The Most Sampled Loop in Music History

What do Skrillex, David Bowie, Salt-N-Pepa and basically every drum and bass track have in common? They've all used the Amen break, a four-bar drum solo that has become the most sampled loop in music history. Recorded in 1969, the six second sample originates from the song “Amen, Brother” by The Winstons, a funk and soul group from Washington, D.C. For many years, the solo was buried deep in musical archives-that is until hip-hop pioneer Lou Flores, aka “Breakbeat Lou,” featured it on his compilation, “The Ultimate Breaks and Beats.” Once producers caught wind of the solo, it took off, going on to change music forever.
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[@davidb5205]

It's crazy how a small snippet can spark an entire genre and culture.

[@onlyplayaseattacoswiththei9433]

I always hear old ppl say "big things come in small packages". Must be true.

[@ClareAbove]

@@onlyplayaseattacoswiththei9433 espicially at christmas :p

[@onlyplayaseattacoswiththei9433]

@@ClareAbove hey, a 10k$ diamond ring wouldn't require that big of a box 😊

[@jonathanharoun5245]

That's how most memes start.

[@davidb5205]

@@jonathanharoun5245 - I've thought about this a lot actually. Digital sampling and Hip Hop in 1980s was a precursor to internet culture. An entire artform based on remixing and recycling pieces of pop culture, no matter how random or mundane. Also reminds me of Andy Warhol.

[@jjjose]

Just like many artists, only recognized after death.

[@fhcidtx]

It's sad that he was homeless and received no credit, like tf

[@zzzz2596]

XXX

[@steven_duller3841]

Recognition post mortem in a positive light is probably the most flattering thing that one person can do to another. Just think, they could you could be treated like MJ is getting treated and you can't even defend yourself because you're dead.

[@TheJargonKing]

Pretty much Nick Drake.

[@jellotrooper]

Off topic, but your profile picture is wonderful. Interstella 5555 is underrated as hell

[@Breakbeats92.5]

Due to it being sampled so many times, the Amen Break is pretty much in the public domain. Had the Winstons defended the copyright they could have pocketed millions. However, this might have been at the expense of killing new geners of music.

[@aaronpollard7207]

Why, because they couldn't come up with their own beat? 😂

[@australium7374]

@@aaronpollard7207 sampling is apart of hip hop. it’s not because they can’t, it’s because sampling the beats of older songs gives it a better sound. but anyone who has listened to hip hop would already know that. sampling is “illegal” yet using someone’s else’s song quite literally inside of your ad or piece of media isn’t. How convenient

[@KnzoVortex]

@@aaronpollard7207 getting mad at an artist for sampling a drum beat is like gettin upset at a guitarist for not building his own guitar. Musicians should be able to use any tools they want to create the art they want, it’s not some kind of competition. Music is not a sport, as much as you may want it to be.

[@carlwalker9635]

@@KnzoVortex Have you ever read the USA copywriter infringement laws? Can I copy passages from a published book, put it in my book, and publish it without being sued? Alex Haley tried to pull that off in his book Roots, by copying passages from the book the Africans, he got sued, and had to pay more than $600,000 to the author.

[@davidy22]

Ok, but listen back to the drum track. If everyone copyrighted their own random 2 bars of drumming music would be an impassable minefield for drum tracks

[@chairshoe81]

and the drummer who created it received no royalties and died homeless on the streets

[@gearupmr917]

Yeh, poor dude.

[@a.b17]

I don't think that's true.

[@gearupmr917]

@@a.b17 It is true, i thought at first this was bs but i looked at the wiki and it is true.

[@Abdi-uy1kh]

@@gearupmr917 what's his name?

[@Chuixiong]

Abdi Gregory Coleman

[@johncroll1467]

The actual drummer- Gregory C Coleman, is mentioned only once in this video. From his Wikipedia page, "... Apart from sales of the original recording, Coleman never received any royalties from the widespread use of the sample.... Gregory S. Coleman died in Atlanta, Georgia, in April 2006. He was homeless, twice married and is survived by a daughter and step daughter. " Ripped off man.

[@Ptaku93]

That's a real bummer mate :(

[@oscarvaughan5251]

How do you know?

[@Mexsipuedoperez]

Like bb king, muddy waters and more. Nothing personal but they didn't make any money back then

[@firstname8656]

@@oscarvaughan5251 umm......google?

[@ceil5001]

Big bummer for a great drummer...ta da!

