The Sample Axis Podcast
The Sample Axis Podcast explores music sampling and throwback music, covering classic tracks, samples, and the stories behind them. The show invites listeners to join the conversation via social media and email. It focuses on the intersection of old and new sounds, celebrating the art of sampling.
Episodes
88: Darkoo, Olamide and Mayorkun; Afrobeats Catchup, OD vs Blaq
New episode featuring 3 samples.
87: The Feast Review; Gimme Dat // Wyclef Jean; Rema // Sade; Anytime Reimagined
New episode discussing Falz's new album - The Beast, Kizz Daniel's Lemon Chase and other new music. Samples featured are Ayra Starr ft Wizkid - Gimme Dat sampling Wyclef Jean's Diallo and 911; Rema famously Sampling Is It a Crime? by Sade; plus Anytime Reimagined by ID Cabasa which storytelling pattern is also present on QDot's Moriamo. Enjoy and share.
86: 5IVE Review, Corona's Rhythm of the Night and some Wayne Wonder
Sample Axis episode for April 2025 Breakdown0:00 Afrobeats albums catchup49:00 Debarge, Corona, Black Eyed Peas - Rhythm of the Night samples1:05:00 Ruger "sampling" Wayne Wonder
85: Sample Axis Back, Tolibian's Ramadan and Burna Back to Reality
You can listen to the podcast on streaming platforms.
84. Bongos Ikwue's Peaceful Search and other Remakes
This episode is about old folks collaborating with a younger generation for preservation and other perks. We explore Chris Ajilo x Banky W x Korede Sax; Victor Olaiya x 2Baba; Bongos Ikwue x 2Baba and Orlando Julius x Seyi Shay.
We enjoyed producing this. We hope you love it. Please share and give us feedback too.
Follow @SampleAxisPod on X.
Catchup Episode
Nelson and Gboyega reflect on the podcast's long vacation.
83. Post Disco Era and Familiar Names
A freestyle journeying through the famous Post Disco music genre.
82. Adekunle Gold // J. O. Araba; Asake // Alhaji Agba
This episode features sampling of Kelegbe Megbe by J. O. Araba on Adekunle Gold's 2019 hit song as well as Asake sampling Ayinde Barrister's Oke Agba on his debut album opener. Enjoy and share.
81. Blaqbonez // Bill Withers; Wizkid // Se7en
This episode takes a look at Wizkid's breakout song "Holla At Your Boy" and the sample that forms the base of the song, Girls by South Korean popstar, Se7en. We are always happy to present this. Please enjoy and share. Your feedback and 5-star rating will be appreciated.
79. Fuji and Hiphop Parallel History from 1979.
The Jide Taiwo joins us to talk Fuji music history. And Hiphop too.
78. Recap for Quarter Six: Hotstepper, Papa Wemba, FESTAC 77.
The guys recap the last 12 episodes. Enjoy and share.
77. FESTAC '77 feat Dele Adeyanju
Radio Personality and Yoruba Music Historian, Dele Adeyanju (Agbaletu) joins Gboyega and Nelson for a special episode of the podcast reviewing the 2nd World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture. It's episode 77 of the podcast so we wanted to be sleek. Listen, subscribe, send feedback and share widely.
76. Iyogogo and Fine Ballads in Yoruba
P - Square sampling Onyeka Onwenu's Iyogogo, Teni on Were picks from Sola Allyson-Obaniyi. Enjoy.
74. Our Lord Jesus is our Ladder
Sample Axis' Happy Boys are back. We discuss Olamide's YBNL sampling Sister Agnes Iro's Ladder among other stories.
73. Lingua Afrobeats
This episode attempts to decipher why Yoruba Language is technically the most dominant language of Afrobeats. Follow @SampleAxisPod.
72. Sample of the Year, Last Last.
Conversation around Burna Boy sampling Toni Braxton on Last Last.
71. Ad Music: I Wish I Knew Joromi
This episode discusses the musical history of songs featured in two popular Nigerian adverts - Skye Bank's Saying Yes campaign, and Star Nigeria at 60 campaign. Songs include: I Wish I Knew How To Be Free by Dr. Billy Taylor, covered by Nina Simone and Lighthouse Family at different times. Sir Victor Uwaifo's Joromi employed in Nigerian Breweries' Star Beer at 60 campaign. We hope that you enjoy t
70. Ludwig van Beethoven for the Kids
This episode features the piano piece by Beethoven called Fur Elise and how the music was sampled on Nas' hit record, I Can. Also, part 2 is Meek Mill sampling Hate Me Now, also by Nas. Enjoy.
