When artists incorporate other artists' music in their tracks, they are either interpolating or sampling.  Many individuals get the terms mixed up, but they are not interchangeable. Instead, each has its own set of procedures and technologies.

What’s the difference between sampling and interpolation?

Sampling is taking snippets of pre-existing audio and integrating them into a new musical composition. It is literally copying and pasting a section of an existing musical work.

Sampling without permission can constitute a violation of copyright; therefore, before releasing a record containing a sample of another artist's work, permission must be obtained from the artist of the song being sampled (or whichever legal entity holds the masters) as well as the melody composer or publisher. The clearance process involves acquiring authorization to use a sample, and it can be complicated and costly.

A good example of sampling is Burna Boy “Wombolombo’’ released in 2013, which sampled Angelique Kidjo’s “Wombo Lombo’’ released in 1996.

On the other hand, Interpolation is more common in the industry, and it entails taking a portion of one record and reproducing it in another. Imagine it like seeing a table you like on Instagram and contracting another vendor to make a similar table for you to put in your study room, instead of buying that exact table for your study room. Because clearing samples is expensive and takes a whole lot of process, artists have taken to interpolating records, which is quite easier to obtain permission for. Interpolation requires only the permission of the original composer of the melody.

The 2017 Jidenna single Bambi, which interpolates Senegalese singer Laba Sosseh's track ''Seyni,'' is a noteworthy example of interpolation.

Although it is uncommon, the record's owner may refuse to grant permission for you to sample or interpolate their records. It is important to note that sampling or interpolating without the express consent of the owner is intellectual property theft and may result in a lawsuit against you or the artist sampling a record.

The difference between Sampling and Interpolation.

Sampling and Interpolation

The difference between Sampling and Interpolation.

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