Sampling has long been a powerful way for artists to connect past and present, blending classic grooves with fresh creativity. In 2025, Nigerian and global artists are embracing this tradition with renewed energy, sampling iconic tracks to craft songs that feel both nostalgic and innovative. When Nigerian superstar Asake dropped his new single “Badman Gangsta”, featuring French rapper Tiakola, which cleverly samples early 2000s R&B classic “1 Thing” by Amerie, it was clear we had to take a closer look at the year’s standout songs borrowing from the past.
Asake’s “Badman Gangsta”
The new single from Asake is a cool sample from Amerie’s 2005 hit “1 Thing.” Produced by AoD and P.Priime, the song mixes the energetic, percussion-heavy vibe of mid-2000s American R&B with modern Afrobeats rhythms. This is Asake’s first single since February’s “Why Love” and previews his upcoming album, Money. Featuring French rapper Tiakola, they smoothly switch between English, Yoruba, and French, singing about hustle, gratitude, and personal growth. Asake calls it “a page from my real life,” blending struggle with success. The track blends classic and modern sounds, with the Amerie sample adding an upbeat vibe that highlights themes of confidence and charm, making Asake’s song a fresh, global hit.
“Baby (Is It a Crime)” – Rema
Rema samples British Nigerian soul icon Sade Adu’s 1985 classic “Is It a Crime?”. The track opens with Adu’s iconic voice cutting through static, followed by smooth drums and Rema’s effortless style in Pidgin English: “Baby/Baby sunmoni/You know say you match my steeze… You know I’m a G…”. The song, way before it was released by Rema, was already hyped before it dropped, and it sure did live up to the hype as it’s another banger, just as Rema’s catchphrase ‘Another Banger’.
This romantic Afrobeat track is the year’s most-streamed Nigerian song globally in H1 2025, reimagining Sade’s classic with dreamy jazz textures and modern rhythmic bounce. It marked Rema’s first official single of 2025 and further cemented his status as the “Rave Lorde.”
“Gimme Dat” – Ayra Starr & Wizkid
“Gimme Dat” – Ayra Starr & Wizkid, released April 15, 2025, samples “911” by Mary J. Blige & Wyclef Jean (2000), and is notable as a sultry, nostalgic hit that landed in Nigeria’s top 3 and gained strong international Afrobeats traction thanks to its interpolation of the early 2000s R&B staple, as produced by VybeO and Mikabeatz, Gimme Dat is a smooth and infectious track that incorporates a sample of Wyclef Jean and Mary J. Blige’s 2000 hit “911,” giving the classic a fresh and innovative twist fand lyrically and sonically, Gimme Dat hits all the right notes, with Ayra Starr holding her own throughout the song, delivering an excellent performance that leaves a lasting impression, while Wizkid’s presence is dominant and authoritative, and with just one verse, he delivers a stellar performance that strikes home, making a lasting impact on the listener, leaving one to wonder what could have been if he had been given the chance to deliver a second verse, but in just 30 seconds, he killed the song and left the studio on fire. The song is a hit.
“Update” – Burna Boy
Burna Boy’s single “Update” is a single from his eighth studio album No Sign of Weakness, it samples the classic 1989 British R&B track “Back to Life (However Do You Want It)” by Soul II Soul, blending infectious African folk drums and produced by P2J, while Burna Boy celebrates his success and wealth with confident lyrics like “On a normal day, them no fit touch my energy (Kúrò n be)” and expresses deep love for a special woman with the line “To ba tele mi lo, my lady. You go see say, aye nbe l’ókè (L’Eko),” reinforcing his image as a devoted lover and showcasing his global ambitions through fresh energy on the track. The single was released earlier before his 2025 album dropped, alongside early releases from Burna Boy on the album, such as “Bundle by Bundle,” “Sweet Love,” and “Tatata” with Travis Scott.
2025 has proven to be a year where artists respectfully revisit classic sounds, infusing them with modern energy and new cultural flavors. From Asake’s sample of Amerie’s “1 Thing” to Rema’s soulful nod to Sade, then to Davido’s sampling of Bright Chimezie “Because of English” , these tracks highlight how timeless grooves continue to inspire fresh storytelling and international hits.
