We’re fresh on the heels of The Life of Pablo’s release and everyone has a thinkpiece out. Don’t believe me? Take a quick scan of your TL. Don’t worry. I’ll wait.

There are pieces in defense of Kanye’s genius, stories on why we should love him or be justified in hating him, treatises on his personal politics, open letters on Taylor Swift’s behalf; the list goes on.

This article is none of those things.

As is the case with all Kanye West productions, TLOP is full of emotion, rife with soul stirring production, potent punchlines and awe inspiring features. I mean, he got R&B recluse, Frank Ocean, to hop on a track. No easy feat! For perspective, Frank hasn’t even been able to lock down a Frank Ocean verse on his own damn album.

Hip hop is deeply rooted in bricolage–creating immersive experiences via the layering of seemingly discordant things. Rap, hip hop culture’s verbal extension, often achieves this to dizzying effect through the art of sampling.

When it comes to samples, Kanye West is an imagineer. Mr. West tinkers with sound, faultlessly commingling music genres, challenging tastes and swelling the musical palates of self-professed hip hop traditionalists. The Life Of Pablo finds Kanye’s sampling skillset at an all time high. Expand your musical library and read along for my list of top TLOP samples:

“Bam Bam” by Sister Nancy

A staple at most family gatherings, “Bam Bam” is a reggae classic by legendary dancehall DJ Sister Nancy, that you’ve probably heard at one cookout or another. And, if you haven’t? Kanye’s got you covered.

“Bam Bam” makes a brief, yet impactful cameo on “Famous”– a Swizz Beatz’ produced song that can best be described via the flame emoji. By far the most controversial TLOP track (due in part to a now infamous Taylor Swift lyric), the reggae tinged sample adds a dash of melodic reprieve from Kanye’s braggadocio and bars that have garnered notoriety in all of fourfiveseconds.

“Do What You Gotta Do” by Nina Simone

Ms. Simone can do no wrong in my eyes, and it’s evident that Mr. West agrees. Ye’s use of Simone’s “Do What You Gotta Do” on “Famous”, his collaboration with Rihanna and Swizz Beatz, marks the fourth time the MC has enlisted Simone’s pipes on one of his joints (see: “Blood on the Leaves”, “New Day” and “Bad News”).

The sample, first covered by Rihanna near the song’s opening, is left virtually undisturbed–functioning as the track’s outro. Nina’s slow-burning delivery is just one of the innumerable reasons why she’s one of jazz music’s most frequently sampled artists.

“Panda” by Desiigner

“Panda”, by latest G.O.O.D. Music signee Desiigner, has been bubbling just under the surface of hip hop’s Top 40. The track’s been gaining steam and extended radio play in the Tri State area after being quietly uploaded to Soundcloud in December of last year.

In what is likely the co-sign of the year, Kanye incorporates the hook of the viral hit on “Pt. 2”; letting it serve as not one, but two separate verses.

“Mystery of Love” by Fingers, Inc.

Like any true Chicagoan, Kanye West has an affinity for house music. No seriously, they love it here. One of the stand out tracks of the project, the Post Malone and Ty Dolla $ign assisted “Fade”, finds Ye in perfect form with its use of Fingers, Inc.’s “Mystery of Love”. The artist stretches the sample to its limits– building the emotional intensity with a pulsating bassline.

“Deep Inside” by Harddrive

If you thought I was kidding about the Windy City’s devotion to house music,  I wasn’t. Being a son of the Second City, Kanye loaded the bases on “Fade” with an additional house track–the impossibly dancey, “Deep Inside”. You’ll hear the sample most notably via the repetitive refrain of those two words near the song’s close.

Bonus:

I cried the first time I listened to “Ultra Light Beam”. No, that’s not an exaggeration. Tears fell. TLOP’s leading track is a metaphorical “God dream”; transporting audiences to church with vocal backing from Chano, The-Dream, Kelly Price, Kirk Franklin and a full choir. Anthemic, “Ultra Light Beam” radiates out of speakers–meaning it’s a song that you feel good about listening to and sharing with grandma. Yeezus’ craftsmanship is hard at work, introing the self-proclaimed gospel song with the prayers of prepubescent preacher, Natalie is Great.

Are you interested in learning more about the samples behind some of your favorite songs? Let us know in the comments section!