- (voice-over) When is a song fully original, and when is it not?
Music has a layered history, so you might not know
that a song you love is sampling from a song in the past.
Some are obvious. Some aren't.
But we've got you covered by breaking it down every episode.
This is Sample School.
For the very first episode of the show,
we'll be diving into "Hotline Bling" by Drake.
Singer plus rapper plus Canada
equals one of hip hop's most popular artists of the past decade, Drake!
Before he became the "Drizzy Drake" we know today,
most people recognized him as Jimmy Brooks
from the televisions series Degrassi: The Next Generation.
Drake's career's been pretty busy, releasing over five albums and mix tapes,
along with receiving 27 Grammy nominations.
Drake hit number two on The Billboard with his single "Hotline Bling,"
the bonus track off his latest record, Views.
The song can attribute much of its success
to its music video, or more so Drake's dances moves
within the music video.
Yes, the most popular booty call song since Christina Aguilera's "Come on Over"
has generated countless GIFs and memes.
Awkward salsa dancing aside, no one can deny
the song's infectious instrumental.
But do you know how he came up with it?
Was he inspired by Caribbean music?
Music from Super Mario World?
Or is it actually sampled from another song?
All right, let's break this down.
We all know how the song goes.
- ♪ Yeah ♪
♪ You used to call me on my cellphone ♪
♪ Late night when you need my love ♪
- (voice-over) But what happens when the pitch and speed are turned down,
the bass and snare removed, and Drake is taken out?
- ♪ I know when that hotline bling ♪
♪ (rhythmic drum beat with keyboard) ♪
- (voice-over) Any guesses yet?
Well, what about when we play it against another song
made in 1972?
- ♪ Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why ♪
♪ Mm, why can't we live together ♪
- (voice-over) Yep! "Hotline Bling" does indeed sample a song.
And it's the 1972 hit from Timmy Thomas,
"Why Can't We Live Together?"
Contrary to a little controversy of "Hotline Bling"
allegedly stealing hip hop artist's D.R.A.M's "Cha Cha,"
which actually samples the "Star Road" song,
and features a similar chord progression,
the real source is Indiana-born Timothy Thomas.
During Timmy Thomas' career working as a singer,
keyboardist, and song writer, Timmy had little solo success
until he moved to T.K. Records in Miami, Florida.
Then, during the birth year of the digital watch,
HBO, and Pong, AKA 1972, he released the hit
"Why Can't We Live Together?"
"Why Can't We Live Together?" sold over 2 million copies
and reached number three on The Billboard Hot 100
just behind two little-known songs called "Crocodile Rock"
and "You're So Vain."
Drake wasn't the first to sample or re-purpose this song.
This same song was sampled by Leaders of the New School...
- ♪ Goody two shoes, no I'm not ♪
♪ I'm a manic ♪
♪ Radiation ready ♪
♪ Yo, [inaudible] format ♪
- (voice-over) Ice...
- ♪ Oh, I never fell in love ♪
♪ I have to feel [inaudible] ♪
- (voice-over) And even covered by Mr. MC Hammer himself.
- ♪ If we can't live together ♪
♪ Then this world's gonna fall apart ♪
♪ Tell me why ♪
- (voice-over) As for what Timmy thinks of Jimmy's sampling of his song,
turns out he's over the moon about it being on the radio again
through "Hotline Bling" 42 years later.
Today, at the age of 71, Timmy is now planning on relaunching
his solo career after over 20 years!
Drake, in turn, has praised his sample,
which he actually discovered after he heard the "Hotline Bling" beat.
All right, so let's recap.
"Hotline Bling" doesn't sample Mario, but instead samples
the 1972 hit "Why Can't We Live Together,"
Drake wasn't the first to sample the song,
and Timmy Thomas is making a music comeback after two decades!
(school bell rings)
Oh, there's the bell. Today's lesson is over.
Consider yourself Sample School.
Thanks for watching Sample School.
I know when I first heard this song, I could not get it out of my head.
Did you guys know this sample already?
What songs should we break down next?
Let us know in the comments below!
If you want to know more information about sampling,
check out the websites in the description.
They should help you out a whole lot.
I'm [Alex Wechsler], and from all of us here at FBE,
thanks again for watching.