18 Classic Songs That Were Sampled in Today's Biggest Hits

18 Songs You Didn’t Know Were Sampled in Your Favorite Hits

Ever heard a song and thought, "Wait, that sounds familiar"? That’s probably because some of the biggest hits out there borrow pieces from older, lesser-known tracks. Sampling has been a huge part of music, blending genres and generations to create something new. But often, the songs that get sampled don’t get the same love as the hit they’re part of. Let’s dive into 18 hidden gems that were sampled in your favorite tracks, connecting the old with the new in ways you might never have realized!

1. "Genius of Love" – Tom Tom Club

Sampled in: "Fantasy" by Mariah Carey

This funky, upbeat track from 1981 might sound familiar thanks to Mariah Carey’s iconic "Fantasy." The playful rhythm and guitar licks were key elements that transformed Carey’s track into a certified bop.

2. "La Di Da Di" – Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick

Sampled in: "Hypnotize" by The Notorious B.I.G.

A legendary old-school hip-hop song from 1985, Slick Rick’s storytelling in "La Di Da Di" found its way into Biggie’s "Hypnotize," turning a rap anthem into an even bigger hit.

3. "The Edge" – David McCallum

Sampled in: "The Next Episode" by Dr. Dre

This 1967 instrumental track might not ring a bell at first, but if you listen closely, you’ll recognize the eerie, cinematic melody that Dre flipped into a West Coast classic.

4. "Bennie and the Jets" – Elton John

Sampled in: "Pink + White" by Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean pulled an unexpected move when he sampled Elton John’s "Bennie and the Jets" in "Pink + White." Listen for the subtle piano elements that tie these two tracks together.

5. "I'm Too Sexy" – Right Said Fred

Sampled in: "Way Too Sexy" by Drake, Future, and Young Thug

Drake and co. took the cheeky 1992 anthem "I’m Too Sexy" and gave it a modern twist, turning the tongue-in-cheek bravado into a club-ready trap hit in 2021.

6. "SpottieOttieDopaliscious" – OutKast

Sampled in: "I Do" by Cardi B

The funky horns from OutKast’s "SpottieOttieDopaliscious" have shown up in several tracks, but Cardi B’s "I Do" puts a slick modern spin on this ‘90s classic.

7. "Footsteps in the Dark" – The Isley Brothers

Sampled in: "It Was a Good Day" by Ice Cube

Ice Cube’s laid-back anthem "It Was a Good Day" samples this slow jam from the Isley Brothers, turning a smooth soul track into a West Coast chill-out hit.

8. "Why Can’t We Live Together" – Timmy Thomas

Sampled in: "Hotline Bling" by Drake

Drake’s "Hotline Bling" has that signature minimalist beat, which is actually borrowed from Timmy Thomas’s 1972 track. The subtle rhythm helped shape one of Drake’s biggest hits.

9. "You’re the One for Me" – D Train

Sampled in: "Mo Money Mo Problems" by The Notorious B.I.G.

The high-energy chorus in Biggie’s "Mo Money Mo Problems" comes straight from this 1981 D Train track, giving the rap hit an unforgettable ‘80s flavor.

10. "What You Won’t Do for Love" – Bobby Caldwell

Sampled in: "Do for Love" by 2Pac

2Pac’s smooth "Do for Love" samples Bobby Caldwell’s silky-smooth classic, blending Caldwell’s soulful voice with Pac’s reflective lyrics for a timeless vibe.

11. "The Shining" – Ahmad Jamal

Sampled in: "Nikes" by Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean pulls from jazz great Ahmad Jamal’s "The Shining" for his trippy, atmospheric track "Nikes," blending modern sounds with a vintage touch.

12. "Thank You" – Dido

Sampled in: "Stan" by Eminem

Eminem’s haunting hit "Stan" wouldn’t be the same without the iconic chorus, which comes from Dido’s "Thank You." The sample perfectly complements the emotional intensity of the track.

13. "Take Yo' Praise" – Camille Yarbrough

Sampled in: "Praise You" by Fatboy Slim

Fatboy Slim’s feel-good hit "Praise You" draws from Camille Yarbrough’s soulful 1975 track, taking her powerful vocals and making them the backbone of this 1998 anthem.

14. "Between the Sheets" – The Isley Brothers

Sampled in: "Big Poppa" by The Notorious B.I.G.

The smooth, seductive vibe of Biggie’s "Big Poppa" comes from The Isley Brothers’ "Between the Sheets." The sample gives the track its signature laid-back groove.

15. "Gotta Learn How to Dance" – Fatback

Sampled in: "Good Life" by Kanye West

Kanye West’s "Good Life" borrows its upbeat energy from Fatback’s funky ‘70s track, blending retro vibes with Kanye’s modern-day swagger.

16. "Cola Bottle Baby" – Edwin Birdsong

Sampled in: "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" by Daft Punk

Daft Punk’s futuristic-sounding "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger" draws heavily from Edwin Birdsong’s funky 1979 track, giving an electronic twist to a disco classic.

17. "My Woman" – Al Bowlly with Lew Stone and His Monseigneur Band

Sampled in: "Bound 2" by Kanye West

Kanye West’s "Bound 2" flips a line from the 1932 song "My Woman" to create a nostalgic hook that contrasts with the track’s modern production.

18. "Love Sensation" – Loleatta Holloway

Sampled in: "Ride on Time" by Black Box

This disco anthem from Loleatta Holloway made waves in the ‘80s, and it was heavily sampled in Black Box’s "Ride on Time," one of the most iconic house tracks ever.

Music is a never-ending cycle of inspiration and reinvention. These 18 lesser-known tracks have played huge roles in creating the hits we know and love today. While we might jam out to the modern songs, it’s worth paying homage to the original tracks that laid the foundation for so many of our favorite beats. So next time you hear a familiar riff or melody, dig a little deeper—you might just discover a hidden gem from the past that shaped today’s biggest tracks.

Stay connected with Woke Waves for more playlists and musical discoveries!

#musichistory #samplesongs #classicsample #hiphopculture #playlist