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With an increase of 10% more samples on popular albums and a steady number of samples in 14% of the songs in Billboard's Hot 100 charts (2020: 13% | 2019: 15%), it's safe to say that samples are still very present in the sound of today's popular music. Most notably in hip-hop: 48% of the songs on the Grammy-nominated releases for Best Rap Album include samples. Throughout 2021, songs by DJ Khaled, J. Cole, Kanye West, Tyler, the Creator, Pop Smoke, and Drake have dominated the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

This year clearly established "The New Nostalgia," an emerging trend spearheaded by a new generation of producers who sample sounds from the 90s and early noughties—particularly classic hip-hop and R&B hits. But as shown by our stats, sampling 70s soul continues to keep coming in and out of fashion as well.

However, one of this year's most intriguing trends takes place outside of the charts: there seems to be a much higher sense of awareness around sampling—even among a new, younger generation. Millennials and Gen Z get schooled on sampling through popular videos on TikTok (which according to our research, account to well over 500 million views). People's reactions to news surrounding Timbaland's sample usage, Olivia Rodrigo versus Paramore, Daft Punk's sampling of Eddie Johnson "One More Time," among other examples, show deep engagement and involvement when it comes to sampling. For the good and the bad: from viral praise for old originals to cancel culture-fueled backlash.

The state of sampling is a steady one, but newly-fueled awareness indicates that there's a generational shift in sampling happening, too.

Below are some key findings from Tracklib's 2021 State of Sampling report.  Read the full analysis here:  Tracklib's 2021 State of Sampling Report.

  • STAT: 14 % of the songs which charted on Billboard's Hot 100 during 2021 sampled from other previously released songs.
  • STAT: More than half (54%) of the albums that charted on Billboard during 2021 contains samples from other previously released songs.
  • STAT: 48% of the songs on the 5 albums nominated for Best Rap Album of 2021 sampled from other previously released songs.
  • STAT: The average year to sample (for the sampled songs that charted on Billboard's Hot 100 during 2021) is 1992.
  • TREND: There's a clear trend to sample older songs this year with the average year being 1992. 2020's average was 1999 and 2019's average was 1998.
  • TREND: Sampling the 70s is officially back in fashion — being 122% more popular to sample (for the sampled songs that charted on Billboard's Hot 100 during 2021) compared to last year.
  • RECORD: The oldest sample (among the sampled songs that charted on Billboard's Hot 100 during 2021) of the year can be found in Justin Biebers' controversial album opener "2 Much", sampling from Martin Luther King Jr's famous 1963 speech.
  • RECORD: The newest sample (among the sampled songs that charted on Billboard's Hot 100 during 2021) of the year can be found in Drake's hit "Fair Trade", sampling Charlotte Day Wilson's "Mountains" released just 2 months prior.
  • RECORD: Drake's album "Certified Lover Boy" is the most sample-based album of all Billboard charting albums in 2021, with 15 samples in an album containing 21 previously released songs.
  • FUN FACT: There were only 2 drum break samples found in all songs which charted on Billboard's Hot 100 during 2021. Both sampled by Tyler The Creator for his album "Call Me If You Get Lost". Seems Tyler is the last drum-break-sampling man standing.
  • FUN FACT: The opening sound of Drake's album "Certified Lover Boy", "Champagne Poetry" has quite the sampling history. In 1965 The Beatles released "Michelle" in their album "Rubber Soul", in 1972 that song was covered by The Singers Unlimited in an A Capella album, in 2017 that cover was sampled and chopped up by Masego for his track "Navajo", and these chops are the ones sampled to create the opening of "Certified Lover Boy".

08 May 2025 | Press release

2025 Mercury Prize moves to Newcastle

  Newcastle Upon Tyne to host first ever Mercury Prize outside of London 2025 ‘Albums of the Year’ Shortlist announced 10th September Award Show to take place at Utilita Arena, Newcastle on 16th October and will be broadcast across BBC platforms All tickets available...more

08 May 2025 | Press release

Andrew Spencer named Chief Operating Officer of AEG Presents Europe

Industry Veteran and Current Chief Commercial Officer at Frontier Touring to Lead European Operations for Live Entertainment Company AEG Presents, a leader in live entertainment, announced today that Andrew Spencer has been named Chief Operating Officer (COO) of AEG Presents Europe....more

08 May 2025 | Press release

Free Party: A Folk History

A DOCUMENTARY BY AWARD-WINNING DIRECTOR AARON TRINDERFREE PARTY: A FOLK HISTORY  THE UNTOLD STORY OF HOW RAVE CULTURE SHOOK THE SYSTEM AND SPARKED A GLOBAL REVOLUTION  FEATURING SPIRAL TRIBE, BEDLAM, CIRCUS WARP, DiY SOUND SYSTEM, YOUTH (KILLING JOKE), COLIN DALE, CHARLIE HALL...more

08 May 2025 | Press release

Bloc Party to be honoured with Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection

