DJ Dahi Unpacks His Spiritual Samples for Pusha T and Kendrick Lamar | The Formula, S1E3

Spinning records backwards was once condemned as satanic. But when DJ Dahi reverses samples- or alters his voice- to produce hits for the likes of Pusha T, Kendrick Lamar or Childish Gambino, it's a ministry of texture and sound.
Watch the second season early at npr.org/theformula
READ THE COMPANION ESSAY
“Kendrick Lamar's 'Money Trees' Is A Time Machine” by Jeff Weiss
Another song by Kendrick Lamar - this one produced by DJ Dahi - that uses a sample to change the flow of time. For writer Jeff Weiss, 'Money Trees' has the uncanny ability - at any time, in any mood - to drop him into a single night in 2015. That essay is here: n.pr/2Y6PsEO
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: Nickolai Hammar, Colin Marshall, Maia Stern; Audio Recording Engineer: Leo Del Aguila; Audio Mix Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Production Assistant: Shanti Hands; 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
MUSIC
"Drug Dealers Anonymous," Pusha T (2016)
"Silver Soul," Beach House, Teen Dream (2010)
"Money Trees," Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna, good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012)
"24K Magic," Bruno Mars, 24K Magic (2016)
"Loyalty," Kendrick Lamar, DAMN. (2017)
"Rose Water", DJ Face [series theme track]
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[@aiden359]

Beach house sample is still godly

[@rufatzeynalli5538]

yeah, its incredible

[@Seth-hc2bj]

That's my fav beach house song and I had no idea he sampled it on a Kendrick record

[@lgsnot]

Facts

[@oy3ah2025]

-OY3AH! " THIS THE GEM "

[@mizzymauri]

Goosebumps asf

[@TheArunster]

Money trees is one of the best instrumentals ever made.

[@kwamenkrumah6497]

Arun FACTS.

[@isaiahcampbell3992]

It is

[@whitenbald]

Heavenly song, loooove Jay Rock’s verse

[@irvkoi]

That sample coupled with the drums just puts you in a mood of vengeance

[@dudleygloriela7076]

Factz

[@sunglassesnadvil]

did NOT know he sang on loyalty . very cool

[@Exthacreative]

Matthew Melrose dope asf!!

[@hoc1992]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@miebiwilliams6394]

These sampling series has taken NPR to the next level

[@theoluproject]

@Miebi Williams I see that you are a fan of music production. When you get a chance, if you could check out some of the beat making videos on my KZbin channel. Don't forget to subscribe and like if you enjoy what you see.

[@patr1ckf1994]

It's done really well, loving it too.

[@millz_likethewindmill1730]

Notes taken from Vox I see...

[@renzobond]

This dude looks too chill for having made such a legendary beat like money trees

[@dguy8804395]

He’s made plenty of many amazing beats... he just stays even more lowkey than most producers. He deserves so much more recognition for his work

[@duck8624]

The beat is very chill so idk why chill guy wouldn't do it.

[@SSKMusicBeats]

Actually it makes perfect sense lol

[@liluhaas]

don't judge a boooooooook by it's

[@liluhaas]

geniuses minds are not always reflected on the outside, i think it's for a reason. below the radar and able to bring that fyre

[@gingersndragons]

this series needs 30min videos

[@theoluproject]

@Ginger I see your a fan of music production. When you get a chance if you could check out my some of my beat making videos on my page. (Support a dope producer)

[@MsPiineapple]

yes please.

[@kungagtk.5671]

Exactly

[@Petit-Jose]

this series is gold

[@WordsCoutureSA]

I am telling you 🙌🏽 but they take forever to release the episodes.

[@sprb4725]

Tebogo J Mosane you can watch them early on the website btw, the premier one is already their

[@bakeraus]

@@WordsCoutureSA A week between?

[@omnigodx11]

tiny desk is probably one of the best music channels on youtube

[@DJMaster7q]

When that Money Trees song was reversed, I got this massive smile

[@royalgee9621]

Bro same here!

[@brownie3454]

It's a universal oooooooooo moment

[@korruptnovellst4751]

Brah I swear tears came into my eyes

[@topbackpodcast2615]

DJ Dahi is probably top 5 hip hop producers of the 2010s. A very low key producer but he has some classics under his belt

[@AndreiBerezin]

Plus he looks like an ancient Egyptian god

[@theoluproject]

@Top Back Podcast I see that you are a fan of music production. When you get a chance, if you could check out some of the beat making videos on my KZbin channel. Don't forget to subscribe and like if you enjoy what you see.

