You may have noticed the lack of new sample compilations posted on the site… yeah we’ve been slacking. More importantly, you may have noticed some of your favorite sample sets missing from our archives. I won’t get into which samples have been taken down. I will say that the decision was a hard one to make, but one that I felt strongly enough about to remove some of the hard work that Thomas and I have compiled over the years.
For years, KevinNottingham.com has been known as the place to go to get your sample fix and it has always been a touchy subject. Most of our readers appreciate the samples and consider them the best part of this site, while others scorn us for snitching or revealing producers’ magic tricks. I’ve explained my reasons before for the sample sets; to educate and pay homage to the producer. As this site started as sort of a producer’s haven, the samples served as a teaching tool for the beatmaker just starting out. What better way to learn than to learn from the masters?
KevinNottingham.com is known for helping the little guy… giving an artist a place to be heard, whether they recorded a song in a studio or in their bedroom. It’s the sole reason XXL recently labeled us as “underground rap shit” in their Top 100 Blog List. However, today, it is becoming more apparent that a lot of these sample compilations are doing more harm than good. As the site becomes more popular, it is evident that we are being watched more closely by key figures in the industry. Let’s face it, this website is an open encyclopedia for lawyers who are looking to sue producers for not clearing samples. I first realized that when I was contacted by George Clinton’s lawyers a while back. They were VERY interested in the site and requested my assistance in helping complete their database of hip hop songs that sample George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic. Quite naturally I refused and avoided further contact with them. Thankfully the issue dropped.
So why do we still have some samples still up on the site? I’m not perfect… I’ll admit that some of my logic is flawed. Right now I’m more concerned with removing recent underground hip hop releases. Have I removed all of them? No. I’m taking down on a case by case basis. Will we continue to compile sample sets? Most definitely, yes. However, samples will only be compiled for major releases, older releases, or only list the samples that are properly credited in the album’s linear notes.
Additionally, we have always had an open door policy where if a producer asks us not to post their samples, we oblige. This policy is still open and if there are any samples that anyone wish to be removed or you want to make sure that we don’t reveal your samples in the future, feel free to contact me.
To conclude, I know a lot of you are thinking that this isn’t the only place to find sample sources… there’s Wikipedia, The-Break, and other websites. I know that; I just don’t want this site to be the source of a lawsuit. Consider this my contribution to hip hop.
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Plus, every album that I have been interested in knowing the sample sources for we (us, Ivan, Goon, and others) have completed.
sucks, but i totally respect your decision..THANKS for all the hard work yall put in.
Yeah, it kinda sucks, but your reason is totally justifiable. I wouldn’t want anyone to catch a case based on a sample set that you compiled for us.
Been saying this for a minute. I’ve got a no underground policy on HHIR.
Great job, it’s about time.
perfectly understandable. keep doin your thing y’all. it would be kinda cool to know what happened to the 9th wonder samples tho. i understand if you don’t wanna talk about it tho
Any Artist If They Are True? Starts Out Either By Singing Or Borrowing Someone Else’s
Material. Take The Beatles For Instance,They Are Called The “Beatles” Because They Were Into Buddy Holly& The “Crickets” And Like Many They Started Out Playing Other Peoples Material And Used Chunks Of It To Get Where They Got. Had Their Guitars Been “Samplers” Would They Have Got Away With It? I Heard An Interview Recently On BBC 6 Music And George Clinton Said He Was Influenced By The Beatles And Also In The Interview He Mentioned Stevie Wonder Use To “Borrow” Parliaments Stuff After He’d Seen Them As Did A Bunch Of These We Now No As Stars. Prince Did & Still Does! But He Wont Let You Use His Material? The Specials Are The Same! They covered a bunch of ska originals on there first album But If You Try and Use Any Of “there” Material You Got No Chance ? What The Hell Is Going On? Even Marley Used Other Peoples Material. The Wailers Early Stuff Is Totally “The Impressions” Even The Sleeve is The Same ! I’d Also Like To Say That Had It Not Been For Hip Hop Producers Using Certain Breaks Ect And Sites Like This, I Would Not Have Gone Out And Purchased Albums By The Original Artist’s. Hip Hop Markets And Revives Music Like Nothing Else. And As For “Revealing Producer’s Tricks” Or “Snitching” Who Ever Said That Needs An “Ego Check”
Keep Up The Good Works
Salute Mr. Nottingham
Nuff respect to Kev and Thomas. Hold ya head through the drama
that’s understandable.
sad but understandable.
—a dying metaphor—
I’m glad you guys post this, for months i wonder what happen but i didn’t want to be the one to say something…just because i’m sure you guy’s have a lot of other things to adress. But on the other hand i completely understand you guy’s. Thnk’s for the hard work fella’s
4:12 into Royalty, off Gangstarr’s Moment Of Truth. Premo sums it up.