IN CELEBRATION OF THE BAND’S EXCEPTIONAL SONGWRITING PROWESS ACROSS A PROLIFIC 25 YEAR CAREER The original four members of Bloc Party will receive the award at the 70th edition of the world’s biggest and most prestigious celebration of songwriters and screen composers,...more

08 May 2025 | Press release

BPI In Tune with Sound City

  Sound City hosted the first BPI In Tune with Tomorrow event outside of London Headline interview with Warner Music COO Isabel Garvey setting the scene ahead of a  breadth of expert panels drawn from the music ecosystem, each exploring different aspects...more

08 May 2025 | Press release

Warner Music Group unveils WMG Pulse, giving artists and songwriters instant access to real-time insights

Built by WMG’s in-House Tech Experts, App Aggregates Data Across All Major DSPs and Social Media    Platform in Beta with 100+ Artists and Songwriters Click HERE for Demo   Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG) today announced the beta launch of WMG Pulse, a powerful new platform that...more

08 May 2025 | Press release

AIP to launch UK promoter diversity database

Contributions needed from the sector for pioneering resource. The Association of Independent Promoters (AIP) is calling for contributions to a growing diversity database that will define the spectrum of live music promoters in the UK today. The database will be launched in...more

08 May 2025 | Press release

AIF partners with Stantec to launch Noise Helpline for festival promoters

Santec to host webinar on mysteries and myths around festival noise.   The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has partnered with Stantec (formerly Hydrock) to launch a new noise helpline for festival promoters. The helpline will be run by Santec and made available...more

07 May 2025 | Press release

Legendary Blue Note Jazz Club granted licence to open their first UK club in London

  Today (7th May) the iconic Blue Note Jazz Club is proud to announce they have been granted a licence to open their first UK club. Set within the basement of the St Martins Lane hotel in Covent Garden, the licence...more

07 May 2025 | Press release

Amazon Music returns to exclusively livestream Primavera Sound Barcelona

Music fans will be able to enjoy the festival from 5th – 7th June from anywhere in the world Audiences will be able to tune in via the Amazon Music channels on Twitch and Prime Video Click HERE for streaming details   This spring, Amazon Music will return...more

07 May 2025 | Press release

The Dark Arts of preserving Welsh musical heritage in the digital age

  Digital agency, Dark Arts, is harnessing the power of AI to preserve and enhance the digital visibility of culturally significant Welsh music catalogues that are at risk of being lost in today’s algorithm-driven era, where engagement and revenue are dependent...more

07 May 2025 | Press release

Concord Music Publishing signs singer-songwriter Grace Tyler

  Today, Concord Music Publishing announced the signing of singer-songwriter Grace Tyler in her first publishing deal. The worldwide publishing deal, effective immediately, includes Tyler’s catalog and her upcoming releases.  Originally from Frisco, Texas, Grace Tyler attended Belmont University, honing her craft and working with multi-platinum singer-songwriter...more

07 May 2025 | Press release

The MMF and YouTube Music unveil Accelerator's class of 2025

“Accelerator empowers the industry’s preeminent talent developers to do what they do best - develop talent.”     18 talented independent music managers join the 7th edition of our groundbreaking funding and training programme   All will receive grants of £10,000, alongside an...more

07 May 2025 | Press release

Italian Performance Rights Collecting SCF closes its 2024 with total distributions of over 51 million euros

The collecting drives the growth: Italy in global Top Ten  2024 confirms the growth trend for performance rights in Italy: this is demonstrated by the overall data of SCF, the leading collecting society in the sector that in the last year...more

07 May 2025 | Press release

Armada Music Signs Joint Venture Deal with Techno Visionary Joris Voorn

Dutch techno pioneer Joris Voorn has confirmed the release of his highly anticipated new album, set to drop this July—marking his first major project in collaboration with Armada Music   Armada Music, the biggest independent dance music label in the world, is...more

06 May 2025 | Press release

BRIDGE initiative to strengthen the independents' position in the digital ecosystem across markets

  Artists working with record labels have more listeners and income on digital platforms. Low profitability of streaming and high dependence on live performances are challenges to be addressed. Professionalization, industry events and trade associations are key to the development of the Latin...more

06 May 2025 | Press release

Creative industries and growth boosted with new UK-India cultural agreement

  UK's arts and culture, creative industries, tourism and sport sectors are set to benefit from a major new cooperation agreement with India Culture Secretary leading a delegation of cultural leaders and UK institutions to Mumbai and New Delhi this week Agreement to...more

06 May 2025 | Press release

NTIA Welcomes Bluenote License Decision but Questions Police's Role in Defining Culture

  Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), has welcomed the decision to grant a license to the Bluenote Jazz venue in London, following a highly contested process. However, the case has sparked significant concern over the growing influence of policing in cultural...more

06 May 2025 | Press release

Create Music Group Acquires Independent Label Monstercat Expanding Global Reach in Electronic Music and Gaming

Create Music Group (“CMG”), the world’s leading platform for iconic music, announced today that it has acquired Monstercat, one of the most influential independent electronic music record labels in the world. The deal marks a strategic addition to Create’s growing...more