[@Helladamnleet]

This is heavily used in Powerpuff Girls

[@neowatch237]

i see ur a man of culture as well

[@andrewdavies1312]

You sure? This sounds alot like powerpuff girls battle music

[@happyhippie2123]

Helladamnleet dnb

[@slickryder]

Once again Powerpuff Girls sampled another song!

[@lavenderllamamusic]

yes but have you heard drum n bass? amen break runs rampant. amen break in drum n bass music is what the dem bow rhythm is to reggaeton

[@dlazyace9116]

Every time I hear this loop it reminds me of late 80s-early 90s skateboarding videos home videos. Or Tony Hawk Pro skater games.

[@BrownRicePaddy]

SSX

[@Dannver]

reminds me of the track Redial from Bomberman Hero

[@creativemindplay]

ok

[@amsyarzero]

That's interesting! For me, when I listen to that loop, I always think of a funny-serious hybrid scene.

[@Dannver]

Holy Shit! Your Right!

[@reanetsemoleleki8219]

This sample is the Wilhelm Scream of music.

[@ThePapaja1996]

yup

[@3cc619]

The beat Sampled in more than 3000 songs but Gregory c Coleman never received any royalties the guy should be a millionaire but sadly died broke

[@catwithshades7577]

Died in 2006 too. So not like it was 80+ years ago. Poor guy.

[@Hinata-vr-is-me]

If people had to pay for it, they would sample something else and he still would have died poor. Get off the soapbox.

[@TheJoePiper]

Andrew Davis No people pay for samples all the time. When 3000 people sample the SAME beat, it’s something special. I’m sure at least a few hundred of them would have paid for it. he could have made some money and not died broke.

[@goodkisser8591]

Every artist modified it enough to not warrant any fees. You genuinely think it’s unfair that playing a 10 second drum solo didn’t make him a rich millionaire and instead he’d have to do something more with his life?

[@TheJoePiper]

good kisser nice simplified strawman you got there mate!

[@maxifisch3230]

Today, I learned about this loop and suddenly recognized it everywhere! It even played in the backround music in a mall I visited today.

[@vadim5603]

03:10 they actually showed him walking away from his musical career

[@imyourdaddy8243]

Vadim 💀💀💀💀

[@joshbaltazar6538]

Vadim 💀

[@cloutsergio]

Dawg😭😭💀💀

[@user-ud5bw6gh3w]

🤣🤣🤣

[@realnagger6718]

Dont be silly, it's a re-enactement. When he walked away, he had a blue shirt!

[@roughhouse2232]

I'll recap all the comments below this one. "Guy didnt get paid." "Powerpuff girls." Done. Now you dont have to bother reading the rest of the comments.

[@Gsauce08]

Puffs

[@SD-ym1rt]

You're a good man

[@rajshekarkulathu1602]

Thanks

[@joelpocalips]

You just sampled all of those comments to write your comment. omg

[@misledprops]

Powerpuff Girls never sampled this.

[@Splttt]

“YOU CANT SEE CALIFORNIA WITHOUT MARLON BRANDO’S EYES”

[@zzciobzz2963]

now that makes sense

[@norisa4850]

Eyyy another maggot

[@israelmartinez4113]

\m/

[@scottylee7812]

ITS ALL IN YOUR HEAD!

[@Hotshot91161]

Cash Money *LOOK ME IN MY BRAND NEW EYE*

[@CadChamberlain]

this loop has been in my head for my entire life

[@reanetsemoleleki8219]

The ultimate meme.

[@creamiipeachii]

Yesterday I was just thinking about how good Slipknot's Eyeless amen break was (RIP Joey!) and I see this in my watch later playlist lol XD Crazy to think how much this sample had an impact on music

[@richinoable]

I've been getting catfished and gaslit by so many KZbin bits discussing this piece of music...I've needed THIS for a long time. Thanks for the production and the upload 😅

[@pillgrimm]

"Wow! This is from [Song Name]" Weird, it's almost as if the most sampled loop ever is in a lot of songs.

[@YourPalHDee]

😂😂😂 KZbin needs WAY more comments like this!

[@PowerHausMusic]

yeah ikr crazy!

[@generaltsingshitao4368]

Isn't this the tune we like to create by tapping on the tables?

