Ever caught yourself humming along to a chart-topper, completely unaware you’re actually vibing to a melody created decades ago? At pointblank Music School, we’re obsessed with breaking down how modern hits are crafted, including the clever sampling techniques that bring old sounds into new contexts. If you’re interested in learning how to create music that stands the test of time, our Music Production & Sound Engineering Degree will teach you all these techniques and more.
Let’s uncover seven brilliant moments when pop stars breathed new life into older tracks, creating something fresh while paying homage to music history.
1. Kanye West – “Stronger”
Kanye West’s massive 2007 hit “Stronger” skilfully incorporates elements from Daft Punk’s 2001 track “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger.” This fusion of hip-hop with electronic music created a bold, futuristic sound that dominated airwaves and influenced countless producers. The sample transformed the French duo’s robotic anthem into something entirely new whilst maintaining its essence.
2. Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”
When Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson created “Uptown Funk,” they tapped into the infectious groove of The Gap Band’s 1979 track “Oops Upside Your Head.” This clever sampling choice helped infuse their modern production with authentic funk sensibilities from the golden era, creating a perfect blend of nostalgic and contemporary sounds.
3. Drake – “Nice for What”
Drake’s 2018 hit “Nice for What” features chopped-up vocal samples from Lauryn Hill’s emotional 1998 track “Ex-Factor.” By repurposing Hill’s soulful delivery within a bouncy, uptempo framework, Drake created a fresh anthem while paying tribute to one of hip-hop’s most revered vocalists.
4. Lady Gaga – “Bad Romance”
Lady Gaga’s theatrical masterpiece “Bad Romance” contains subtle nods to classical music, with its haunting, baroque-style opening melody drawing inspiration from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Prelude and Fugue No. 24 in B Minor, BWV 869 from The Well-Tempered Clavier (1722). This blending of baroque influences from nearly 300 years ago with contemporary pop production showcases how musical inspiration can transcend centuries.
5. Dua Lipa – “Love Again”
For “Love Again,” Dua Lipa and her producers sampled a 1932 swing ballad—”My Woman” by Lew Stone & the Monseigneur Band featuring Al Bowlly. By looping the vintage string section into a modern dance-pop framework, they created a perfect marriage of old-world glamour and contemporary disco-house energy.
6. Doechii – “What It Is (Block Boy)”
Rising star Doechii’s breakthrough hit “What It Is (Block Boy)” cleverly reimagines elements from TLC’s iconic 1999 single “No Scrubs.” By putting her own confident spin on this Y2K classic, Doechii demonstrates how influential hooks can resonate with new generations while maintaining their own distinctive identity.
7. Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso”
Sabrina Carpenter’s cheeky hit “Espresso” gets its infectious bounce from an unexpected source—a royalty-free guitar loop from Oliver’s Power Tools Sample Pack III on Splice. Titled “104 Pop Loop Surf Dad Rhythm Lead C,” the sample brings sun-soaked, indie-pop energy to the track, laying the perfect foundation for Sabrina’s playful vocals. This smart production choice highlights how modern music-making embraces resources from all corners of the audio world, turning even the most modest musical elements into global hits.
Master the Art of Sampling at pointblank
Sampling isn’t just about borrowing sounds—it’s about understanding music history, respecting artistic heritage, and transforming existing elements into something uniquely yours. At pointblank Music School, we teach the technical skills and creative approaches needed to sample effectively and legally.
Whether you’re drawn to our Music Production & DJ Performance Degree or want to explore Music Production & Sound Engineering, our industry-expert lecturers will guide you through every aspect of modern music production—from finding the perfect sample to crafting a chart-ready hit.
Ready to create the next sample-based sensation? Check out our degree programmes and transform your passion into professional expertise.
Inspired?
Thanks to the dedication of our industry expert instructors, pointblank has earned a prestigious Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), placing us among the very best institutions. Whether you’re passionate about DJing, music production, sound engineering, vocal performance, software engineering, radio or songwriting – pointblank offers degrees or short courses in London, LA, Ibiza, and Online. No matter your location or aspirations, we are here to help make your dreams a reality.
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