What If Hip Hop Began Without Sampling, But With Live Instrumentation?

[OGBama]

Think about the fact that Hip Hop, since its genesis, was seen as not real music due to sampling as its musical foundation. I don't think sampling is inherently cheating (but using loops and throwing drums, etc. on top and/or distorting samples to the point of audio vomit is), but I do think that sampling has inherent limitations brought on by the fact that you have people who think nothing of lifting samples and not asking for permission, which is the basis for copyright lawsuits and creators saying "fuck it, I'll take what I want" which used to be Hip Hop's pre corporate ethos. I'm to a point as a listener to instrumentals where I enjoy non sampled (e.g. from vinyl) Hip Hop as much as sampled Hip Hop.

It costs a lot depending on one's skill level to record some actual people playing actual instruments, but the quality of phone peripherals, standalone portable recorders, etc. has made recording possible, albeit w/issues such as latency, etc. and no tech is inherently perfect.

I know not everyone has the interest, time and or/money investment in learning an instrument (before throwing away money on a physical teacher although physical, in-person lessons in anything are best, getting started on YouTube via actual courses from actual colleges and/or universities w/music departments is a start if you know how to effectively search the Internet), but how many here would make Hip Hop if you were told that you couldn't sample, period?

 

[Memento Beats]

Interesting vision. I think that if hip hop began without sampling but with live instrumentation it would sound totally different now. I reckon the number of rappers and producers would be much smaller as access to the live instrumentation is more expensive no to mention recording it professionally.

For me it wouldn't be a problem to make a rap beat without samples since I know music theory to a degree that allows me to freely express my musical thoughts. However, as I mentioned above I think if rap started with live instrumentation then there would be fewer rappers and producers now. I even have doubts if that genre would survive without sampling and all the controversies it caused in the beginning.

 

[Fade]

Well it's kind of at that point now anyway where sampling doesn't happen as often as it used to, and there's plenty of non-sample beats out there. I've made plenty without samples, I just prefer sampling though. I would still be making stuff if I couldn't sample though.

 

[Bino5150]

The evolution of hip hop would've found its way there eventually... There are many sub-branches of the genre that gravitated more towards the synths. But at some point, especially in the age of the internet and DAW's and commercial exploitation of the underground, the pot would have eventually been stirred enough that sampling would've caught on organically later on.

It's kind of like weapons; basically every culture in the world, at some point in their history, developed blades independently of each other. It was just natural progression and developed on it's own. Transportation and communication solutions, electricity, building materialls, etc... same thing.

 

[2GooD Productions]

Its sampling that made hiphop what it was. Its a bit like saying what if omelettes didnt have eggs as an ingredient IMO.

 

[Memento Beats]

Its sampling that made hiphop what it was. Its a bit like saying what if omelettes didnt have eggs as an ingredient IMO.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[thedreampolice]

The roots is a good example of not sampling much at all. My music is also mostly live instruments. Its a great skill to have for sure.

 

[TjombaBeats]

In my study one teacher would life preform entertain the crowd while just making music. He pretty much nailed it by the end with one strong beat while building that live.. he used all kinds of analog instruments ,synths,guitar,effects. Sampling is just another way to rome. It's what i like in music there are no rules pretty much theres is only suggestions (don't make it clip it wil just destroy the sound). Its awesome what music can do in different forms samples or without.

 

[2GooD Productions]

Just before I joined illmuzik back in 2005 or 2006, I was what I thought at the time, a pretty proficient composer. I came here thinking I was the next big thing and was destroyed by very talented sampling producers. I learned the importance of sampling to hip hop back then, before labels really realised the value of clearance fees and the cost skyrocketted causing the big rise in composition vs sampling.
Even like what @thedreampolice said about the roots, yes they were acoustic but they were inspired by hip hop, sampled hip hop. Sampling is at the very core of the birth of hip hop, its was samplers that replaced the dj that would loop up a break and keep it going for the breaker boys and later emcees to come and spit on it. Sampling and the limits on dj's defined hip hop, I dont think hip hop would exist without it. From its early days, to its prime in the mid to late 90's to its fall in this decade and have seen it grow from its simple roots into a very complex art form.

 

[OGBama]

I'd @Fade love to listen to your work w/o samples.

 

[Fade]

I'd @Fade love to listen to your work w/o samples.

I got some old ones on Youtube but only a few without samples. Most have both samples and synths. Why don't you want to hear the beats with samples?

 

[OGBama]

I @Fade love both sampled and non-sampled as someone who used to listen to instrumentals on YT but for inspiration I aim for non sampled.

 

[Iron Keys]

I @Fade love both sampled and non-sampled as someone who used to listen to instrumentals on YT but for inspiration I aim for non sampled.

Stop thinking.

 

[Sucio]

I think it would've taken a lot longer to blow up the way it has.

And I think throwing drums over a loop and calling it a beat isn't cheating or audio vomit. If it sounds dope, then it sounds dope. Doesn't matter how the sound was achieved. Remember, you're not looking to impress other producers, but the artist and the audience of said artist.

 

[Delta Skeltah]

Rappers delight is live instrumentation, right?

 

[OGBama]

Yes @Delta_Nine it is. Doug Wimbish was the bassist.