Free Samples: Recent Episodes
Aaron Thompson
In this podcast, we connect the dots between popular songs and the samples they use. Free Samples is where you discover the songs that influenced your favorite artist Listening will give you a better understanding of sampling in popular music, uncover songs that you haven’t heard before, and learn the best samples behind your favorite songs. @freesamples_pod
In this episode you'll hear all of the samples used on Kid Cudi's debut 2009 album, Man on the Moon: The End of the Day.
Songs used in this epidsode:
Pursuit of Happiness by Kid Cudi
ABC Auto-Industry by Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
Simple As… by Kid Cudi
The Traitor by Menahan Street Band
Mr. Solo Dolo by Kid Cudi
My World by Kid Cudi
All What I Have by Le Système Crapoutchik
Poker Face (Live at the Cherrytree House Piano & Voice Version) by Lady Gaga
Make Her Say by Kid Cudi
Early Morning Love by Lou Rawls
Hyyerr by Kid Cudi
This episode covers the samples used by indie rock group Vampire Weekend.
Songs used in this episode:
A-Punk by Vampire Weekend
Diplomat's Son by Vampire Weekend
Hussel by M.I.A.
Let Down by Radiohead
Giving up the Gun by Vampire Weekend
Cudder is Back by Kid Cudi
Ottoman by Vampire Weekend
Who’s that Girl by YZ
Step to My Girl by Souls of Mischief
Step by Vampire Weekend
Please Go Easy With Me by S.E. Rogie
Rich Man by Vampire Weekend
Tonight by iLoveMakonnen
This Life by Vampire Weekend
God Yu Tekem Laef Blong Mi by Hans Zimmer
Hold You Now by Vampire Weekend
This episode covers the songs used on the second half of Kanye West's album, Graduation.
Songs used in this episode:
Flashing Lights by Kanye West
I Got Money by Jeezy
Can't Tell Me Nothing by Kanye West
Long (Live at Woodstock) by Red Mountain
Barry Bonds by Kanye West ft. Lil Wayne
Sing Swan Song by Can
Drunk and Hot Girls by Kanye West
If We Can't be Lovers by Prince Phillip Mitchell
Bring the Noise by Public Enemy
Everything I Am by Kanye West
Save the Country (Live) by Laura Nyro
The Glory by Kanye West
It's Gonna Be Lonely by Prince
Big Brother by Kanye West
This episode uncovers the samples used on the first half of Kanye West's 2007 album, Graduation.
Songs used in this episode:
Someone Saved My Life Tonight by Elton John
Good Morning by Kanye West
The Ruler's Back by Jay-Z
Kid Charlemagne by Steely Dan
Champion by Kanye West
Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger by Daft Punk
Stronger by Kanye West
My Song by Labi Siffre
I Wonder by Kanye West
P.Y.T. by Michael Jackson
Good Life by Kanye West ft. T-Pain
In this episode we take a closer listen to the samples used on Mac Miller's 2010 mixtape, K.I.D.S. Including songs like Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza and Nikes On My Feet.
Songs used in this episode:
Senior Skip Day by Mac Miller
Nikes On My Feet by Mac Miller
The Sweetest Pain by Dexter Wansel
The World is Yours (Tip Mix) by Nas & Q-Tip
The Spins by Mac Miller
Half Mast by Empire of The Sun
I've Told Every Little Star by Linda Scott
Knock Knock by Mac Miller
Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza by Mac Miller
Dream of You by Oscar Peterson & Milt Jackson
Tramp by Otis Redding & Carla Thomas
You're Getting a Little Too Smart by Detroit Emeralds
My Thang by James Brown
Hip 2 Da Game by Lord Finesse
Don't Mind If I Do by Mac Miller
Fireflies by Owl City
This episode covers the samples used in some of Rihanna's most popular songs including: "Don't Stop the Music" and "SOS."
Songs used in this episode:
Umbrella by Rihanna
Don't Stop the Music by Rihanna
Wanna Be Startin' Something by Michael Jackson
Soul Makossa by Manu Dibango
Cheers (Drink To That) by Rihanna
I'm With You by Avril Lavigne
Tainted Love by Gloria Jones
Tainted Love by Soft Cell
SOS by Rihanna
Live Your Life by T.I. ft. Rihanna
Dragostea Din Tei by O-Zone
Run This Town by Jay-Z ft. Rihanna & Kanye West
Someday In Athens by The 4 Levels Of Existence
This episode covers the samples used in Pusha T's 2018 album DAYTONA. It's produced by Kanye West and contains some great samples.
Songs used in this episode:
If You Know You Know by Pusha T
Twelve O'Clock Satanial by Air
Heart N' Soul by Booker T Averheart
The Games We Play by Pusha T
Politics as Usual by Jay-Z
Hard Piano by Pusha T
High as Apple Pie - Slice II by Charles Wright & Watts 103rd Rhythm Band
Come Back Baby by Pusha T
The Truth Shall Make You Free by King Hannibal
I Can't do Without You by George Jackson
Bumpy's Lament by Soul Mann & The Brothers
Santeria by Pusha T
Heart of the Sunrise by Yes
What Would Meek Do? by Pusha T
I Want to Make Up by 24-Carat Black
Infrared by Pusha T
In this episode I cover the best samples from J. Cole's latest album, The Off-Season.