[@PopYTP]

Yeah and somehow my index finger's taps always are lower-pitched than my middle finger's

[@spoopyscaryskelebones3846]

@@PopYTP good to know

[@Haris1]

lmao. While I was listening to the video I was tapping on the table and now I saw this

[@nedhasler2687]

No, not at all. Take some time to really understand the subject under discussion, distilled best by Breakbeat Lou here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGmcdJ2piLR9lcU

[@theoracle7463]

you just tapped a break, there are hundreds of breaks and all sound similar the amen break is just one of meny that got popular for the drum sounds in it

[@Breakbeats92.5]

There is an excellent video on the Amen Break entitled, "Video explains the world's most important 6-sec drum loop." It was uploaded by Landon Proctor and it's a more in depth look at the iconic Amen Break and it's really well done.

[@birdrustler]

That video is a lot better than this one.

[@mcgelloe]

Every single 13 year old SoundCloud producer on here: WRITE THAT DOWN PATRICK RIGHT THAT DOWN

[@BlankRev]

"ayo I'm just a 14yo producer in Atlanta trying to make a difference"

[@snesmocha]

Just an undertale guy using my own drum tracks

[@gammacxytwo5626]

They probably don’t know what break beat is

[@theoracle7463]

As a 13 year old producer I know all about break beats I am try to produce jungle. If anyone wants to know some good breaks I recommend the copter/sesame street break, the think break and the hot pants break along with the amen break these are all classics too

[@snesmocha]

meanwhile me doing heavy metal and rock cause i don't like edm

[@christopher3377]

I've been drumming this beat on my desk since I was a kid, never knew where it came from.

[@sumosloths98]

Everyone mentioning Powerpuff Girls but nobody mentioning Futurama!

[@Infrared01]

Futurama is where I know it from lol. I'm pretty sure its also used in the Sim City 4 soundtrack.

[@MostlyPennyCat]

Jungle. Jungle is the important one.

[@tobymitchell7371]

James Neave amen

[@kingbIIIr]

Big up to all the dnb heads around the world!

[@apexone5502]

Nice cameo of Lord Finesse announcing Breakbeat Lou onto the stage. All my real Hip Hop heads feel me on the this one.

[@UNDERGROUNDHITRADIO]

I used it years ago in one of my projects! Love it.

[@popotatopotato9218]

Ah yes. The Amen Break. The mother and father of Breakcore. My favorite genre of music.

[@presauced]

Sameeeee. Venetian Snares, SquarePusher, Aphex Twin, Nero's Day at Disneyland, Igorrr, etc. Those are some good shit.

[@popotatopotato9218]

@@presauced Oh you like igorrr too? What's your favorite song of theirs? Mine is probably Unpleasant Sonata. Or Melting Nails. Or Scarlatti 2.0 I like a lot of their songs.

[@ronanjm]

Well, it’s more the mother and father of things like Breakbeat Hardcore. Breakcore is a later rendition of music like Drill n Bass, not really it’s own thing created from the break.

[@zappers1000]

Look up Machine Girl and Sewerslvt

[@ronanjm]

@@zappers1000 glad to see those two are bringing in fresh blood even if they’re a little derivative.

[@microsoftice6498]

When I hear that sample, i immediately think "Straight outta compton"

[@JheriCurlJankins]

I was thinking it was gonna be the "Funky Drummer" break!

[@rcrxjlb]

It really is. But atleast James Brown got paid for it...

[@therealnynetynyne360]

Thats a good one too

[@tonyg.4398]

that dreumbeat is iconic, it is most recognizable in every late 1990s to early 2000s music and media

[@vali4real]

Who else immediately thought of "straight outta Compton" as soon as they heard the actual drums?

[@redcomic619]

Breakbeat Lou produced the intro track on R.A. The Rugged Man’s new album and it’s FIRE 🔥

[@leothehuman_9476]

YES!!! I FINALLY FOUND WHERE THAT DRUM AND BASS SAMPLE CAME FROM!! NOW I CAN FINALLY USE IT!!!!!!

[@spenstrangward5126]

Listen to the whole track its absolutely cracking 👌

[@spenstrangward5126]

It is ....

[@christianterrill3503]

The Amen break, from the song amen brother. As a fan of Drum and Bass I'm a huge fan of the beat pattern....

[@randalbuhler9042]

Keep keeping on!

[@MizerIsHere]

Twenty One Pilots - Heavydirtysoul

[@kanyes.nice.at.pingpong4556]

If i am correct this sample is used on 1000 miles and running by logic

[@trickybelden]

Yessir fellow rattpack member🤣

[@hondawhiteguy4223]

I knew Slipknot was on here!!!

[@koenigseggagera8255]

Honda White Guy same

[@Valliant2007]

I hear Kick, snare, hats,,,,, he stole my riff!!