69. Pasuma, Akon, Bobby Vinton ft Adams Murphy
Our pairs for today cover Pasuma sampling Akon's Belly Dancer on Akọrin De from his Fuji Motion album and Akon sampling Bobby Vinton's Mr Lonely. Follow @SampleAxisPod and @NwaenieN.
68. Be The One; Be My Man
This episode discusses Davido's 1 Milli sampling a progression on Dua Lipa's Be The One. Also Zinoleesky samples Aṣa's Be My Man on Loving you. Listen and enjoy.
67. Papa Wemba: Rumba, Soukous and African Music Legacy
This episode is about the King of Congolese Rumba, Papa Wemba. His life and music legacy. Follow us @SampleAxisPod on Twitter.
66. Here Comes The Hotstepper
This episode features MC Eiht, Alex O, Ini Kamoze, Wande Coal and Don Jazzy.
65. Season 5 Recap
Our review of the last 12 episodes. Great conversation altogether too. Listen and enjoy.
64. Diss Samples: Ruggedman and 9ice in 2010
A diss that has come and gone but music that would continue to be available to us. Ruggedman and 9ice threw lyrical punches at each other many years ago and some of the songs that helped create are discussed on this episode of the podcast. Chinaydu, a rapper affiliated with Ruggedman tapped from The Whispers' big hit "And The Beat Goes On" as 9ice told his side of the story on "Once Bitten, Twice
62. Denge Pose and Catch Me With a Bud
We dissect 2 songs that sample a Nigerian classic song, Denge Pose by Baba Fryo - A Budweiser remix by Teni x Johnny Drille and Adekunle Gold's Mercy. We also speak a little about AG's 2022 Catch Me If You Can album. Listen and share.
61. Ayé La Ba: The Legend of Ambrose Campbell feat. Dami Ajayi
The episode attempts to discuss a bit about the man recognised as the father of Modern Nigerian music - Ambrose Oladipupọ Adekoya Campbell. The episode also dissects his hit song, Ẹni Ri Nnkan he, sampled by Chief Ebenezer Obey. Enjoy and follow @JollyPaps1, @SampleAxisPod.
60. Eminem // Aerosmith; Common // Electric Light Orchestra
Another international episode.
59. Nigerian Raggae and Other Stories
The Reggae scene was a very big one in the Nigerian space during the late 80s and early 90s with some many superstars representing the genre. In this episode the guys talk about the culture and how important it is in the Culture of Nigerian music till date with a look at the pioneers in this part of the world leading to the early 2000s with artists like Stereoman giving it a new wave.
58. The Modim Interview
The Sample Axis chats with Modim on his music and finding his love for the Rock genre. Find @ModimX, @SampleAxisPod @NwaenieN and @gboyega_adeoya on Twitter. Send us feedback on sampleaxis1@gmail.com.
54. Nigerian Influence in Contemporary African Music
We take a few samples from Tanzania and Sierra Leone
57. Veronica Vega // Musuliu Iṣola; The Outfields // Wyclef Jean // Ayanfe
On this episode the guys talk about a very interesting topic. Talking about the influence of the group from the 80s called The Outfield with their song "Your Love" that was a big banger in the mid 80s which went on to inspire Wyclef Jean with his hit in the year 2004 called L.O.V.E which sampled the song making it a hit made from a hit. We also discuss at length the story of Musilu Haruna Ishola a
56. The Story of The Dready Boys from Igbo-Ukwu (Part 1)
This episode is about the Nigerian Raggae boy band that became a sensation in the early 90s - The New Waves. Also known as The Dready Boys. Enjoy this episode and share widely.
55. Jonas Blue // Tracy Chapman; Eminem // Haddaway
This episode we talk a lot about Tracy Chapman and the remake of her iconic 1988 hit song, Fast Car by Jonas Blue and Dakota. On the other side, Eminem's No Love featuring Lil Wayne samples Haddaway's What Is Love? Enjoy and share.
53. Ijo Soul; Orlando Julius and James Brown for The Culture
Back in 1966, Nigerian Afrobeat Legend, Orlando Julius Ekemọde did an interpolation of James Brown's global smash hit, I Feel Good. We discuss the connections plus other stories. Listen and share the podcast.
52. Season 4 Recap
A recap of the last 12 episodes.
51. The Paybac Iboro Interview
We interview the self-acclaimed West African Goat of hiphop music - Paybac Iboro as we talk about his early influences, albums and dealing with depression. Listen and share widely. Follow us on Twitter @SampleAxisPod, @gboyega_adeoya and @NwaenieN.
