Sample 101: Jay-Z’s “The Story of O.J.”

Back with more sample knowledge, this one from Jay-Z’s brand new album “4:44”, produced entirely by the legend known as No I.D.

The album itself is extremely sample-ridden, from the more obvious (Sister Nancy’s “Bam Bam” used on “Bam”) to the Sister Act soundtrack (Clark Sisters “Ha-Ya” sampled in “Family Feud”).

This one we’re focusing on is the first single with a video “The Story Of O.J.” and the utilisation of Nina Simone’s “Four Women”, from the 1966 album “Wild Is The Wind”. No I.D. alternates piano chops from the first 10 seconds along with Simone’s pitched up vocalising, particularly the line “My skin is black”, which tonally brings together the whole theme of race Jay is rapping about, and that the video portrays.

Check out the two samples back to back and find the chops:

Nina Simone – Four Women