Songs used in this episode:
95 South by J. Cole
Put Yo Hood Up by Lil Jon and The East Side Boyz
Punchin' the Clock by J. Cole
There's Something Missing by Double Exposure
100 Mil' by J. Cole
Pride Is the Devil by J. Cole
Can't Decide by Aminé
I'm So in Love With You by Brief Encounter
The Climb Back by J. Cole
Do It Again by The New Birth
Close by J. Cole
I Wonder Where Our Love Has Gone by Little Junior Parker
In this episode, we take a closer look at samples used by DJ Khaled, including songs from his new album KHALED KHALED.
Songs used in this episode:
All I Do Is Win by DJ Khaled ft. T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross
THANKFUL by DJ Khaled ft. Lil Wayne, Jeremih
Aint No Love in the Heart of the City by Bobby Bland
Maria Maria by Santana
Wild Thoughts by DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna, Bryson Tiller
For Free by DJ Khaled ft. Drake
Blow the Whistle by Too Short
Ms. Jackson by Outkast
Just Us by DJ Khaled ft. SZA
Layla by Derek and the Dominos
I DID IT by DJ Khaled ft. DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, Post Malone, Lil Baby
WE GOING CRAZY by DJ Khaled ft. H.E.R., Migos
Children of the Sun by Mandrill
In this episode, we take a closer look at samples used by Doja Cat. Including Freak and Streets.
Songs used in this episode:
Say So by Doja Cat
MOOO! by Doja Cat
Polkadots & Moonbeams by Wes Montgomery
Put Your Head on My Shoulder by Paul Anka
Freak by Doja Cat
My Angel by Harry Belafonte
Won't Bite by Doja Cat
Streets by Doja Cat
Streets is Callin' by B2K
What's My Age Again? by blink-182
Bottom Bitch by Doja Cat
Jump in the Line by Harry Belafonte
This episode covers the samples used on the second half of Kendrick Lamar's Grammy winning album DAMN.
Songs used in this episode:
LOVE. by Kendrick Lamar
HUMBLE. by Kendrick Lamar
Greatest by Eminem
LUST. by Kendrick Lamar
Knock Knock Knock by Rat Boy
XXX. by Kendrick Lamar
Get Up Offa That Thing by James Brown
Wah Wah Man by Young-Holt Unlimited
America by Bekon
American Soul by U2
Poverty's Paradise by 24 Carat Black
FEAR. by Kendrick Lamar
GOD. by Kendrick Lamar
End of the World by !llmind
Be Ever Wonderful by Ted Taylor
DUCKWORTH. by Kendrick Lamar
Ostavi Trag by September
Let the Drums Speak by The Fatback Band
Atari by Hiatus Kayote
This episode covers the samples used on the first half of Kendrick Lamar's Grammy winning album DAMN.
Songs used in this episode:
BLOOD. by Kendrick Lamar
DNA. by Kendrick Lamar
Marry Jane by Rick James
How Good is Your Game by Billy Paul
YAH. by Kendrick Lamar
Ha by Juvenile
ELEMENT. by Kendrick Lamar
Stormy by OC Smith
Don't Let Me Down by Fleurie
FEEL. by Kendrick Lamar
24K Magic by Bruno Mars
LOYALTY. by Kendrick Lamar
PRIDE. by Kendrick Lamar
The Heart pt IV by Kendrick Lamar
Discover how the Australian soul/r&b group Hiatus Kaiyote became the go-to sample for artists like Drake, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Chance the Rapper, Anderson .Paak, and Kendrick Lamar.
Songs used in this episode:
Breathing Underwater by Hiatus Kaiyote,
Earned It by The Weeknd,
Hiatus (Broadcast) by Chance the Rapper,
Fingerprints by Hiatus Kaiyote,
Without You by Anderson .Paak,
Molasses by Hiatus Kaiyote,
Building a Ladder by Hiatus Kaiyote,
Free Smoke by Drake,
Is there More by Drake,
More than a Woman by Aaliyah,
Atari by Hiatus Kaiyote,
DUCKWORTH. by Kendrick Lamar,
The World it Softly Lulls/Sphinx Gate (Live) by Hiatus Kaiyote
713 by The Carters
69 by Teyana Taylor
Borderline with my Atoms by Hiatus Kaiyote
Sister Nancy's song Bam Bam is the most sampled reggae song ever. This episode will explore different ways the song has been sampled and become legendary over the years.
Songs used in this episode:
Bam Bam by Sister Nancy
Bam Bam by The Maytals, Byron Lee, and the Dragonaires
Famous by Kanye West
Bam by Jay-Z ft. Damian Marley
The Basement by Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth
BOBBY by Logic
Do to Me by H.E.R.
