Tochi Louis reviewed 6 samples from Nigerian artists such as Fela Kuti, Lijadu Sisters, and Tiwa Savage.
Sampling magnifies an underlying bond between classic and contemporary artists. This phenomenon fosters the nobility and timelessness of art that has influenced a culture, as portrayed in the musical thread between 18-year-old Ayra Starr and legendary Afrobeats duo, Lijadu Sisters. “I did my research on female artists doing big things back then that nobody talks about, I found them [Lijadu Sisters] and I was so amazed. They did really great things and it’s just a wonder how people don’t know them,” says Ayra Starr.
Some of the samples are more intricate while others are basically re-sung hooks (Ciara’s ‘Freak Me‘ (feat. Tekno) for example). Coldplay’s use of ‘Otuto Nke Chukwu‘ (1975) by Harcourt Whyte was a little jarring in that a small melodic vocal sample was used in the intro and didn’t really offer much to the rest of the song; almost like it was shoehorned in.
Regardless, it’s interesting to look at samples from outside the Black American music sphere and find the stylistic connections and differences between each other.