[@setsers1]

YES!!!! I'VE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE

[@patstaysuckafreeboss8006]

I swear it's in every spy movie ever

[@MikeBTek]

I remember back in the 1960's in elementary school we used to do that beat on our desks, chairs, or whatever else we could use as a drum. There were a few other beats that we would get from the parade drummers.

[@MikeBTek]

@@theoracle7463 I agree. That's what I am trying to say. It was just a common beat to us. Don't know how anyone could take original credit for it.

[@abrasionequation4632]

Was just making some Jungle with the amen break..great video

[@user-cr2bt3zp1f]

I thought the most sampled loop was Clyde Stubblefield, the FUNKY DRUMMER himself.

[@plutoniumcore]

I agree

[@eSkiSo]

The outro (end) music, if you are interested, is: Def, Phat, and Ill - Chill Vibes

[@SohaldSpike]

you saved me the day bro... cheers!!

[@junglizis]

thanx mate!

[@Cubs1719]

Rock and Soul is one of the great vinyl record stores every. Back in 2009 I stumbled in there looking for head phones thinking it was a regular nyc "always going outta business" electronics store. What I found instead was a store I would visit for the next decade +

[@treyhayes101]

All I hear is prodigy when I hear this break

[@DJSockmonkeyMusic]

Not only have I used the amen break in sets and songs going back to the 90s, I regularly use it as a placeholder while writing basslines before going back and rewriting a beat. I've used in from 80bpm to 160bpm, in metal, glitch, breakbeat and jungle tunes, and I've chopped and remixed the break hundreds of times. I've used the pattern with dozens of different drum machines and sample sets. And I'm nobody. I'm a break even, just made a living, never released anything DJ from Western Australia, now relegated to rural radio hahahaha. The Amen Break is probably the most influential piece of drumming in music. It certainly has been very important for me.

[@Fuchsia_tude]

I found this by searching "almond break". Thank you algorithm for figuring out what my misheard phrase actually was supposed to be

[@sokonaut]

What a chill dude

[@iainhill492]

D n b will never die due to the amen !! 🤗

[@whydidipickthename7413]

dude Jay-Walked in a youtube video.

[@mintybudgie]

ah yes. as a drum and bass producer. i worship the amen break

[@koolkitty108]

Drum n bass and jungle are the reasons why I’m here

[@imh1p9]

It doesn’t really seem like a sample to me, it seems more like a drum fill that fits well with hip hop

[@theinterestsofalexcimelli9323]

It’s in Move On Up by Curtis Mayfield. If you listen to the extended version, the drum solo you can hear it

[@edms3656]

Craig of Slipknot has good taste in samples

[@vinyltheif]

Great, interesting to learn. btw what's the track at 3:40?

[@steghete]

3:23 Lord Finesse on the stage, am I right?

[@brandocallejas9202]

Yessir the funky technician himself 🔥🔥

[@angrykermit3192]

I'm glad that unlike other videos about the Amen break it didn't say it was one of the most sampled beats in Hip Hop, because it's not. It's been sampled for a million Jungle tracks but only a handful of Hip Hop tracks, and most people can only name one, Straight Outta Compton.

[@EmazingGuitar]

BRO WTF I was just thinking about this video in my head on my home from work today, and this gets recommend THE FUCKING SECOND I get home. I never said the video title out loud (phones listen to everything and show related items/content you’ve been talking about and put them on your timeline on any social media platform). I only had the THOUGHT in my head and I still got recommended said content. This is some next level shit. Idk if i can call it a coincidence or just straight up brain tapping by the government. And I’m not that big into conspiracies either like when I was younger.

[@leothehuman_9476]

imagine spotify trying to recognize the song XD

[@ControLFreaKKK]

You mean shazam but anyway, got the point, youre right ;)

[@blueelectric05]

I've heard this drum beat mostly from old newgrounds flash games

[@bflash77]

The Amen break is iconic, but the Apache break is by far the most legendary ass moving drum break of all time⚡

[@jetlag1488]

I prefer Amen because it's less tonal and more busy.

[@presauced]

It's also more versatile. But that Tighten Up drum break by James Brown, was spicy :)

[@moonhead5967]

that outdoor concert looked like a whole vibe

[@Флегматик-ш8я]

Wow, really interesting

[@surviver5738]

ALL THE CREW BIG UP. Jungle music for the win!!

[@icemansxl]

Before breakbeat lou used this break on his hip hop break album kool herc from the south bronx used this break while DJ-ing the first hiphop party.

