9th Wonder On Sampling For Kendrick Lamar | The Formula, S1E2

Even though he produced three beats for “Duckworth,” 9th Wonder had a realization during our interview. Three samples, three genres, three generations-- Kendrick Lamar intentionally wove "threes all the way across."
Watch the second season early at npr.org/theformula
READ THE COMPANION ESSAY
“Kendrick Lamar Thinks Like A Jazz Musician” by Marcus J. Moore
Kendrick Lamar's song "DUCKWORTH." is made up of three beats, each built around a different sample, by producer 9th Wonder. The way Lamar stitched those beats together illuminates his relationship with contemporary and historical jazz musicians. That essay is here: n.pr/2VdwOIz
FULL SERIES PLAYLIST HERE
• The Formula - All Seasons
CREDITS
Host: Rodney Carmichael; Producers: Nick Michael; CJ Riculan, Maia Stern; Animator: CJ Riculan; Director of Photography: Colin Marshall; Editor: Annabel Edwards; Videographers: Colin Marshall, CJ Riculan, Morgan Noelle Smith; Audio Recording Engineer: Colin Marshall; Audio Mix Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Supervising Producer: Nick Michael; Senior Producer: Abby O'Neill; Consulting Editor: Jacob Ganz; Managing Editor: Becky Lettenberger; Executive Producers: Anya Grundmann, Keith Jenkins, Lauren Onkey; Special Thanks: Eric Hilton, Robert "Kalani" Tifford, Peter Ugrin
MUSIC
"Girl," Destiny's Child, Destiny Fulfilled (2004)
"Be Ever Wonderful," Ted Taylor, Keepin' My Head Above Water (1978)
"Ostavi Trag," September, Zadnja Avantura (1976)
"Atari," Hiatus Kaiyote, Choose Your Weapon (2015)
"DUCKWORTH.," Kendrick Lamar, DAMN. (2017)
"Rose Water", DJ Face [series theme track]
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[@JYMAHJAMES]

I don't respect anyone who doesn't respect sampling

[@john_toss]

Duckworth still remains one of the best beats I’ve ever heard

[@Ted_DiSanti]

It's such a shame that there are still people who don't realize how much music there really is in hip-hop. The parallels between this and jazz is uncanny. When he talked about using motion, that's no different than how in the 20s and 30s moves like the charleston influenced the rhythms big bands played. Then he talked about using a sample differently than someone else. That right there is no different than the way jazz musicians of the bop era used contrafacts in different ways. The way Charlie Parker uses a chord progression is going to sound different when Coltrane uses the exact same progression and how they use the same progressions are what made them unique. Then when he talked about putting outfits together is like knowing when to use what licks in your arsenal during an improvised solo. It's really incredible how similar these two idioms are in spite of how different they seem on the surface.

[@gem-yogi]

The way they show the music is the same way they show flavors in Ratatouille

[@peterugrin]

I am happy 9thwonder found Ostavi Trag a cappella intro composed/arranged by my dad from the famous Yugoslavian band September. 40+ years later I am very proud on my dad as I am pleased sample was re-done properly... it grooves, its hip...

[@sosbeats4534]

If you’re reading this DONT give up on your dreams

[@AdrianDunevein]

"Sonic DNA from the past to cook up the future" Beautiful way for the beauty made in the past to live on

[@gilchivasa]

Some people have the gift of seeing music. This crazy!

[@TheeKaylaMarieOne]

Producers are basically like audio mathematicians.

[@cbridges1202]

That’s a lot goin on💀

[@SnoozeTheRecluse]

"Sampling is like Alchemy"

[@maximillianwhitehouse]

3:19

[@cousinchris5851]

He just talks about it all like it's so normal. Like he's not a living legend. 9th is an alien

[@timestampingarmy]

He said sampling is like Alchemy....most accurate description

[@susiq1121]

One of my top 3 producers

[@enregalia5033]

duckworth was the best song ,,, from the three beats and the impeccable storytelling

[@linc3152]

1:15

[@michealhaines]

9th Wonder is a perfect mix of the old school Dilla style drum machine and new age laptop producers. It's awesome seeing producers keep that old crate digger sample style while still being able to streamline the work flow!

[@scottruigrok5986]

He is a genius. Period.

[@wonderlight3000]

Hiatus Kiayotes sound is clearly influenced by Dillas beats. So sampling Hiatus Kiayote is like closing a circle. I felt similar with beats that sample Adrian Younges songs.