Production Breakdown: The Sample History of “A Clockwork Orange”

Posted by Richard on 07/15/11 | Filed under Features, Production Breakdown, A Clockwork Orange

When you need a cinematic sample that says, "I'm a violent thug, but in a cultured, art-house kinda way," there's only place to go: electronic pioneer Wendy Carlos' Moog-meets-classical A Clockwork Orange soundtrack. Inspired by Rockie Fresh's use of the sample on "Sofa King Cole [Redux]," I run down the artists to flip the Stanley Kubrick-directed cult classic's iconic opening theme. Read More/Watch Videos...

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Production Breakdown: Hey, Where Does that “Louder!” Sample Come From?

Posted by Richard on 06/17/11 | Filed under Top Stories, Features, Production Breakdown, Mountain

few of today's hip-hop heads would know '70s rock band Mountain from a natural upward projection of the Earth's surface but, if you're visiting RefinedHype.com, odds are been exposed to the vocal stylings of frontman Leslie West on more than one occasion. In addition to featuring one of the most popular breaks in hip-hop history, the intro to a '72 live version of their “Long Red” spawned a couple of the most ubiquitous vocal samples ever--does the word “Louder!” ring any bells? Read More/Watch Video

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Production Breakdown: Gil Scott-Heron’s Sample Legacy

Posted by Richard on 06/10/11 | Filed under Features, Production Breakdown, GIl Scott-Heron

In honor of legendary spoken-word poet and singer (and reluctant rap forefather) Gil Scott-Heron, who passed away May 27, after a prolonged battle with illness and addiction, I give readers a whirlwind tour of the many records to sample his timeless words and music. Read More/Watch Videos...

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Production Breakdown: J. Cole’s “Return of Simba”

Posted by Richard on 05/27/11 | Filed under Features, J. Cole, Production Breakdown

An album outtake on which J. Cole once again asserts his dominance over the game, "Return of Simba" boasts an epic, Elite-coproduced instrumental which samples not only Disney classic The Lion King, but also indie darlings The Yeah Yeah Yeahs... or was it vintage funk/soul group Heaven and Earth? Turns out it's both. Read More/Watch Videos...

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Production Breakdown: Black Sheep’s “The Choice Is Yours”

Posted by Richard on 05/20/11 | Filed under Top Stories, Features, Production Breakdown, Maffew Ragazino, Black Sheep

Inspired by Maffew Ragazino's new promo single, a tribute to veteran Queens duo Black Sheep, I did a little research into Dres and Lawnges' best-known single. As usual, I turned up some dope and unexpected sample connections. Thus, I invite you to accompany me as I break down two versions of an old-school classic. Or don't – "The Choice Is Yours." Read More/Watch Video...

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Production Breakdown: Nas’ “Halftime”

Posted by Richard on 05/06/11 | Filed under Top Stories, Features, Production Breakdown, Nas, Rocki Evans, Elzhi

Spring is in the air... and so is “Halftime,” the debut single from living rap legend Nas. Having heard both Slum Village alum eLZHi and rising R&B star Rocki Evans rework Queensbridge repper's debut single this week in the Booth, I decided that now would be the perfect time to break the Large Professor-produced instrumental down to its component samples, as well as taking a look at a few records sampled from the finished product. Read More/Watch Videos...

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Production Breakdown: The Abridged Sample History of “Just the Two of Us”

Posted by Richard on 04/29/11 | Filed under Features, Production Breakdown, Grover Washington, Jr.

When Brooklyn emcee Fresh Daily stepped into the Booth with “Say Yes!,” a Shuko and Fonty-produced joint whose instrumental bore an eerie resemblance to 1981 jazz/soul classic "Just the Two of Us," I had to do some Googling to see if they'd flipped some obscure cover version of the cut. No dice – but in the process of my research I learned that the Grover Washington/Bill Withers single had been sampled more widely than I would have dreamed. Read More/Watch Video...

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Production Breakdown: From A-Trak to the New Boyz, Sampling the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ “Heads Will Roll”

Posted by Richard on 04/15/11 | Filed under Features, Production Breakdown, New Boyz, Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Though I haven't kept close tabs on indie darlings the Yeah Yeah Yeahs since they first hit the scene in my high-school years, a certain 2009 single has kept them on my radar thanks to its frequent sampling in new rap joints. This week, inspired by Kane Beatz' use of the record on New Boyz single “I Don't Care,” I take a look at the many samplings of “Heads Will Roll.” Read More/Watch Videos...

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Production Breakdown: The Sample Behind the Sample Behind Game’s “Red Nation”

Posted by Richard on 04/01/11 | Filed under Top Stories, Features, Production Breakdown, Game

While every connouisseur of electronic music knows the name “Zombie Nation,” few remember that of David Whittaker, the prolific composer who provided the hook for the former's biggest hit. This week, inspired by Cool and Dre's use of “Kernkraft 400” on Game's “Red Nation,” I take a look at the sample behind the sample. Read More/Watch Videos...

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Orie Reaches “For the Stars” (Listen & Download)

Posted by Richard on 03/31/11 | Filed under Downloads, Underground, Orie, Midwest

Last we heard from Orie, he was fighting for his life, determined to prove his mettle on the Battlefield of the music game. Four months later with nary a Booth feature in the meantime, and fans may be starting to wonder whether the St. Louis native’s fallen under (figurative) enemy fire. Well, worry no longer. Listen and download...

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