Exactly, we were talking about more so on the level of this...if your big break using a sample for your placement comes along, be very prepared to defend and guard against 1. YOur own work and what you brought to the table for the sample(flipping it and what not also making sure the drum break or chopped drums you used is also cleared) 2. Someone else does not come out of the woodwork laying claims to the song either the composer himself or even another hip hop producer.
I am coming into contact with more and more bigger label or not so big artists that have enough management and connections that are keeping them from using album tracks that have either uncleared samples or heavy rotation sampled records even at the expense of HOTNESS, some will not even consider using the sample, now on the other hand for the lucky that have access to a major label and clearance department or precleared sample catalog you have nothing to worry about but that is the minority of folks, we all know hip hop is founded on sampling but the game is SOOOOOO saturated with people using the same sample over and over and over and not bringing a lot to the table when the sample is flipped.
I am not quitting sampling because of the foundation and hip hop and imma head that grew up on Wu Tang and Rza, Jungle Brothers, Prince Paul and Pete Rock....but at the same time I am creative enough musically to either compose or go find a musician that can play a guitar riff or whatever and then pay him to use the work that way he isnt cheated and its win win....with sampling, from a musicians standpoint, if you think you are going to get famous as say Kanye at this point in the game by sampling its a very steep hill especially when a lot of the beats are going back to the basics resembling electro, and straigh 808, 909 with a lead casio or synth melody, roller skating rink bubble gum ish...and more so completely composed from scratch tracks be it using acoustic instruments, cleared sample cd's or synths but overall being more involved and creative in the finished track is going to yield more returns, I think the main focus is be effective and versatile in every aspect of production, but because of the many headaches and legalities its not worth the time sampling beyond a mixtape or lo budget production.