50. The Special 50 (Part 2)
This is the concluding part of the golden jubilee episode.. Whatever that means.
50. The Special 50. (Part 1)
The guys pick out and discuss 50 special songs around the world and over the longest time. Enjoy this episode after our very long break and please share in your circle. Follow @SampleAxisPod on Twitter.
49. Jim Rex Lawson's Sawale + Remakes by Alex Zitto and Flavour
Cardinal Jim Rex Lawson is a Nigerian highlife legend. We attempt to review some of his music and part of his story. His 1969* his song, Sawale remains a Nigerian classic and this episode examines samples of the as done by Alex Zitto on Walakolombo and by Flavour on Nwa Baby, decades later.Cardinal Jim Rex Lawson is a Nigerian highlife legend. We attempt to review some of his music and part of his
48. Pac BIG Diss Samples: Dennis Edwards, Siedah Garrett and David Porter
The episode examines 2 songs sampled by rap legends 2 Pac and Notorious BIG on 2 major diss tracks directed at one another - Who Shot Ya and Hit Them Up. Don't Look Any Further by Dennis Edwards x Siedah Garrett and I'm Afraid The Masquerade is Over by David Porter. Listen and share.
47. The Queen of Atrado Rhythms, Oby Onyioha
Oby Onyioha was a beacon of disco music with African essence and she ruled the airwaves with many of her hit songs in the 80s. We chat about her music and legacy on this episode of the podcast. Featured songs include Nigeria Is Gonna Make It, Party Party, Slow Down and Nne Nenye. Listen, enjoy and share.
46. Ayangba Girls Are Still Dangerous
We talk the refix of Busta Rhymes' Dangerous by Nigerian duo Black Reverendz in 2000. The other pair for this episode is Modenine's Mystery Girl sampling Bob Marley's Is This Love, produced by Stormatic. Listen and enjoy. Please follow @SampleAxisPod, @gboyega_adeoya and @NwaenieN. Mail us at sampleaxis1@gmail.com.
45. Fat Joe // Tina Turner; Eve // Yarbough and Peoples
Another international episode here featuring some 80s through early 2000s music. Enjoy and share.
44. 4:44
We dissect some samples on Jay-Z's 2017 critically acclaimed 13th studio album.
43. Flavour // Lionel Richie; X Smile // Baba Ara
This episode features mostly talk on Lionel Richie's discography and the sample of the song Stuck On You on Flavour's Oyi Na Tumo song. We also speak briefly on Baba Ara's music. Listen and share.
42. Eugene Wilde, Foxy Brown and P Square; Gotta Get You Home Tonight
The simple and elegant writing of Eugene Wilde back in 1984 was so good that it influenced two generations ahead of its time. Gboyega and Nelson talk about the beautiful piece of music and how it influenced then 18 year old Foxy Brown to make a hit record that would become one of her signature tunes, this also leads us down to Nigeria as one of the big guns in the early 2000s in Psquare started th
41. Rasqie // DMX; Remedies // Grady Harrell
The guys discuss the Nigerian music scene in the early 2000s with the Rasqie sample that blew the air waves at the time, coming off the hut of hits for DMX that can be said to be the starting point of the greatness that is DMX with the Swizz Beats produced song "Ruff Ryders Anthem". They also track back to 1999 to revisit The Remedies album that had Shakomo and silent jam Belinda which sampled Gra
40. Distant Relatives from Angola: David Zé, Damian Marley and Nas.
On this episode, we do a pseudo review of the cross cultural 2010 album by Nas and Damian Marley. A comparison of the times for the sample on Friends. Also a back story on David Zé whose song Wawe Undenge was interpolated. Music: Bob Marley | Waiting In Vain David Zé | Wawe Undenge Nas & Damian Marley | Friends Follow @Sam
39. Sample Axis Podcast Season 3 Recap
Nelson and Gboyega summarise the content of the last 12 episodes.
38. King Sunny Ade, Moelogo and Bunny Mack: Sweetie Penkele!
This episode starts with Gboyega and Nelson talking about timeless music and that opens up the conversation on the influence of King Sunny Ade and his peers. His drive from being a star in Africa to being a global phenomenon. With his sound representing the Nigerian and African culture on the world stage like Miriam Makeba and Manu Dibango. The hosts then talk about the Sierra Leone star that was
36. A Tribute to Sound Sultan
This episode pays tribute to one of the pioneers of contemporary Nigerian music in the late 90s, Olanrewaju Fasasi, the 8th Wonder, Sound Sultan. We discuss some of his albums. Listen and share. Music used: Sound Sultan - Obalola. Sound Sultan - Motherland Remix
35. The Migos | French Montana
Nelson helps us recap some stories about The Temptations as we examine the sample of Poppa Was A Rolling Stone on Avalanche by The Migos. Also, we talk French Montana's FWMGAB sampling Hips Don't Lie. Featured songs Poppa Was A Rolling Stone | The Temptations: https://youtu.be/71l85z2bXAs
