Walk On The Wild Side: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG6fayQBm9w
Can I Kick It: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v65eXd56Yp8
The band, A Tribe Called Quest, is well known for sampling excerpts of songs from various artists to create their own music. Perhaps one of their most popular creations is the song called “Can I Kick It” that samples its bass/guitar intro from Lou Reed’s “Walk On The Wild Side.” The first and most noticeable difference between these two pieces is the time periods and genres in which they were created. “Walk On The Wild Side” was produced in the year 1972 by rock artists Lou Reed while “Can I Kick It” was produced in the year 1990 by hip/hop and rap band A Tribe Called Quest. Immediately, I think about how just as sound and voice has evolved over time so has music. A Tribe Called Quest builds on Lou Reed just as Barthes and Sterne did on Plato and Aristotle. Similar to how theoretical discussion regarding voice has developed from its foundation, musical sampling draws inspiration and meaning from its predecessors.
While the genre and type of music differs between these two pieces, their impact is relatively similar. Both songs open with the same bass/guitar combo that eases the listener into an equally tranquil mental landscape. This keeps the authenticity of Lou Reed’s creation intact. It is important to notice that this is achieved void of “voice” and solely on musical composition. On a different note, it must be acknowledged that A Tribe Called Quest did obtain permission from Lou Reed to use the sample in their song. This is pertinent because it negates the idea of forgery or stealing and instead becomes a creation of added meaning.
