Inspiration

The Tracks Behind a Thousand Hits: The Most Sampled Songs Ever

Discover the tracks that built modern music. From the Amen Break to Apache, these are the songs sampled thousands of times to power hip-hop, pop, and beyond.

Sampling isn’t just a production technique; it’s a conversation between generations of artists. From jazz and funk to hip-hop and pop, sampling has become one of the most powerful tools in modern music production. Whether it’s flipping a dusty vinyl loop or chopping up a familiar breakbeat, artists across genres use samples to pay homage, spark inspiration, or turn something old into something brand new.

In this article, we’re digging into the most sampled songs of all time. We’ll explore why they’ve left such a massive mark, how they’ve shaped different genres, and what it says about music's past, present, and future.

What is Sampling in Music?

At its core, sampling is the act of reusing a portion of a sound recording in a different song or context. That could mean a drum break, a vocal line, or even a tiny guitar riff. It started with experimental tape loops and early hip-hop DJs in the 1970s, but today, it’s everywhere: in chart-topping hits, underground mixtapes, and TikTok remixes.

Sampling has become more than just a technique. It’s a creative tool, a shortcut to nostalgia, and sometimes, a way to sneak something familiar into something bold and original.

What is the Most Sampled Song of All Time?

"Amen, Brother" by The Winstons holds the crown. This 1969 track features the "Amen Break", a six-second drum solo by Gregory Coleman that became the backbone of hip-hop, jungle, drum and bass, and beyond. It’s been sampled thousands of times by artists like N.W.A., The Prodigy, and even Oasis.

The Amen Break is more than just a rhythm; it’s a musical building block. Its raw energy and versatility make it perfect for looping, layering, and reinventing.

The Top 10 Most Sampled Songs of All Time

Here are 10 legendary tracks that have been sampled time and time again across decades and genres:

  1. "Amen, Brother" - The Winstons
  2. "Think (About It)" - Lyn Collins
  3. "La Di Da Di" - Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick
  4. "Funky Drummer" - James Brown
  5. "Change the Beat (Female Version)" - Beside
  6. "Impeach the President" - The Honey Drippers
  7. "Synthetic Substitution" - Melvin Bliss
  8. "It’s a New Day" - Skull Snaps
  9. "Hot Pants (Bonus Beats)" - Bobby Byrd
  10. "Apache" - Incredible Bongo Band

*Source: WhoSampled

Let’s zoom in on a few that had the biggest cultural ripple effects.

"Think (About It)" by Lyn Collins

Produced by James Brown, this 1972 funk track gave us the famous "Yeah! Woo!" break. It’s been flipped in songs like Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock’s "It Takes Two," Janet Jackson’s "Alright," and countless house and club tracks.

Why it works: The groove is infectious, the break is iconic, and the vocal chops create instant energy.

"La Di Da Di" by Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick

This 1985 beatbox-and-rap classic is one of the most vocally sampled tracks ever. From Biggie’s "Hypnotize" to Miley Cyrus’ "We Can’t Stop," artists have borrowed its lyrics, flow, and flavor.

Why it works: The delivery is timeless. The wit, rhythm, and storytelling make it a perfect lyrical reference.

"Funky Drummer" by James Brown

Clyde Stubblefield’s drum break in this 1970 track might be the most looped groove in history. It’s in Public Enemy’s "Fight the Power," Prince’s "Gett Off," and Dr. Dre’s "Let Me Ride."

Why it works: The rhythm is tight, punchy, and full of pocket—a dream for looping.

"Impeach the President" by The Honey Drippers

Recorded in 1973, this protest anthem became a rhythmic go-to for hip-hop. Jay-Z, Nas, Biggie, and J. Cole have all built tracks around its crisp snare pattern.

Why it works: The beat is clean and sparse, offering plenty of room for creative layering.

"Apache" by Incredible Bongo Band

Sometimes called "the national anthem of hip-hop", this 1973 track was a staple at block parties and DJ battles. It’s been sampled by Missy Elliott, Sugarhill Gang, and Nas.

Why it works: The bongo break is wild, funky, and full of life. It adds movement and flair to any production.

Why are These Songs So Sampled?

There are a few big reasons why these songs rise to the top:

  1. Rhythm First: They all have memorable breaks that are easy to chop, flip, or loop. A great break is like a blank canvas.
  2. Emotional Weight: Whether it’s protest, celebration, or nostalgia, the original context of the song brings extra meaning.
  3. Timeless Sound: These tracks don’t age. They sit well in any mix, and their analog texture cuts through digital productions.
  4. Cultural DNA: These songs helped build entire genres. Sampling them is both a tribute and a continuation.

Modern Hits That Borrowed the Blueprint

  • N.W.A.’s "Straight Outta Compton" samples "Amen, Brother"
  • Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock’s "It Takes Two" flips "Think (About It)"
  • Snoop Dogg references "La Di Da Di" on "Lodi Dodi"
  • J. Cole used "Impeach the President" on "No Role Modelz"
  • Missy Elliott sampled "Apache" on "We Run This"
  • Kanye West used "Funky Drummer" on "Power"

These samples helped shape some of the most recognizable hits of the last 40 years. When done right, a well-used sample becomes just as iconic as the original.

Sampling in Hip-Hop

Hip-hop didn’t invent sampling, but it turned it into an art form. Early pioneers like Marley Marl and Grandmaster Flash used turntables and tape decks to create loops and scratches. But when samplers like the SP-1200 and MPC came into play, it changed the game.

Producers like DJ Premier, Pete Rock, J Dilla, and Kanye West elevated sampling to a new level. They layered samples, pitched them, reversed them, chopped them into tiny pieces, turning them into new instruments.

Today, artists like Tyler, The Creator, Madlib, Metro Boomin, and Hit-Boy continue that tradition. Even as plug-ins and synths become more advanced, the art of finding that perfect sample and flipping it into something fresh remains central.

Sampling has always been a thorny legal issue. When hip-hop exploded in the '80s and '90s, so did lawsuits. Artists now usually clear both the master recording and the publishing rights before using a sample.

Some samples are easy to license. Others are almost impossible. That’s led to a wave of interpolation (replaying a sound instead of sampling it) and a rise in royalty-free sample packs.

The ethics? It depends on who you ask. For many, sampling is an act of reverence. For others, it's a creative shortcut. While others see it as problematic. The reality is rarely so clear-cut.

The Future of Sampling

With tech tools like Moises and real-time stem separation, producers can isolate vocals, drums, basslines, pretty much anything. You don’t need rare records or studio gear anymore. Just a great ear.

AI-powered plugins and sample discovery platforms are changing the game, too. But no matter how advanced things get, the heart of sampling stays the same: Find something that moves you. Flip it into something that moves others.

Final Thoughts

Sampling isn’t going anywhere. It’s how musicians talk to the past and remix it for the future. These songs, the most sampled of all time, aren’t just tracks. They’re tools. They’re inspiration. They’re part of the sound we build on.

So next time you hear that break, that bassline, that borrowed hook, listen close. It might be history, playing out in real time.

Malcolm Perry

Malcolm is a Los Angeles–based copywriter with over 7 years of experience. He’s also a music producer and songwriter, having worked with major artists across genres. When he’s not crafting copy or producing tracks, you’ll find him experimenting in the kitchen as an avid chef and foodie, creating food content, or out on the golf course.

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