Avalanche | The Migos: https://youtu.be/J0ll_stAEpc
Hips Don
34. One Day E Go Better | Mike Nliam, Abay Esho and Eldee The Don.
In 2010, Eldee The Don dropped The Return of the King. It was his fifth album. Typical of Eldee, conscious of the situation in the country, he made a song of hope for Nigeria's future. The song is titled One Day.
It's a rap song with two verses explicitly exploring the many dramatic and disturbing stories of the horror of Nigerian livelihood. The chorus was inspired by the song One Day E Go Bette
33. The Change in the Mixtape Culture in Hiphop
We're joined by Philip Okiokio for this episode about hiphop and the evolution we have perceived in mixtape culture.
32. Microsamples, Tubaba and Teddy Pendergrass
This episode picks micro samples from Victor AD's Olofofo and Tubaba's Outside. Featured acts on this episode: Sade Adu, 9ice and Soty. Have fun listening and share with a friend.
31. Sting | Shinehead | Shirazee, Sarz | Napoleon Da Legend | Englishman In New York
We present some stories and views on select covers of Sting's 1987 tune, Englishman In New York.
30. Lil Kim // Sade; Jadakiss, Fabolous // Tevin Campbell
Episode 30 of the Sample Axis Podcast. On this episode, we discuss first the genre-bending sampling
done by Queen Bee (Lil Kim) on the rap jam "Single Black Female" which takes a part of Sade Adu’s Sweetest Taboo with help from Mario Winans giving the song a new and completely different vibe. As far as samples go this is one of the books. The second part of the episode has background stories on a
29. Peruzzi // Bob Marley; Yonda // Yinka Ayefele
The first half of this episode is some major talk on Bob Marley and Raggae music heritage. Peruzzi's God Forbid samples Stir It Up by the Raggae legend. The other part of the episode is on Afrobeats act Yonda sampling a melody from Yinka Ayefele's Mi O Mọ Jorin Lọ from the album Aspiration. Listen and share. Follow @SampleAxisPod.
28. Ad Music: Kanye and Katrina For Guinness and Ovaltine
Some big talk on Nigerian advertising through the use of popular or unique music pieces. The Guinness Ad of the early 2019s using the song Black Skinhead by Kanye West is discussed here. Ovaltine is a Nigerian beverage brand that created a kiddies song from the popular Walking On Sunshine on by Katrina and The Waves. Listen, share and please leave a feedback on sampleaxis1@gmail.com
27. Pac, Lyte and The Remedies: The Iconic Quincy Jones Sample
Talk on a number of songs that sampled the beat of the song Liberian Girl, produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson.
26. Season 2 Recap
We go over the last 12 episodes. Listen and enjoy.
24. How about Lijadu Sisters and Ayra Starr and a bit about Seyi Sodimu?
On this episode, we discuss the celestial connection between Lijadu Sisters and rising songstress Ayra Starr. Also, Seyi Sodimu pays tribute to Ebenezer Obey on Pele Pele Remix. Listen and share. Follow @SampleAxisPod, @NwaenieN and @gboyega_adeoya on Twitter. Mail sampleaxis1@gmail.com.
21. Odunsi The Engine //P Square; DMW // Usher
This episode opens up on Odunsi The Engine - his musical prowess and vast musical quality. He samples P Square's Ifunaya on Falling. The other pair tackles another great record with Usher's Caught Up remade in the 2018 record by DMW titled Mind. With a rich history and talk on how influences can not be underestimated, this episode is one of many. Please listen and share. Follow @SampleAxisPod. Mai
23. Adam Salim - Miriam Makeba - Yinka Ayefele: The Long Line of the Malaika Melody
A Tanzanian love song credited to Adam Salim and Fadhili William is discussed on this episode. It is arguably one of the most sampled African songs. Simple yet very iconic. We discuss Miriam Makeba's rendition of the song as well as Nigerian Gospel musician, Yinka Ayefele who made a short cover in 1999. Listen and share. Follow @SampleAxisPod, @NwaenieN and @gboyega_adeoya. Mail: sampleaxis1@gmail
22. The Origins of Ṣowanbe Music: A Tribute to Tunde Nightingale.
This episode is a tribute to the highly respected Western Nightingale, a Nigerian pioneer traditional/juju musician. He was active from as early as the late 1940s and played at the upper echelon of Nigerian music in that era. Also, we consider a remake of one of Nightingale's melodies by Tillaman in 2014. And Yinka Oladepo, a lover of classic Nigerian music joins us for the discussion.
