to rap, A-Trak pointed to the ongoing debate about “whether it’s ok” to sample another song from 20 years ago. Here, A-Trak makes a point to acknowledge both sides of this argument, while also sharing his own opinion that “in general sampling in rap has gotten pretty predictable.”

From there, the Grammy-nominated artist—who earlier this year linked with Ric Wilson and Chromeo for the Clusterfunk project—pointed to what he considers “a few bigger problems,” including ever-widening access and “very defined lanes.”

See A-Trak’s full rundown of sampling-focused observations below. Worth noting, as A-Trak himself did near the top of the thread, is that these observations are coming from someone who’s “very pro-sampling.” Thus, there’s no need to view any of this as a condemnation.