Recently we wrote about the history of sampling and the resurgence of golden era disco references in underground dance music – read more here. But you don’t have to dig so deep to find disco and house throwbacks, they have infiltrated the mainstream.

In fact the world’s biggest cross-genre artists are reaching into the crates for killer dance records that lend an edge of authenticity. The likes of Drake, Kanye West and Flo Rida have been inspired by records from the Defected catalogue and further house music circles, turning classic underground records into huge pop hits. Saving you the hassle of ID’ing those familiar basslines, vocals and synth sequences – we’ve done it for you.

Jess Glynne – All I Am 

Kings Of Tomorrow – Finally

Are there any more icon intros than Kings Of Tomorrow 'Finally'? Arguably the best known house anthem ever made, songstress and record-breaking British artist Jess Glynne made it her own on her latest single 'All I Am'. 

Jax Jones featuring RAYE – You Don’t Know Me 

Musician, presenter, DJ and producer extraordinaire Jax Jones seems to have the magic formula for dance-led chart toppers at the moment. For this multi-platinum track featuring British singer RAYE he borrowed heavily from the seminal banger 'Body Language' released on Get Physical in 2005.

M.A.N.D.Y. vs. Booka Shade – Body Language

Drake featuring Jorja Smith – Get It Together 

Drake has taken inspiration from everything from UKG through to Moodymann and Jamie xx. On his 2017 album More Life he collaborated with Jorja Smith with a beautiful melody borrowed from South African house producer Black Coffee.        

Black Coffee featuring Bucie – Superman

Kanye West – Fade 

Kanye West used not one but three house samples in his final single from 2016 album The Life Of Pablo. The most recognisable of which is Hardrive's 'Deep Inside', a Strictly Rhythm classic, as well as Barbara Tucker's 'I Get Lifted'. Plus the bassline itself is Mr Fingers' haunting 'Mystery Of Love'. West proved that genre bending, when executed with finesse, enhances both the original and new records and can create defining new waves of sound.

Hardrive – Deep Inside

 

MNEK – Paradise 

British singer and songwriter to the stars MNEK lends his incredible voice to 'Paradise', his 2017 single that takes inspiration from Ultra Nate. 'Free' reached #1 in Billboard's Dance chart in 1997 and was a defining moment for iconic New York label Strictly Rhythm. 

Ultra Nate – Free

 

Flo Rida – Sweet Sensation 

He might be like marmite but there's no denying Flo Rida's chart power and he knows how to work a cheeky sample. His 2018 offering 'Sweet Sensation' referenced a true disco diva Loleatta Holloway and her 1983 smash 'Love Sensation'.                                                                                                                                                                                  
Loleatta Holloway – Love Sensation

 

Yogi x Maleek Berry x RAY BLK featuring Kid Ink – Baby 

 

One of the more creative uses of a sample that you'll see in this list, here the original has been slowed down to create an expansive backdrop for a UK meets US hip-hop track. "I wanted to pay homage to the original sample and make something that rappers would want to jump on," Yogi told Complex at the time, referring to his use of Julio Bashmore's 2012 song 'Au Seve'.

Julio Bashmore – Au Seve

All the original tracks and hundreds more can be found in our BEST HOUSE & CLUB TRACKS: HOUSE MUSIC ALL LIFE LONG Spotify playlist, your streaming destination for the very finest in house music.