20. Heavy K // Phil Collins; Cassper Nyovest // Malaika
Phil Collins' Another Day In Paradise is the oldest of all four songs featured on this episode of The Sample Axis Podcast. The song is remade in Heavy K's 2020 lockdown hit, Uyeke which features Natalia Mabaso. The other pair is Cassper Nyovest's hiphop rejuvenation of South African pop group - Malaika's Destiny. Enjoy and share the podcast. Follow us on Twitter @SampleAxisPod.
19. Eddy Okonta, Old Roger, Umqombothi and Other Stories
This episode throws it back to the life and times of Nigerian highlife legend, Edwin Chukwuemeka Okonta because his name was mentioned as a title for a song by DJ Spinall and Reminisce Alaga Ibile. Also on this episode, DJ Neptune and Kizz Daniel sample Yvonne Chaka Chaka's Umqombothi. Kizz Daniel's No Do is also featured here for a sample of Tales by Moonlight - an old kiddies show on TV.
Old Ro
17. 2 Pac // Bruce Hornsby; David Guetta // Suzanne Vega
The third foreign episode of the SAP features the legendary rapper and hiphop revolutionary, 2PAC Shakur. We talk about the Bruce Hornsby sample on Changes. Also David Guetta is in the conversation, regarding the Ava Max feature that sampled Suzanne Vega from 1982.
18. Sean Tizzle // CAC Good Women Choir; Jamopyper // Ice Prince
Sean Tizzle samples an iconic end-of-the-year song from 1979 done by the CAC Good Women Choir. Also on this episode, a Naija hiphop classic Oleku is sampled on a Jamopiper/Mayorkun jam.
16. Wurld // Sir Shina Peters; Davido // Kojo Funds
30 years apart, Afro Juju music in Nigeria gets recreated with a new touch by the amazing vocalist, Wurld. We also talk a bit about Davido's Fall sampling Kojo Funds' Dun Talkin. Listen and share.
15. Maintain//Ludacris; Sauti Sol//Dr Alban
We go to Kenya for this episode talking about one of the best African boy bands in recent years - Sauti Sol in connection to Dr Alban's epic number - Hello Africa. But before that, Nigerian group, Maintain made a Naija version of Ludacris and Nate Dogg's Area Codes from early Y2K. Enjoy the sample axis.
14. VIP Ahomka Womu // Wizkid; Nelly // Phyno
Back from a break, the sample axis team talk a lot on Wizkid sampling 2003 Ghanaian smash hit Ahomka Womu by Hiplife group, VIP. Also, we mention bits on Phyno doing a tiny interpolation on Nelly's Dilemma instrumental.
13. Season 1 Finale
A recap of all episodes in season 1
12. The Story of Eddie Quansa; The Peacock Guitar Band // Runtown
We explore the highlife music friendship between Nigeria and Ghana. Also featured: Runtown samples The Peacock Guitar Band's Eddie Quansa. A production sample by Killbeatz for M.anifest's Forget Dem is also discussed.
11. T Jan//Omarion; May D//Hi Five
DJ Mustard produced Post To Be gets sampled by TJan + 2011 May D Soundtrack takes a bite off Hi Five's Kissing Game.
10. Biggie Smalls // Mtume; Flo Rida // Eiffel 65
This non-Nigerian episode analyses Mtume's Juicy Fruit sampled by Notorious BIG and the song Blue (Dabadee) by Eiffel 65 remade by Flo Rida.
9. Burna // Sade // Marc; Olamide // Whitney
This episode explores Time Flies by Burna Boy x Sauti Sol sampling Sade Adu and Marc Anthony. We also analyse Olamide sampling Whitney Houston/Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You on Baddo Love.
8. Sky B // Eminem; T Classic // Bruno Mars
Episode 8 of The Sample Axis Podcast
7. Laycon, Simi // Naughty By Nature
On this episode, we explore the details on 2 Nigerians sampling a smash hit by Naughty by Nature 27 years after. Big talk on featured projects - Who Is Laycon? and Simisola.
6. P Square - The Fugees, Show Dem Camp - 2 Shotz
P Square's early hit song Bizzy Body samples Ready Or Not by The Fugees. Also, we explore Show Dem Camp's In Case as they sample 2 Shotz and Timaya.
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