Nigerian music, often known as Afrobeats, has had its moments in a variety of forms, including sampling. Sampling is the practice of repurposing elements of an existing song to create a new one. This might comprise snippets of instrumentals, a chorus, or a verse. Sampling reveals a cross-continental appeal, with musicians from all over the world using Nigerian tunes to produce music for international consumption.
The underlying link between classic and modern artists is amplified via sampling.
At its finest, sampling blurs the lines between new wave and nostalgia while fostering seamless international fusion across genres such as hip-hop and Afrobeats, pop and apala, and so forth. Here’s a look at some of Musicwormcity’s favorite Nigerian musicians.
- New song: “Sare” (2021) by Ayra Starr
Sample: “Orere Elejigbo” by Lijadu Sisters (1979)
Ayra Starr used a sample of the renowned Afrobeats duet Lijadu Sisters’ “Orere Elejigbo” to her first EP’s “Sare.” “The way guys carried Fela, that’s the same way I want to carry these ladies who worked so hard but whose names are forgotten,” the 18-year-old says. I’d like to bring them back into the discussion.”
2) New Song: “Freak Me” (feat. Tekno) (2018) by Ciara
Sample: “Before Nko” (feat. D’Prince) (2015) by Tiwa Savage
Ciara’s first excursion into Afrobeats resulted in the release of “Freak Me,” a collaboration with Tekno. The song bears a strong resemblance to Tiwa Savage’s “Before Nko” from her sophomore album, RED. Ciara subsequently acknowledged the song’s influence on social media, despite accusations that proper authorization was not granted for the sample prior to release. “Shout out to Tiwa Savage for the idea and sample in #FreakMe!” she wrote. She’s a monster! When I first heard the tune three years ago in Africa, I fell in love with it. It’s fantastic. #AfroWave”
3) New Song: “A Million” (feat. Quavo) (2019) by Veronica Vega
Sample: “Ise Oluwa Ko Seni Toye” (2000) by Musiliu Haruna Ishola
Veronica Vega samples the son of renowned Nigerian Apala musician Musiliu Haruna Ishola at the beginning of “A Million.” Following the release of this song, Ishola’s estate requested that the record be cleared before Vega could release the video. “I feel very privileged to be able to clear the sample, especially because of the message of God that was in the original record,” she said in a social media post later.
4) New song: “Let Nas Down” (2013) by J. Cole
Sample: “Gentleman” (1973) by Fela Kuti
J. Cole borrows the hook and riff from Fela Kuti’s “Gentleman” on “Let Nas Down,” which appears on his sophomore album. This exemplifies the cross-cultural appeal that samples contribute to. Fela Kuti is the most sampled Nigerian musician, and his influences can be heard in hip-hop superstars like Nas, Missy Elliot, and The Roots.
5) New song: “Hitman” (2020) by Kelly Rowland
Sample: “Mr. Follow Follow” (1976) by Fela Kuti
In 2020, the artist released “Hitman,” a song that borrows Fela Kuti’s catchy instrumentals from “Mr. Follow Follow.” The sacredness of the Nigerian classic was preserved as Rowland croons about a specific someone with whom she’s smitten, despite the fact that both tracks cover opposing subjects. “I salute Fela Kuti, the legend and icon that he is. The vocalist stated of the sample, “Oak played me this sample and I lost my mind.”
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