Know Your Sounds: 14 Samples Heard On Drake's 'More Life'
Did you catch these or know where they came from?
With the first day of Spring right around the corner, Drake officially released More Life into the digital streets and onto streaming services everywhere. Although the 22-track playlist provides body-moving "riddims" and an all-around enjoyable playlist for music lovers alike, the Canadian artist's use of familiar tracks seamlessly added a dash of fresh nostalgia to the 6 God's latest compilation.
From Sonic the Hedgehog (yes, Sonic the Hedgehog) to Earth, Wind, & Fire's 1974 single, “Devotion” to Jennifer Lopez's 1999 spring banger, "If You Had My Love," the former Degrassi actor made it a point to tap into the catalog of music veterans and newcomers from around the world as well as Canadian pop culture to bring his project to life. Thanks to the OVO Firm and, of course, Drake's love for music and pop culture, we grabbed up the familiar and fresh sounds and compiled them here for you to listen.
Flip through the gallery above to hear all of the samples, interpolations, and excerpts blended into Drizzy's More Life. You can read a complete list of the production credits here.
Drake's Samples J. Lo, R. Kelly, Lionel Richie And More On 'More Life'
1. “Building A Ladder” - Hiatus Kaiyote, ‘Choose Your Weapon’
2. “Roll Up” - Tony Yayo & Danny Brown, 'Hawaiian Snow'
3. “Doing It Wrong” - Drake, 'Take Care'
What: A sample and interpolation of Drake’s 2011 Take Care track, including the recording of Stevie Wonder playing the harmonica.
Where: Throughout “Jorja’s Interlude.” (Listen)
4. “Superman” (feat. Bucie) - Black Coffee
5. “All Night Long (All Night)" - Lionel Richie, 'Can't Slow Down'
6. T-Dot Goon Scrap DVD, 4Yall Entertainment
What: A hilarious parody video series created by some Carribean Toronto "gangstas" showing just how gully they can be, whether it when arguing over the video game controller or confronting a dude while he's swimming in a pool. Just watch the comedy up top. The sampled audio is at the 2:33 mark.
Where: On the tail end of "Madiba Riddim” (Listen)
7. “If You Had My Love” - Jennifer Lopez, 'On The 6'
8. “His World (Sonic The Hedgehog Theme Song)” - SEGA
What: A sped-up sample of the original SEGA theme song, which became the main song of the 2006 edition of the classic video game, Sonic the Hedgehog.
Where: Right from the start of "KMT - Giggs” (Listen)
9. “Shutdown” - Skepta, 'Konnichiwa'
What: A sample of the Nigerian-British grime artist's London live performance of the summer anthem. Although the song was originally released in 2015 and made a buzz in 2016, the Toronto rapper continues to keep an ear to his work and kick up collaborations.
Where: "KMT - Giggs” (Listen)
10. 'Satan's Choice,' Documentary
What: A sample of the beginning of the 1965 documentary on a motorcycle club and its East Toronto chapter. The sampled audio features the former president John "Tiny" Taylor. The film was directed by Donald Shebib, the father of Drake’s right-hand producer, Noah aka “40.”
Where: At the beginning of "Lose You” (Listen)
11. “Devotion - Live” - Earth, Wind & Fire, 'Gratitude'
12. “Jungle” - Drake, 'Take Care'
What: A sample of Drake's 2011 track.
Where: On "Glow" (Listen)
13. “Clipped Wings” - R. Kelly, 'Write Me Back'
What: A sample of Chicago's "Pied Piper" on the 2012 ballad from his eleventh studio album.
Where: On "Since Way Back," feat. PARTYNEXTDOOR (Listen)
14. “Time" - Snoh Aalegra
