Nigerian Artists Who Sampled Songs In 2022 – PBA Ratings

From outright lifts to subtle homages, samples have always been the bedrock of Afrobeat, but they’ve also been utilized throughout all forms of popular music for decades. Sampling or the act of sampling refers to the act of taking a portion of a sound recording and reusing it by incorporating it into an audio-only recording of a new song.

Some original songs are often eclipsed in popularity, and sometimes forgotten by the new generation, but the act of sampling, not only pays homage, to the original artist but serves as a link to sounds of yesteryears. In this feature, we would be talking about some of the most popular Nigerian sampled songs in 2022, some of the originals you might know like the back of your hand and some you might not.

Burna Boy- Last Last

Burna boy is often called the king of sampling, and while some people think of it as a mediocre act, Burna has successfully mastered the act of sampling and has recorded some of his greatest hits off a sample.

Burna Boy debatably had one of the best songs of the summer on his hands with “Last Last,” a single off of his Album, “Love, Damini.” Ahead of its official release, Burna Boy performed “Last Last” for the first time during his concert at Madison Square Garden, where he made history as the first Nigerian musician to headline the venue.

“Last Last” is produced by Chopstix and it samples Toni Braxton’s classic 2000 record “He Wasn’t Man Enough.”

Zinoleesky – Loving You

Marlian music star, Zinoleesky gave us club bangers with captivating new tunes this year, “Loving You“was one of those tunes. The 26-year-old singer continues to prove his capability, skill, and talent with all the detectable tunes he keeps offering his fans.

In “Loving You”, Zinoleesky expresses the extent he will go to show his love. He doesn’t mind walking through the rain, shouldering unbearable burdens, and even facing the world for his lover.

He samples Nigerian-French singer Asa‘s track ‘Be My Man’, with the line “She says you be my man and then I’ll be your woman, I’m very willing I’m ready to be your dad”. It added a bit of spice reminding us of a classic while not entirely leaving Zino’s Afrobeat/Amapiano lane. This act of sampling may keep the naysayers at bay who insist that Zino keeps playing it safe with his registered formula.

Ruger – Asiwaju

Ruger came into the limelight in 2021 after he signed a record deal with D’Prince Jonzing world record with a publishing and distribution deal with Columbia Records, and Sony Music Entertainment, U.K division.

In the song “Asiwaju”, Ruger sings about how he is leading musically and non of his contemporaries can catch up with him. According to him, he is leading musically, in riches, beauty, and fashion.

“ Asiwaju” is however a sample of the late Sound Sultan’s 2004 hit song, “Motherland”.

Blaqbonez – Young Preacher

With talent in abundance and an ever-present relentlessness, Blaqbonez aims for the next level in his artistic ambitions. Climbing the ladder of fame and success, slowly but steadily, it is safe to say that Blaqbonez has done well for himself.
In ‘’Young Preacher’’, Blaqbonez documents his ideology as a man whose perspective of love is built on wanton philistinism shaped by his many experiences. Like a stoic, Blaqbonez appears to have endured pain (romantic, family, and career) and he uses his success as a way to fight the pain.

His musicality skill is elevated by the sampling of Afrobeats classic, Styl Plus’ ‘Run Away’ in ‘Young Preacher’, he also showed mastering of the sacred act of sampling, as “Young Preacher” was not the only sampled song in his new album.