The Truth – Handsome Boy Modelling SchoolĪlthough the sample is unaltered, the uplifting piano in this track is utterly magnificent, with the only thing improving it is the wonderful vocals provided by Roison Murphy.ģ. Sample: Young-Holt Unlimited – Strangers in the NightĤ. It’s got it all – the all-star ensemble, the dope beats, and those marvellous piano chords. Return Of The Crooklyn Dodgers – Crooklyn Dodgers It’s been sampled a few times recently (more accurately, ripped-off), but the original piano sample is still a mystery.ĥ. Sampling at it’s best.Īnother melancholic use of piano that is just too good. As Guru states, “ Suckas we wet to the sound of the dope piano…”Ī serious beat from the streets with it’s shady piano chords telling the story as much as the lyrics – one of, if not the darkest use of a piano in hip hop.Ī classic from Nas’ debut, with a glistening piano sample that is cut up beautifully by one of my favourite producers, Pete Rock. In contrast to complex piano patterns, Premo simply uses 2 jazz chords and a fragile sprinkle of high keys to provide the backdrop for this bangin’ hip hop track. Sample: The Loading Zone – Can I Dedicate The reason this sits at number 10 is only due to it’s limited appearance – although a basic piano sample sits on top of this beat throughout, the second verse brings in this wonderfully soulful jazz piano that really shines through the fantastic production in the track. Here is my top 10 favourite uses of a piano in the world of hip hop – they do range in order, but are not strict in that sense.Īlso, my good friend Adam has posted his respective top 10 piano samples on his blog, so check them out.ġ0. Either way, it can be a great element of hip hop production. However, an often overlooked element of the hip hop palette is the piano – an organic addition that can sound either incredibly menacing or wonderfully delicate depending on the context of the track. Groovy drums, funk brass, fat basslines, vintage vocal cuts – these are all common sample sources for the production of hip hop.