^ no he doesn’t.. let’s get real… that’s a little outlandish to claim that we are more or less criminals for what we do.
I loved DJ Premier to death…ask anyone and I ride for him hard and really praise and promote every piece of work he does and study his shit as a listener, but by no means do I agree with his point of view on that
This is upsetting, but I’m gonna hold my words
Much respect for your decision man. A real hip hop fans approach to the issue, its tough but always best to do what you think is right, especially involving such a touchy issue.
these sample sets were the reason why i started sampling everyday. it was (and still is) an addiction. and i appreciate the hard work you put in to compile the sets.
-> i understand your decision. kevinnottingham.com & the nottinghammers 4 life.
I feel you guys.The samples are VERY inspiring to me because I sample a lot.This site has a lot more to offer than that and therefore will always have my support.
Kevin keep doing ya thing no reason to explain yourself to people
“or only list the samples that are properly credited in the album’s linear notes.”
all i had was the album notes before i found this site, and we all know most of the time not even half the samples are on those notes, check ready to die, i jumped for joy when i got the HUGE compilation offa here.
do what u gotta do, and keep up the good work.
i tell any one that will listen about the hip hop sample index, the tresure that is unearthed is unbelieveable.
I love the old music.. my samples are more so of a way I pay homage.
Thanks guys. .. ya’ll did ya thing thou!!!
http://www.myspace.com/banghardmusik
Unfortunate but if it is gonna save people from getting sued it is a must.
i respect your decision! i think we all have had great use of the sample sets! i’ve learned so much since i found this site! thanks for the hard work guys!!!
I totally respesct your desicion. Damn these sampling laws. This site was a great way for a hip hop lover to become a sample-ologist. You leanred a lot about the tracks that they were used for,and on top of that(for me)I gained a bigger respect for the song that was used. Just keep up the good work. Each one teach one reach one.
ahhh man it reminds me the first set I grabbed on this site it was “the grind date” by de la soul.
this is a sad day in hip hop…but its very understandable, not takiing away from the music we sample, the music we look up to & respect because honestly they helped make hip hop from day one…the old folks always want us to acknowledge them as pioneers & respect them…i think sample sets are a way to open up a new audience and generation of listeners for them sad they cant see it even tho P@P websites have their music downloadable for free…i’ve heard a few song on here from a sample set that made me go buy the record or cd just to listen to it not even sample just listen…AND KEV & TOM NO MORE UNDERGROUND…I REALLY FEEL LIKE YA’LL HAVE EITHER LOOKED OVER OR DONT KNOW ABOUT WHAT COULD BE THE GREATEST UNDERGROUND HIP HOP ARTIST OF ALL TIME…RAPPER: THE JACKA ALBUM: THE JACK ARTIST…I DONT KNOW WHERE HIS SAMPLES CAME FROM BUT I KNOW U CANT FIND THEM ANY WHERE LISTEN TO THAT CD ITS A CLASSIC AS FAR AS RHYMES & PRODUCTION
Yeah man, we need more samples.
Let me guess either madlibs weeded out goons at stonesthrow or the rapper big poohs weed smoking crew got to you and made them threats feel real LOL You should make a private part of your site for this.
Hey, Kev.. you guys did your thing. dont even trip, fam. All of us here have your back. one of the reasons [just like everyone else] why I came to your site was because of your sample sets. but as time progressed and you guys started to post up quality music, thats what kept me anchored to your site. i havent been around in a while, but I still continue to pay you guys a visit every so often!
all I have to say is keep doing your thing, and whatever future decisions you have to make in order to keep the quality there [regardless of whether we like it or not], continue to do so. we will always be coming back. trust that..
I’m disappointed that you decided to get rid of the samples before speaking with me about it. You should definitely call or email me asap so we can discuss some of this stuff in depth.
MANE!!! They will be well missed… I used many of the sample set for tweeking certain beats….DAMN!!!!
I just gotta make a comment, cuz it seems like a lot of people think we’re gonna stop posting our sample sets altogether. That is TOTALLY NOT THE CASE!
Hey Kev.
Big Fan, always was always will be…but this whole sample thing has me startled…Why would producers wanna pull this “Dont reveal” bullshit on you…even if YOU dont recognize the sample, then someone else will and post it online in a smaller blog where people will still be able to hear it.
With that being said…I posted a comment to you a while back about getting a sample set for Show & A.G.’s Newest album together called Live Hard…i dont think your gonna do that now, are you? i only ask this because you said that you werent gonna post sample sets for albums that arent new-ish….that album is circa 2007.
thanks for the update kev, dont let these idiots push you around man!
-Chris
I don’t think it was anybody being pushed around…it was a request and revisiting the topic of sample sets and revealing sources. The discussion of sample sets is something that is talked about 2-3 times a year.