[rating:78/100]
Told you. Today, Chiddy Bang premiered their best work yet — and I’m not just saying that because they namechecked PMA in the intro. It takes best work honors because I didn’t think Chiddy Bang would top their Radiohead-sampling “Because.” Their strategic and creative sampling one of the many reasons why I find Chiddy Bang so damn interesting.

I find that my favorite hip hop records sample some other song, usually old soul songs a la Kanye West. But since hip hop discovered Daft Punk via Busta Rhymes and the ever present and innovative Kanye West, it opened my eyes to a whole new world of sampling. The art of sampling songs that are still fresh in your mind works in a different way than sampling songs long forgotten. This new school sampling rejuvenates and captures your attention in a way a pitched-up soul sample doesn’t. It almost feels like a remix, but it is a lot more exciting.

I can count in my hand the songs that I find showcase the mastery of new school sampling: my favorites are Wale’s “W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E.” Kid Cudi’s “The Prayer,” Chiddy Bang’s “Because,” Mickey Factz and Drake’s “Little Bit,” and now we can add Chiddy Bang’s “Kids.” A mixtape full of new school sampling would be sick, but that’s just an idea

UPDATE: That mixtape is an idea in the making now, I guess — leave your requests and suggestions in the comments.

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