[@Hotsauceonmy]

If you look at his discography his catalog is super impressive.

[@IG_Playglenthomas]

FACTS

[@goktubora]

It's strange 'dahi' means 'genius' in Turkish. This man is a genius.

[@crystal_jain]

Goktug Bora Soylamis “Dahi” means yogurt in Hindi lol. Love this yogurt genius

[@andreaj28]

wooah didn't know that! so cool

[@johannesgutenburg6425]

Dahi means curd, not yoghurt

[@TheeKaylaMarieOne]

Johannes Gutenburg yogurt is a form of curdled milk.

[@TheDortadam]

ben yazıcaktım tam gj

[@Bandstand]

Very nice NPR

[@heryouhatebuttowhoyoumaste1991]

Wish he had broken down how he made the sample for “Drug Dealers Anonymous” cause that sound is crazy

[@kalennault]

he did

[@mackstacks8913]

My DarkFetish he sampled himself

[@effective_cmpote]

i want to see the same. I know what you mean

[@allcapsbeats]

the beat he broke down in this video is 'drug dealers anonymous'

[@heryouhatebuttowhoyoumaste1991]

@@allcapsbeats He did not break down how he made the sample, Saying "I made it from vocal loops and fx's" is not breaking it down

[@nangosyahtom]

Him singing on Loyalty caught me off guard, always thought Kendrick and his different falsettos was all those voices

[@smartguy8219]

dj dahi is living legend. unique and still underrated music producer.

[@theoluproject]

@Smart Guy I see your a fan of music production. When you get a chance if you could check out my some of my beat making videos on my page. (Support a dope producer)

[@CarbonComs]

Any time I hear a beat that sounds reversed I gotta check if it was Dahi who did it. Sure enough he did Father Time which has that reverse section at the beginning.

[@arun2323]

This man be producing songs on one of the best albums ever made and yet so humble, respect !

[@drewtube6838]

DJ Dahi also did worst Behavior, a lot of tracks for Mac miller, Schoolboy Q and a Majority of Gambino's 3.15.20

[@wombat7961]

3.15.20 kinda scary good

[@jstrngs]

NPR smoked this series

[@kennylikesmusic]

when the beat kicks in on money trees its pure ecstasy

[@relmighttrip]

being a producer, 1:08 & 5:45 are HIGHLY relatable - & he was able to translate that thought/feeling many producers process as well

[@theoluproject]

@TRIPPY I see that you are a fan of music production. When you get a chance, if you could check out some of the beat making videos on my KZbin channel. Don't forget to subscribe and like if you enjoy what you see.

[@matttheking1655]

Shout out to Beach House... Their samples have made a lot of dope Hip.Hop & RnB music... Producer Zodiac from The Weeknd's House of Ballons' sampled 2 Great Songs from Beach House to produce 2 classic songs - The Party and the After Party and Loft Music...🔥🔥

[@topspinpfosten07]

rn I'm working on an essay about sampling and I wanted to use Loyalty as an example how sampling is an artform, cause it just covers so many of the common techniques used. Now we got the man himself explaining it, thanks so much npr 🙏🏼

[@theoluproject]

@Juri Berger I see that you are a fan of music production. When you get a chance, if you could check out some of the beat making videos on my KZbin channel. Don't forget to subscribe and like if you enjoy what you see.

[@Matthew-be9zy]

If anybody is really interested in the process of sampling, check out Rhythm Roulette by Mass Appeal

[@theoluproject]

@Matthew I see that you are a fan of music production. When you get a chance, if you could check out some of the beat making videos on my KZbin channel. Don't forget to subscribe and like if you enjoy what you see.

[@mescellaneous]

this is why i love sampled music. it's not about just making a musical pattern. the best part about music sometimes is the literal artifacts of the natural world, right? crackling in the music, people using voice in creative ways. what better than to restitch all these beautiful sounds into something bigger? to not repurpose sonic treasure is some reductivist pipe dream.

[@A7exandersca7es]

Never thought about the "alchemy" in those three ingredients flowing into eachother like the father spirit and all that. Genius. Thank you for sharing dahi

[@Weinthelane]

No wonder he has so many hits. Works with what sounds he has and doesn’t over do it. Dahi Goated.

