When it comes to the art of sampling, few artists in the hip-hop industry can rival the ingenuity and brilliance of the late MF Doom. Known for his unique and avant-garde production style, Doom had a knack for weaving together obscure and eccentric samples to create mesmerizing beats. One of his most notable samples comes from the legendary French jazz-funk band Cortex.
MF Doom’s track ‘One Beer’ is a prime example of his masterful sampling technique. The song samples Cortex’s ‘Huit Octobre 1971,’ a mesmerizing instrumental track that was released in, you guessed it, October 1971.
From the very first seconds of ‘One Beer,’ you can hear the hypnotic and jazzy melody that originally belongs to Cortex. The main musical motif of ‘Huit Octobre 1971’ forms the backbone of Doom’s track, providing a soulful and nostalgic atmosphere that perfectly complements his intricate rhyme schemes and thought-provoking lyrics.
By incorporating Cortex’s ‘Huit Octobre 1971’ into ‘One Beer,’ MF Doom not only pays homage to the original artists but also adds his own unique touch to the composition. He expertly manipulates the sample, looping and chopping it to fit his specific vision, and transforming it into the backbone of his own musical creation.
What makes MF Doom’s use of the Cortex sample even more impressive is his ability to integrate it seamlessly into his own production style. Doom was renowned for his ability to merge disparate musical elements, effortlessly blending jazz, funk, soul, and even obscure cinematic snippets. By utilizing the ‘Huit Octobre 1971’ sample, he captures the essence of Cortex’s jazz-funk sound while infusing it with his own gritty and experimental style.
It’s worth mentioning that MF Doom was not the first or only artist to sample Cortex’s ‘Huit Octobre 1971.’ Over the years, the track has been sampled by a variety of musicians, ranging from hip-hop producers to electronic artists. However, Doom’s interpretation of the sample stands out due to his masterful production skills and his innate ability to bring out the hidden nuances and layers within the original composition.
In conclusion, the song that MF Doom sampled from Cortex is ‘Huit Octobre 1971.’ Through his impeccable sampling technique, Doom transformed the jazzy and mesmerizing melody of the original track into the backbone of his own masterpiece, ‘One Beer.’ By paying homage to Cortex and infusing the sample with his own unique style, Doom solidified his status as a visionary producer and cemented his place in hip-hop history.
