In today’s music scene, the power of nostalgia is stronger than ever. Many of today’s biggest hits borrow from classics we all know and love – flipping old-school soul, funk, R&B, rock, and hip-hop into something fresh for a new generation. From cheeky rap anthems to dancefloor pop bangers, here are 7 hit songs that secretly sample timeless tunes.
1. “Break My Soul” – Beyoncé (2022)
Samples: ‘Show Me Love’ – Robin S. (1993)
Beyoncé’s ‘Break My Soul’ is pure dancefloor joy, built on the iconic piano riff from Robin S.’s 1993 club classic ‘Show Me Love’. Those chunky keys and heavy bass instantly transport you back to the golden age of ’90s house, while Big Freedia’s vocals add an extra bounce.
Robin S. was thrilled, saying she felt ‘honoured and excited’ to hear her classic brought back for a new generation. The song hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 list, marking Beyoncé’s 8th solo chart-topper.
2. Super Freaky Girl – Nicki Minaj (2022)
Samples: ‘Super Freak’ – Rick James (1981)
Nicki Minaj flipped Rick James’s 1981 funk classic ‘Super Freak’ into a cheeky, modern rap anthem. Riding that instantly recognisable bassline (yes, the same one MC Hammer used in ‘U Can’t Touch This’), Nicki layered her bold, playful bars over the groove, giving the track both nostalgic pull and fresh energy.
Much like her hit ‘Anaconda’, which reworked ‘Baby Got Back’, this one cleverly reimagined a classic hook for a new era. This song made history for Nicki, becoming her first solo No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
3. Wockesha – Moneybagg Yo
Moneybagg Yo’s ‘Wockesha’ mixes tough rap with smooth ’80s R&B, built on DeBarge’s dreamy 1983 slow jam ‘Stay With Me’. If that piano sounds familiar, it’s because the same riff powered Biggie’s ‘One More Chance’ and Ashanti’s ‘Foolish’.
Moneybagg flips it into a bittersweet love story about his struggles with lean, giving the track both grit and emotion. The sample’s nostalgic pull hit hard, and when Ashanti later jumped on the remix, it felt like the perfect full-circle moment.
4. WusYaName – Tyler, The Creator
Samples: Back Seat (Wit No Sheets) – H-Town (1994)
Tyler’s 2021 track ‘WusYaName’ feels like stepping straight into a ’90s R&B time machine. He samples H-Town’s 1994 slow jam ‘Back Seat (Wit No Sheets)’, speeds it up, loops it, and that smooth groove becomes a fresh, catchy hook. The silky synths and smooth vibe set the scene, while Tyler adds his playful touch with flirty lines and witty style.
The original H-Town song was more of a cult favourite than a big chart hit, but the group is still best remembered for their smash ‘Knockin’ Da Boots’. By flipping one of their deep cuts, Tyler tips his hat to the golden age of R&B while keeping things fresh for today.
5. Contact – Daft Punk
Samples: “We Ride Tonight” – The Sherbs (1981)
Daft Punk’s “Contact” is the perfect grand finale to ‘Random Access Memories’. Opening with a soaring riff from The Sherbs’ 1981 track ‘We Ride Tonight’, it builds into a thrilling mix of pounding drums, roaring synths, and even real NASA mission audio. The result feels like pure lift-off – a cinematic rush that closes the album on a high.
For The Sherbs, longtime Australian rock favourites, the sample brought fresh attention to a hidden gem. And for Daft Punk, it was the album’s only sample, a conscious nod to rock’s anthemic past that fit beautifully with the record’s nostalgic spirit.
6. ‘Way 2 Sexy’ – Drake feat. Future & Young Thug (2021)
Samples: ‘I’m Too Sexy’ – Right Said Fred (1991)
Drake’s ‘Way 2 Sexy’ is a playful trap anthem built on Right Said Fred’s 1991 hit ‘I’m Too Sexy.’ The goofy club classic gets a heavy makeover, with Drake, Future, and Young Thug showing off over that unforgettable hook.
The flip paid off – the track shot to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, with fans loving its mix of humour, nostalgia, and heavy bass. Even Right Said Fred were all for it, calling it a thrill to see their ’90s classic find new life with a fresh generation.
7. ‘Big Energy’ – Latto
Latto’s breakout hit “Big Energy” rides the funky groove of Tom Tom Club’s 1981 classic “Genius of Love.” If the riff rings a bell, that’s because it’s been sampled everywhere – most famously in Mariah Carey’s ‘Fantasy’.
Latto gives the hook a modern, empowering twist, turning it into an anthem about confidence and charisma. The nostalgia clicked even harder when Mariah herself jumped on the remix, pushing the track into the Billboard Hot 100’s top 3.
From hip-hop samples of funky ’80s jams to pop remixes of ’90s club anthems, these seven modern hits show how sampling classic songs can create musical magic. Each of these tracks not only bangs in its own right, but also sparks recognition by channeling an iconic old-school hit.
The artistry of sampling lies in respecting the original and reinventing it, bringing out a new flavor that resonates today. On our BA (Hons) Music Production & Sound Engineering degree, you’ll cover modules like ‘Creative Production & Remix’, where you’ll master the craft of sampling to shape your own unique tracks. Beyond the classroom, we keep things fun with challenges like ‘Flip the Sample’, where you’ll go head-to-head with fellow students and even lecturers. Because for us, music education isn’t just about ticking boxes in a curriculum, it’s about sparking creativity, pushing boundaries, and having fun while you do it.
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