[@DJXcalibur]

Most don’t even know that most music ever made by blacks have a church influence. When Little Richard created rock and roll that was a derivative of the church songs he grew up singing. This same thing can be applied to many other artists like Aretha Franklin and many others. In hip hop we have kept that same lineage. We sample those classic songs and riffs. We also continue to dig back into church songs for inspiration on riffs, chords, and in some instances lyrics!

[@SP-qf6mn]

Xcalibur Da Turntablist Then what inspired church music?

[@yussufdh2055]

Spirituals

[@justchaz.]

@@SP-qf6mn LOL ;)

[@luexxiiidjsecurity3500]

@@SP-qf6mn Juke joints back in the day. Thomas Dorsey, who has been given the name the father of gospel music, fused blues with a gospel message. At first, gospel music wasn't accepted in church because of it sounding worldly.

[@boimesa8190]

Wow you're so intelligent

[@zyo678]

That Money Trees record will forever be timeless💯🙏🏿 Thank you DJ Dahi

[@youngeddo3447]

Had no idea he sung that on loyalty.. that’s dope af.. the process to making music is other worldly especially when there’s pain put behind the music

[@andreaj28]

DJ dahi is one of my favorite producers of all time. the man is a genius

[@theoluproject]

@andrea a I see that you are a fan of music production. When you get a chance, if you could check out some of the beat making videos on my KZbin channel. Don't forget to subscribe and like if you enjoy what you see.

[@marsdale]

THIS MAN IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SOME OF MY FAVOURITE HIP HOP INSTRUMENTAL OF ALL TIME

[@_StandardIssue]

2:43 8 years later find out that one of my favorite songs samples another one of my favorite songs. Mind blown.

[@mrlofi333]

Gosepl has spawned all these subgenres. Thank You for the African ancestors that made it possible !

[@deanwinchester8042]

Gospel was modeled after even older African sounds. The roots run deeper than you think

[@mandaussi]

@@deanwinchester8042 kindly help me find some of these old tracks?

[@bhongonkumanda7630]

Drug Dealer Anonymous is one of my all time favorite instrumentals

[@BumFluffer1999]

No cap, this is one of my favourite KZbin videos of all time.

[@jcsmooth70]

Brilliant sounds! I love how the sampled sounds are light and float in and out to make the drums loops super clean and crispy.

[@damiensmith371]

thanks for doing this particular series. What a group of amazing, inspiring beings. Everyone has been amazing to watch

[@gfff3548]

GAHDAM this is such a fire piece of content from the artist to the verbiage and explanations, the graphics are insane! when they visualize the sample is so hard

[@MrCheeseman831]

Love this new series from NPR they’re killing it!!!!

[@MrBrwnchknbrwncow]

This is a great series on the insight of these creative individuals!

[@cornboyzftw4828]

This dude is so laid back for having absolute bangers, I mean this producer helped changed the game & I barely even knew that was him singing on loyalty. Much respect DJ Dahi, you def got my attention now

[@alvarezgamers]

Ordinary chill dude with an extraordinary ear. 🤙

[@TheAkabourim]

this kind of talk and inspiration is gold for any music producer or beatmaker, thanks for bringing this to us, and thanks to these such amazing artists to exist and to do what they are doing

[@a_u_t_r_o]

Great, inspiring interviews...on top of that I wanted to say great work on the motion design part in the videos too! Respect.

[@FabianMazur]

The editing in this series is ridiculous 🙏🏽 Keep it going!!

[@formula1facebookfan]

These videos are amazing. Well done to the production team and everyone involved.

[@gentianag4496]

Loving these videos, keep em coming💯🥂

[@chance_ooo5663]

very well put together video! thank y'all fr, don't stop!

[@jaypeso430]

this whole series is amazing...thank you

[@indelaxiom]

These breakdowns are great! Keep them coming!

[@theoluproject]

@indelaxiom I see that you are a fan of music production. When you get a chance, if you could check out some of the beat making videos on my KZbin channel. Don't forget to subscribe and like if you enjoy what you see.

[@Farmer151]

Keep these coming

[@Dvetkn]

Dope insights for producers, defo cant wait for the next one!

[@jdc6954]

These are awesome. Keep em coming!

[@benj7483]

Whoever did those motion graphics did an amazing job! Wow.

[@bigjoe5144]

Amazing series keep these coming

[@christinakcover]

Wonderful video - LOVE DJ Dahi and such a fan of his production and brilliant career, excited for his upcoming work. I did not know that is his voice on Loyalty!!

