6 songs that sampled classical music
in a genius way

Hip hop and pop music have long been genres where producers sample and reimagine sounds to craft a fresh and exciting track. One of the most intriguing sources of inspiration for songs is classical music samples. Classical music samples used in productions may be instantly recognizable, while others are stretched, warped, repitched and manipulated to create a new song.

Sampling classical music connects the melodies of the past with the rhythms of today. In this article, we’ll look at six standout songs that sampled classical music in a genius way.

Jump to these sections:

1. Nas – “I Can”
2. Xzibit – “Paparazzi”
3. Blackpink – “Shut Down”
4. Kevin Olusola – “Dark Winter”
5. Kelis – “Like You”
6. Dizzee Rascal ft. Giggs – “Nutcrackerz”

Follow along with Komplete Start for free and access powerful tools like Kontakt to start manipulating your own samples and crafting unique beats.

1. Nas – “I Can”

Nas’ highly influential anthem “I Can” inspired both children and adults to follow their dreams. Produced by Salaam Remi, “I Can” samples Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Für Elise.” In “I Can,” the first few bars of “Für Elise” are looped and used as the beat’s main musical framework. The sample was altered and shifted down a minor third.

The “Für Elise” sample is arranged in 4/4 time to fit the song’s drums and serves as its melodic and harmonic foundation. “I Can” charted in 2003 at #12 in Billboard Hot 100, and is Nas’s highest charting single as a lead artist to date. “I Can” is a prime example of how an iconic classical piece can be transformed into a hit record.

2. Xzibit – “Paparazzi”

“Paparazzi” is a song by Xzibit, and was the lead single from his debut album At the Speed of Life. Produced by Thayod Ausar, “Paparazzi” samples several songs, including “Pavane (Vocalise)” by Barbara Streisand, a version of Gabriel Fauré’s “Pavane.”

The sample used in “Paparazzi” is specifically the melody of the beginning of Streisand’s vocalized version of Gabriel Fauré’s “Pavane.” This melody without vocals is then used as the instrumental backing for Xzibit’s verses, but not during the choruses. Gabriel Fauré’s “Pavane” was written in 1887.

“Paparazzi” went onto become a West Coast hip-hop classic, exploring themes of staying true to oneself and resisting the pressures of fame.

3. Blackpink – “Shut Down”

Blackpink’s “Shut Down” was released in 2022 as the second single from the group’s second studio album, Born Pink. “Shut Down” samples the beginning of the third movement of Niccolò Paganini’s second violin concerto, commonly known as “La Campanella.” This classical piece is a well-known and widely recognized musical work.

The sample in “Shut Down” is taken from the opening four measures of the final movement of Paganini’s Violin Concerto No. 2. The sample is transposed down, meaning the notes are shifted to a lower pitch, as the original melody in La Campanella is in the key of D major, while “Shut Down” uses a sample of the original melody in a lower key. “Shut Down” effectively uses the “La Campanella” sample to give the song a dark and mysterious vibe. “Shut Down” was a commercial success and became Blackpink’s second number-one hit on the Billboard Global 200 as well as the first song by a K-pop act to top Spotify’s weekly chart.

4. Kevin Olusola – “Dark Winter”

Kevin Olusola, recently sampled Vivaldi’s “The Four Seasons” in his track “Dark Winter,” specifically the “Winter” movement.

Olusola, known for his beatboxing cello prowess with Pentatonix, masterfully blends the dramatic and recognizable strains of the winter movement, with modern elements like potent beatbox percussion, 808s, and R&B hooks.

5. Kelis – “Like You”

Kelis “Like You” appears on her 2006 album, Kelis Was Here, which debuted at number ten on the Billboard album charts. “Like You” samples Mozart’s famous coloratura “Queen of the Night” Aria (from The Magic Flute) and this sample is most clearly heard clearly in the song’s chorus.

In the first chorus, (at 0:28 in the recording), the “Queen of the Night” sample can be clearly heard. “Like You” is a unique example of how a classical opera sample can be used in R&B/soul, pop, and hip hop/rap.

6. Dizzee Rascal ft. Giggs – “Nutcrackerz”

Dizzee’s Rascal’s “Nutcrackerz” samples “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s ballet, The Nutcracker.  “Nutcrackerz” uses the iconic bells chiming in the background throughout the track. The “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” sample is instantly recognizable, and gives Dizzee’s song a universally appealing sound.

“Nutcrackerz” is a good example of how a well-known classical sample can be looped and paired with a hip hop beat to create a hit track.

Start creating classical samples with Komplete Start

Sampling classical music can be an inspiring way to start song ideas. It’s a powerful way to incorporate an epic melody and rework it into a new song, or use it as inspiration to build something entirely new for a modern audience.

You can use some of the orchestral instruments included in the free Komplete Start bundle to create your own fusion of classical music with hip hop, pop, electronic music, or any genre of your choosing.

Download a free copy of Komplete Start today, learn about sampling techniques, and start creating beats using your favorite classical music samples.

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