02 May 2025 | Press release

Downtown's CD Baby Appoints Industry Veterans Sean Hallarman and Craig May to Lead Product and Artist Development

In addition to new appointments, executives Jean Mischler and Whitney Thomas step into expanded roles across marketing, revenue, finance, and business operations CD Baby, Downtown Music’s artist direct distribution and music services platform, today announced the appointment of Sean Hallarman as...more

02 May 2025 | Press release

BBC announces programming to mark 40 years since Live Aid

  This July, BBC Two and Radio 2 will mark the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, which took place on Saturday 13th July 1985. BBC Two and BBC iPlayer broadcasts Live Aid at 40, which reveals the behind-the-scenes story of the 1985 concert that brought the...more

02 May 2025 | Press release

Alison Goldfrapp launches own record label A.G Records

New album, Flux, will be released in partnership with Absolute Label Services on August 15. “If you’re lucky enough to have the option, owning your own masters feels like a no-brainer!” - Alison Goldfrapp   Electronic pop star Alison Goldfrapp is set to...more

02 May 2025 | Press release

Integrity First: Merlin Joins Music Fights Fraud Alliance to Protect the Music Ecosystem

Merlin, the digital music licensing partner for the world’s leading independent labels and distributors, announced today that it has joined the Music Fights Fraud Alliance (MFFA), the industry’s united front against streaming fraud and illegitimate activity. By contributing to the goals...more

02 May 2025 | Press release

BBC Radio 6 Music announces spring and summer programming

  Today, BBC Radio 6 Music reveals a range of upcoming programmes coming to the station this month and beyond. Early June sees the return of Mary Anne Hobbs to 6 Music, who will present a brand new show on Sundays, 6-8pm,...more

02 May 2025 | Press release

Data Bill amendments: BPI comment

BPI Chief Strategy Officer Sophie Jones said:   "While these amendments may be welcome in acknowledging the complexity and time needed to fully consider some of the most damaging aspects of the Government's proposals, they should not be taken as a gain for the creative...more

02 May 2025 | Press release

LA Sync Mission 2025 announced for 9th – 13th June

  This year's LA Sync Mission, organised jointly by the BPI, MPA and the UK's Department for Business and Trade (DBT), will take place between 9th – 13th June 2025. The event founded to create global opportunities for British sync and to grow UK music exports will be...more

02 May 2025 | Press release

Watford Colosseum confirms first artists for reopening season

AEG Presents newest venue will stage its inaugural show on August 29th    AEG Presents announced today (Friday May 2nd) the first artists to perform as part of Watford Colosseum’s reopening season beginning with a show from iconic band Ocean Colour Scene...more

01 May 2025 | Press release

IMPEL welcomes Musou Music Publishing — the first Greek publisher to join its collective

  Musou Music Publishing is part of Musou Music Group, which was founded in 2006 and also includes Musou Music Production, Musou Studios, and Musou Records.  Musou Music Publishing has been awarded a total of three Grand, eight Golden, three Silver and...more

01 May 2025 | Press release

BPI's new Yearbook reveals Country music's surging popularity, achieving its biggest annual share of the UK recorded music market this century

  BPI’s newly-published All About The Music 2025 discloses Country’s share of the UK singles market increased by over 50% year-on-year in 2024, thanks to artists including Beyoncé, Dasha and Shaboozey. Country music claimed it highest share of artist albums consumption in the UK...more

01 May 2025 | Press release

ABBA co-founder and CISAC President Bjorn Ulvaeus urges UK government not to weaken copyright for AI

CISAC President Björn Ulvaeus has concluded two days of meetings in the UK, urging the government to safeguard human creators in the AI age and avoid weakening creators’ rights. Speaking at an open discussion with Members of Parliament and Lords in...more

08 May 2025

  • Spotify’s latest update gives users more control over their listening experience (see Digital)

07 May 2025

  • Has music reached peak fragmentation? (see Analysis)

  • How LA is rebuilding the music industry after the fires (see Features)

06 May 2025

  • Ministers reconsider changes to UK copyright law ahead of vote (see News)

  • How Ticketmaster swallowed the live entertainment scene (see Features)

  • Spotify executive on why 'per-stream rate' is one of the most misleading metrics in music (see Opinion)

02 May 2025

  • BPI responds to government’s proposed amendments to the Data Bill related to AI and copyright (see News)

  • ‘AI and intellectual property — a pivotal moment for the UK’s creative industries’ (see Opinion)

30 Nov 1999

    01 May 2025

    • BPI's new Yearbook reveals Country music's surging popularity (see News)

    30 Apr 2025

    • How Live Nation calls the tune for the live music industry (see Features)

    29 Apr 2025

    • How economic volatility will impact US labels’ fandom monetisation push (see Comment)

    28 Apr 2025

    • Spotify is said to be raising its subscription prices across Europe and Latin America (see Digital)

    • Culture Secretary to review the Music Export Growth Scheme (see News)

    25 Apr 2025

    • The music industry wants solutions. But do listeners see problems? (see Comment)

    • The next generation of independent music tastemakers (see Features)