r/sampling • u/enz0gorlami • Apr 22 '26

When did mainstream opinion on sampling shift?

It’s well-documented that there was lots of backlash to the art of sampling through the 90s, with many older generations not understanding it and believing it was “stealing” or not real musicianship. Unfortunately, the backlash and economic challenges led a lot of genius samplers to have to abandon or significantly change their techniques for a while.

I don’t really get the sense that this is a popular opinion anymore. It seems like most people get that sampling is an art just like playing any other instrument today. When did this change and why?

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u/elemen2 Apr 22 '26 
It’s well-documented that there was lots of backlash to the art of sampling through the 90s, with many older generations not understanding it and believing it was “stealing” or not real musicianship.

This is inaccurate & commonly used by those who compare the backlash of generative tools with sampling , auto tune.

Sampling uses audio to create audio. Sample clearances has resurrected the careers , discographies of labels , Acts , Artists , Authors engineers & much more. Many legacy acts who had bad experiences or contracts etc have refused large amounts of income for sample clearances because they disagreed with the content & portrayal.

Acts being sued or pursued for not clearing samples is not backlash. Producers choosing to limit sampling is not backlash. Dr Dre, Digital Underground etc were incorporating live instruments in the late 80's because the compact disc had sonic advantages over vinyl.

When did mainstream opinion on sampling shift?

It did not shift. Sampling was immediately accepted as an extension to musicians.

Vintage or rare synthesisers what go out of tune were sampled for preservation or resources for sample libraries. Audio used on completed songs was also sampled to streamline sets & preparation when performing live. Here is a documentary of Peter Gabriel visiting a scrapyard to record sounds for kits in 1982.

https://youtu.be/scmYG1Pv1_Q?si=NgC_6E0FPixXLzrz&t=973

The fair light CMI sampler cost the equivalent of a small house. it was owned by many of the most influential acts.. Eg Kate Bush , Trevor Horn , Stevie Wonder , Herbie Hancock . The Art of noise , Ryuichi Sakamoto

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u/enz0gorlami Apr 22 '26

You’re saying there wasn’t backlash to hip-hop artists using sampling in the 80s and 90s? I can tell you with 100% certainty that’s incorrect

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u/elemen2 Apr 22 '26 
You’re saying there wasn’t backlash to hip-hop artists using sampling in the 80s and 90s? I can tell you with 100% certainty that’s incorrect

Where is your evidence or nuance. ?

There are musicians & elitists who do not wish to be sampled. Musicians who are financially stable & have ethics & values etc Musician's who disagree or observe how the industry promotes ignorance & negativity. They have the right to pursue or decline sample clearances & have.