[@andrebartels1690]

I would have expected KRAFTWERK's Trans Europa Express. You never cease to learn.

[@pxrpetualpxin1143]

Sampling is fucking amazing...

[@weabooheaboo1198]

Killing Moon Akuma's theme from Street fighter 3 introduced me to Amen Breaks

[@BraindeadMedic]

What is playing in the end of the video? That chill beat

[@dewit1055]

It was (Sic) when y’all put Eyeless on there.

[@Aaliyahd2626]

I listen to a lot of 70s 80s and 90s music especially in hip hop and N.W.A is a group I listen to so it was cool to learn in this video we’re the straight outta Compton beat came from.

[@crowmigration8245]

I need that straight outta compton picture vinyl

[@jameswinn4599]

That was not Skrillex, that was Sonny’s song Raggabomb remixed by Zomboy. Just in case anyone decided they wanted to go check it out but couldn’t find it.

[@0rpheus6]

Anyone know the song starting @3:30 ?

[@JBMPPS]

HELP USSSSSSS

[@gorillaman283]

Darude Sandstorm

[@harveyscottz]

Waterfalls by TLC

[@ericdelacruz4947]

This was also used as theme songs for some shows

[@Fifthcell]

Um, “this stuff is really fresh?” That is definitely the most sampled clip in history right? Or maybe second to this? MY BAD I know that’s not a loop...

[@ixLunacy]

Lol not even close😂besides its not even a loop anyways

[@mikamoschella3410]

Technically not a loop. And according to whosampled, it's 3rd with 2518 instances, beaten only by Think by Lyn Collins with 2744, and the Amen Break with 4782

[@tepoztlitlacatl634]

I guess nobody heard black sabbath behind the wall of sleep ..cause that came out in 1970 and it was slowed down sounded great

[@fenderjbass6463]

amen break is dope ngl

[@toorandomenvi]

literally the genre break core

[@MofoMan2000]

It is the Wilhelm Scream of drum breaks.

[@ewenblack4174]

Loved them joints

[@birrymays]

Lemmino covered this exact topic months before this video came out. Hmmm

[@kokkinikautichilipipperia9242]

This gave me goosebumps

[@THEENDISNER69]

Amen break will always be remebered to be the precursor of the PH Intro

[@sagittarius420cheefie]

I just realized that I think Black Sabbath used a slowed version in their song Hand of Doom.

[@mattiemoore3484]

No one mentioned Salt N Pepa's track "I Desire", which used the sample before N.W.A.

[@LMBC6Brian]

It’s also the basic beat that every asshat amateur drummer knows and doesn’t hesitate to play it at every guitar center drum room.

[@tedigrizli]

Why asshat though? Drummer can do only so much - fair, let him/her have it. Low skills in playing an instrument does not make you an asshat.

[@bgexodia3331]

you could hear it also in Atari Teenage Riot - Start The Riot

[@pandaog0478]

0:26 - "...I said can I get an amen?..."

[@KawaiiCat2]

No one absolutely no one The Powerpuff Girls

[@TheeMentorDex]

Legit at least half of Sonic the Hedgehog songs sample this beat. I feel bad for the creator of the beat like damn my man got exploited hardcore...

[@alsaulso1332]

Funky drummer James Brown gets me in the vibe!!

[@justiceecuador2913]

Classic watching from Ecuador #justiceecuador 🇪🇨🇪🇨🇪🇨

[@etaidade3983]

(Slipknot) Eyeless actually didnt sample the amen break, i forget the actual song it was but its just an adiubly similar sounding drumbeat sampled

[@mrbaconfearsucks838]

Rip great big story

[@hyunkikang2971]

The Powerpuff Girls

[@jazz-axy9924]

...Shit you right

[@morasoftwood8224]

Ahaha I know I can’t be the only one!

[@rosegold973]

And the theme song automatically played in my head when I read your comment lol

[@bartholomewsampson9807]

That's actually the funky drummer break

[@ryancassel3733]

Oh shit

[@vzs01]

3:08 Let Me In LET ME IIIIINN!

[@djed7235]

Random Gaming Channel what

[@circlesquarer]

@@djed7235 you don't have meme knowledge.

[@djed7235]

@@circlesquarer true!

[@FAUXCUSpd]

i was gonna clown on you for this joke and how it’s not funny but this comment is 4 months old so never mind.

[@circlesquarer]

@@FAUXCUSpd you have no sense of humor.