The demise of sampling has been greatly exaggerated. We continue to see the art of sampling power many of the hits of today. Whether it’s trap or a trap-blend, sampling still remains a go-to for its sound and flavor. And what stands out about “Praise The Lord (Da Shine)” is that Skepta flips a sample from a Garage Band sample pack to drive the beat. Proving once again that sampling is not limited to just records while also demonstrating how creative the art form really is.
I should also add that, as I say in my book The Art of Sampling, there is an aesthetic value to vinyl records that many sample-based beatmakers prioritize. And while diggin in the crates, in the traditional sense, will always be linked first to vinyl records, we must remember that the underlying idea and motivation behind diggin’ isn’t just about using one particular audio format or recorded medium, it’s about the practice of mining/searching for new material to sample. In other words, diggin’ in the crates, both as a traditional idea and practice of hip hop, extends beyond any one audio format or recorded medium even though vinyl records unquestionably represent the foundation of diggin’.
The music and videos below are presented here for the purpose of scholarship.
A$AP Rocky — “Praise The Lord (Da Shine)” feat. Skepta