Sampling and Remixing in EDM

Recently we discussed sampling while in lecture. Sampling by definition is the taking of one sample of a sound recording and reusing it in a new song as an instrument or sound recording. This can have many legal implications due to copyright infringement, which is why a huge controversy sprung up when digital sampling of hip hop became so widespread. Though as long as the rights are granted, then sampling is completely legal.
Today sampling is still prominent, especially with the rise of electronic dance music. Electronic Dance Music, known as EDM is a genre of music where djs sample many pieces and put a twist on it that makes it more hype. One current example of this is of a very well-known artist Kaskade, Kaskade and CID recently released a new song called "Sweet Memories" which is comprised of a sample of the timeless Motown song, "Same Old Song". "Same Old Song" was written by the Four Tops in the early 1950s. Kaskade uses this sample and to people familiar with Motown music, the sample is instantly clear.

The Four Tops lyrics:
Now it's the same old song
But with a different meaning
Since you been gone
It's the same old song

are replaced with Kaskade and CIDs' lyrics:
Your sweet memories I want to dance to all night long
All night long, all night long

Though the lyrics are far from similar, the music behind it (the beat) is exactly the same. This is what we know as a sample. Some may find it unoriginal to use someone else's work for the success of their own song, but I hold a different perspective. I believe sampling across different genres is a smart way for songs to be successful across genres of music. Most people would not enjoy the sonf by the Four Tops, especially in this generation. So Kaskade and CID have enhanced their song so that it reaches a new audience. When sampling is used it allows people to look back at old music and appreciate its originality, even if they love the song only in its new element. Essentially it is a compliment to the original artist that their recording was so beautiful and talented that it gave inspiration to a new song.

We also discussed remixing. Remixing by definition is an alteration of a piece of media from its original state by adding, removing, or changing pieces of the media. Remixing is constantly done within EDM by multiple artists. The minute a new song is released by a big name DJ, then every other DJ decides to remix that song. Personally, I like remixing as some DJs may have a good song, yet it is not the type of EDM that I like. Then DJs i do like can reuse that song and alter it for their listener's interests. EDM has many different subgenres, yet songs cross genres religiously as DJs remake almost every popular new song. For instance, the song "Feel the Volume" by Jauz is remixed by Joyrde and I think Joyrde's version is better.

All together, remixing and sampling may seem like unoriginality at its finest, though I think it is the sharing of pieces of media across borders of music. These styles of making music allow original songs to reach even greater potential. Songs are able to expand to new audiences and inspire artists. It allows for a collectivitisc culture of musically inclined artists.