The Best Soul Music to Sample
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The Best Soul Music to Sample – This blog post explores some of the best soul music to sample for your next project. From classic tracks to modern hits, there’s something for everyone.
What is Soul Music?
Soul music is a genre that originated in the United States in the 1950s. It combines elements of African-American gospel music, rhythm and blues, and sometimes jazz. The term “soul” Referring to African-American popular music culture was first used in the late 1950s by writer and producer Jerry Wexler.
The commercial success of rhythm and blues records by artists such as Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, and Muddy Waters in the late 1950s and early 1960s helped to lead the way for soul music. After the breakthrough of James Brown’s “Please, Please, Please” in 1956, Brown became one of the most sampled artists in hip hop.
Soul music was one of the first genres of music to be sampled extensively by hip hop producers. The genre has been an important part of hip hop since its beginnings and has been influential on other genres as well.
The History of Soul Music
In the 1950s and early 1960s, rhythm and blues (R&B) developed as a distinct musical genre from gospel music, bringing together artists such as James Brown, Ray Charles andAretha Franklin. Brown’s soulful, syncopated singing style laid the foundations for many subsequent genres of black popular music including funk, hip-hop and dance music.
During the 1970s, soul music became more politically charged, with artists such as Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder writing songs that tackled social issues such as racism, poverty and drug abuse. Gaye’s 1973 album What’s Going On is often cited as a watershed moment in soul music, while Wonder’s 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life is considered one of the greatest albums of all time.
In the 1980s and 1990s, some soul artists incorporated elements of contemporary R&B into their music resulting in a style known as neo-soul. Artists such as D’Angelo, Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill helped to redefine soul music for a new generation.
Today, soul music is enjoying something of a renaissance thanks to a new wave of talented performers like Aloe Blacc, Leon Bridges and Mayer Hawthorne.
The Best Soul Music to Sample
If you’re looking for some great soul music to sample, here are some of the best options. From Marvin Gaye to Aretha Franklin, there’s a wide range of artists to choose from. And, because soul music is so rich and textured, it can provide a great foundation for your own music. So, if you’re looking for some great soul music to sample, check out the options below.
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye is often cited as one of the greatest soul musicians of all time, and for good reason. His unique blend of R&B, pop, and jazz made him a legend in the music industry, and his string of hits throughout the 1960s and 1970s cemented his place in history. Some of his most iconic songs, such as “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “Let’s Get It On,” have been sampled by some of the biggest names in hip hop, including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Kendrick Lamar. If you’re looking for some soulful samples to add to your tracks, look no further than Marvin Gaye.
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin is considered one of the best soul music artists of all time. She has achieved commercial success with hit songs like “Respect” and “I Say a Little Prayer.” Franklin has also won numerous awards, including 18 Grammy Awards.
Otis Redding
Otis Redding is often referred to as the “King of Soul,” and it’s easy to see why. His raw, emotive vocals and sensual, blues-infused songwriting made him one of the most influential performers of the 1960s. Though he only recorded a handful of albums before his untimely death at 26, his music has been widely sampled by hip-hop and R&B artists over the past few decades. Here are some of the best examples.
“(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”
This 1968 single was released posthumously after Redding’s plane crash and it quickly became his signature song. It’s been sampled by everyone from Snoop Dogg to Erykah Badu, but perhaps the most famous version is Michael Jackson’s 1979 hit “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.”
“Try a Little Tenderness”
This 1967 ballad is one of Redding’s best-known songs and it has been covered by everyone from Aretha Franklin to Otis Reading himself. In recent years, it has also been sampled by a number of hip-hop artists, including Kanye West, Jay-Z and Lil Wayne.
If you’re looking for some soulful samples for your next track, look no further than Otis Redding. With a catalog full of hits, you’re sure to find something that speaks to you.
The Future of Soul Music
The future of soul music is impossible to predict, but one thing is certain: the genre will continue to evolve and grow. As new artists emerge and experiment with different sounds and styles, the possibilities are endless. We can’t wait to see what the next generation of soul musicians has in store for us.
