Questlove on the History of Sampling, From Public Enemy to Today: ‘I See AI as a Parallel to Sampling Culture’
On the latest episode of Billboard On the Record, the multi-hyphenate talks his new Earth, Wind & Fire documentary, sampling's evolution and the birth of hip-hop.
Questlove, a multi-talented musician and music historian, has made a name for himself through his work in films, DJing, and as a member of The Roots. The Roots, an iconic group, has both sampled and been sampled by artists such as Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Wale, and Logic. Questlove believes that sampling works due to the concept of community-driven creation and the emotional connection it fosters.
The practice of sampling has been a cornerstone of hip-hop and dance music since the latter half of the 20th century. However, its history has not been without challenges, particularly during the 1988-1991 period when it was considered a "Wild West" with no policing. This era of unrestricted sampling came to an end when Biz Markie faced copyright infringement litigation, leading to new rules that introduced logistical and financial barriers.
In the latest episode of Billboard On the Record, Questlove discusses the history of sampling and explores how emerging trends like microchopping, catalog sales, and generative AI may present new opportunities or risks to the art form.
Written by urgent.news from Billboard's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
