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May 9, 2013 Andy Cush

Each week in Sample Wars, we’ll pit two songs which sample the same source material head-to-head against each other, to determine which one rocked the sample better. This week we’re focusing on what’s one of the all-time great loops in my book: Willie Hutch’s 1973 orchestral soul jam “I Choose You,” sampled in UGK and OutKast’s […]

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May 2, 2013 Andy Cush

Each week in Sample Wars, we’ll pit two songs which sample the same source material head-to-head against each other, to determine which one rocked the sample better. This week’s Sample Wars presents a novel case. Like usual, both Chance the Rapper’s “Everybody’s Something” (released this week on his new mixtape Acid Rap) and Slum Village’s “Fall […]

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April 29, 2013 Andy Cush

Fans hungry for one last piece of the Beastie Boys legacy will get their wish Fall 2015, when Spiegel & Grau will publish a yet-untitled memoir by Adam Horovitz and Mike Diamond, aka Ad-Rock and Mike D. According to the New York Times, the tome, edited by veteran rap journalist and Ego Trip mag founder Sacha Jenkins will aesthetically mimic […]

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April 25, 2013 Andy Cush

Each week in Sample Wars, we’ll pit two songs which sample the same source material head-to-head against each other, to determine which one rocked the sample better. Both of this week’s contestants are aging rap legends who’ve spent a lot of time in headlines recently: Jay-Z, for his trip to Cuba, “Open Letter,” and sale of […]

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April 4, 2013 Andy Cush

Each week in Sample Wars, we’ll pit two songs which sample the same source material head-to-head against each other, to determine which one rocked the sample better. To mark this week’s release of Wolf, Tyler, the Creator’s third album, we’re reaching back to the rapper’s debut. Bastard‘s “Odd Toddlers” draws extensively from “Huit Octobre 1971” by the French fusion […]

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March 28, 2013 Andy Cush

Each week in Sample Wars, we’ll pit two songs which sample the same source material head-to-head against each other, to determine which one rocked the sample better. As you may have heard, Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers dropped this month. As a tribute to the sartorial inspiration for James Franco’s Alien, we’re deconstructing one of RiFF RAFF’s best love […]

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March 25, 2013 Aymann Ismail

After schooling New Yorkers on etiquette via numerous unsanctioned interventions, artist Jay Shells channeled his love of hip hop music and his uncanny sign-making skills towards a brand new project: “Rap Quotes.” For this ongoing project, Shells created official-looking street signs quoting famous rap lyrics that shout out specific street corners and locations. He then […]

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March 21, 2013 Andy Cush

Each week in Sample Wars, we’ll pit two songs which sample the same source material head-to-head against each other, to determine which one rocked the sample better. Today, we’re reaching way back to The Flamingos’ 1959 hit “I Only Have Eyes You,” which provided the basis for The Fugees’ classic “Zealots” as well as minimal electronic […]

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Andy Cush

The late J Dilla is one of the most celebrated hip-hop producers of all time, and his enormous record collection is nearly as impressive as his music. In the above documentary from Fuse’s “Crate Diggers” series, producer and friend of Dilla J Rocc gives a short tour of the stash, and friends and family members […]

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March 14, 2013 Andy Cush

Each week in Sample Wars, we’ll pit two songs which sample the same source material head-to-head against each other, to determine which one rocked the sample better. To celebrate the release of Justin Timberlake’s The 20/20 Experience this week, we’re looking at Sly, Slick, & Wicked’s “Sho’ Nuff,” which provides the basis for “Suit & Tie” as well […]

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