This episode highlights the samples used in songs that protest racism, profiling, and the unjust policing system in America.
For every listen this episode gets from June 17-July 17, I will donate $1 to the National Police Accountability Project to promote the accountability of law enforcement officers and their employers for violations of the Constitution and the laws of the United States, to help fight systematic racism and bring justice to George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others.
Songs used in this episode:
"Fuck tha Police" by N.W.A
"The Boogie Back" by Roy Ayers Ubiquity
"Funky Drummer" by James Brown
"Fight the Power" by Public Enemy
"I Shot the Sheriff" by Bob Marley and the Wailers
"Sing a Simple Song" by Sly & The Family Stone
"Sound of da Police" by KRS-One
"Inside Looking Out" by Grand Funk Railroad
"Changes" by 2Pac
"The Way it Is" by Bruce Hornsby & The Range
"Set it Off" by Strafe
"Alright" by Kendrick Lamar
"Flowers of the Night" by David Freiberg, Paul Kantner, Grace Slick
This episode honors the late, great Bill Withers and his lasting impact on music.
Songs used in this episode:
Rosieby Bill Withers
Roses by Kanye West
Grandma's Hands by Bill Withers
No Diggity by Blackstreet ft. Dr. Dre & Queen Pen
Let Me Ride by Dr. Dre ft. Jewell & Snoop Dogg
Kissing My Love by Bill Withers
The Cut Off by J Cole
Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst by Kendrick Lamar
Use Me by Bill Withers
Player's Holiday by TWDY
Lovely Day by Bill Withers
This episode is the second part of 2 episodes dedicated to the samples used in Tyler, The Creator's Grammy winning Album, IGOR.
Songs used in this episode:
"A Boy Is A Gun" by Tyler, The Creator
"Bound" by Ponderosa Twins Plus One
"Bound 2" by Kanye West
"Today" by Czar
"Puppet" by Tyler, The Creator
"It's Alright With Me" by Part Time
"What's Good" by Tyler, The Creator
"Black Grass" by Bad Bascomb
"Hey Girl" by Cullen Omori
"Gone, Gone/Thank You" by Tyler, The Creator
"Fragile" by Tatsuro Yamashita
"Caramel" by Cluster
"I Don't Love You Anymore" by Tyler, The Creator
"Dream" by Al Green
"Are We Still Friends?" by Tyler, The Creator
"Let's Stay Together" by Al Green
This episode will cover the samples used on the first half of Tyler, The Creator's Grammy winning album "IGOR."
Songs used in this Episode:
"Igor's Theme" by Tyler, The Creator
"Attention" by Memory Band
"New Genius" by Gorillaz
"Get Down" by Nkono Teles
"I Think" by Tyler, The Creator
“Special Lady” by Bibi Mascel
“Hit It Run” by RUN DMC
"Running Out of Time" by Tyler, The Creator
"New Magic Wand" by Tyler, The Creator
“Vsichni Pracuji” by Bruchotin Automatic Band and Silhouettes 61
"I am So Lonely" by Bibi Mascel
This episode will make a full circle connection from the first sample to the last and introduce you to the group Rotary Connection.
Songs Used In This Episode:
- Memory band by Rotary connection
- Bonita Applebum by A Tribe Called Quest
- Killing Me Softly by The Fugees
- Killing Me Softly with His Song by Roberta Flack
- Today Won't Come Again by Donal Leace
- Hey Mama by Kanye West
- Drivin’ Me Wild by Common
- Lyrics to Go by A Tribe Called Quest
- Inside My Love by Minnie Ripperton
- Check the Rhyme by A Tribe Called Quest
- Baby, This Love I Have by Minnie Ripperton
This episode explores the influence of the Isley Brothers in Hip Hop and other genres. Their songs have been sampled by artists from coast to coast.
Songs in this episode:
Big Poppa - The Notorious B.IG.
Between the Sheets - The Isley Brothers
Dolly My Baby - Super Cat
That Lady - The Isley Brothers
"i" - Kendrick Lamar
Them Changes - Thundercat
Footsteps in the Dark - The Isley Brothers
It was a Good Day - Ice Cube
Receipt - Lil Wayne
Lay Away - The Isley Brothers
It's Your Thing - The Isley Brothers
From Kanye, to 1970’s Turkish rock bands, and everything in between.
“I Got The…” - Labbi Siffre
“My Name Is” - Eminem
“Kaleidoscope Dream” - Miguel
“Chase the Devil” - Max Romeo
“Lucifer” - Jay-Z
“New Slaves” - Kanye West
“Gyöngyhajú Lány” - Omega
“LVL” - A$AP Rocky
“A Beginners Guide to Destroying the Moon” - Foster the People
“Sundress” - A$AP Rocky
“Why Won’t You Make Up Your Mind” - Tame Impala
“Same Ol’ Mistakes” - Rihanna