[@jaycole1900]

Love this series. Keep it going!!!!!!!

[@dcdread5983]

The Drug Dealers Anonymous and Money Trees beats are dope asf 🔥🔥🔥!!

[@pinkrockettt]

Thanks for this series!

[@smartguy8219]

amazing series

[@JiggOnline]

Man this is so dope! Thank you for this.

[@akimyoung8507]

thoroughly enjoyed man

[@tobybune]

thank you for this series

[@cavemanlovesmoke4394]

Love this vid man! Wish it was longer , dude makes sick beats. Love gkmd too money trees was one of my very fav songs from it. Cant wait to hear more from him in the future!

[@theoluproject]

@caveman lovesmoke I see that you are a fan of music production. When you get a chance, if you could check out some of the beat making videos on my KZbin channel. Don't forget to subscribe and like if you enjoy what you see.

[@jessicajohannaosegueragonz4271]

Loved this so much I watched the add when it was done

[@KT-el6yn]

Goosebumps when they reversed beach house omg. THANK YOU DAHI.

[@nickplatoff7458]

really well done, thanks to everyone who made this happen

[@sadkatamzrak3248]

Amazing series, keep it coming!

[@theoluproject]

@Sadik Ata Mizarak I see your a fan of music production. When you get a chance if you could check out my some of my beat making videos on my page. (Support a dope producer)

[@chappahx]

This is very well done, Rodney!

[@tomwoolley1126]

keep these coming please

[@PPCSI133]

bro is the most humble person in life! shoutout Dahi ! Good person in real life!

[@politicsasusual101]

I was struggling to guess what Kendrick song he’d sampled 24K magic for...then when it dropped 😦 genius

[@SecondWizards]

Sounwave & Terrance Martin did the sample. It was inspired from Rapsody - Take it Slow

[@hoodrichhaul7545]

Love it. Loyalty he is genius love how he flipped it and they kept his vocal

[@BELICOBRONZE]

We need more of these! DJ Dahi is underrated, but also at the same time he’s been super involved in the game. These are classics!

[@udopiarecords]

Woulda loved to see My Type of Party, one of my fav beats of all time

[@bforbarber9945]

These are fantastic!!

[@jessymecaride1671]

This series about sampling is straight up magic please keep it going ! It makes life in quarantine worth living 😂

[@bleekg1bleekg193]

these videos are made so well

[@SimonAeberhard]

Love that dude! He creates beautiful art snippets and he is brave enough to go another path from where he began as a child. Music and love is the only spirituality you need!

[@nolancao2878]

Y’all snapped npr

[@prodbykosi]

Just got onto this series this is dope! Crazy episode

[@matt8743]

These videos should have millions I’ve views!!! I love the behind the seen look.

[@sidharthpalakkode5509]

Man.. just love the content

[@jadedmoon]

At the end : "Do you ever think of music as your ministry?" That really hits hard. It doesn't even have to be music. Anything you love to do should be your ministry. Love you guys NPR

[@-friday]

love this content

[@blondedivy]

y’all need to make these longer

[@mistaencore732]

I love these sample break downs 🔥🔥🔥

[@theoluproject]

@Mista Encore I see that you are a fan of music production. When you get a chance, if you could check out some of the beat making videos on my KZbin channel. Don't forget to subscribe and like if you enjoy what you see.

[@Writtenmirror]

Man these is so dope. I like people who can speak music/art/creativity without it being hard to decipher. *The editing of the video could be much sharper though* A1 content

[@xaaronboswahlx]

All three of these are pure 🔥🔥🔥

[@wavesman55]

Love these

[@heirbornelite]

He’s one of my favorite producers and I just found out who he is. His work speaks for itself

[@TheRossinator97]

This series is so dope!

[@whyydee]

Producers deserve this light. That reversed sample on Money Trees is amazing.

[@brenttauromusic]

Dope video, man. Post more.

[@Mr911technology]

Incredible work.

[@BerserkTV777]

Wait did he sample 24k magic for loyalty 😭🔥

[@LA-ue2ph]

this series is amazing

[@f4ke444]

This series is so well made and edited! shout out to NPR! also did not know that he sang on LOYALTY! that sick!

[@JanMohran]

Legend in the making!

[@jacobcastro162]

love this series

[@CiscoBeats]

very inspiring !!