The god of all things groovy, Gramatik is known for a sound that pushes the boundaries of what electronic music can be. Born in Slovenia but the pride of NYC, Denis Jasarevic has never gotten sucked into any “fads” or trends in the music industry. He’s been producing some of the best electro-soul/hip-hop beats out there for nearly a decade now and is a bonified OG of the soul scene.
Fresh off the first and second editions of our sample breakdowns, we thought there’d be no better artist out there to do lucky number three on than this guy. Denis is one of, if not the most, prolific samplers in the scene today. Reaching back as far as 1713 to breathe new life into old pieces of music, Gramatik is an artist in every sense of the word. Check out the tracks below to find out where Denis got the inspiration for many of his most beloved tracks.
Orchestrated Incident
Off Street Bangurz vol. 2 I feel this track best exemplifies what Gramatik is all about. The man reached back 300 years and transformed Giuseppe Tartini’s “The Devil’s Trill Sonata” into a modern day masterpiece. How did Denis even come across this track, let alone get the inspiration to turn it into his own? Skip to the 6:14 mark in Tartini’s piece of work to hear the violins used in Gramatik’s track.
Hit That Jive
Again off his unbeatable Street Bangurz vol. 2, “Hit That Jive” is another example of Denis meshing the old school with the new school. Reaching back a bit less this time to only 1942, Gramatik once again blends eras to forge a sound all his own. One of his most popular tracks to date, the sample is taken from The King Cole Trio’s “Hit That Jive” and its mark can be heard from start to finish in Denis’ rendition.
I’m Doin’ My Thang
Gramatik took the soul of 1969 and funkified it like only he can do. While you can clearly hear the similarities between the two tracks, the difference is also evident enough to call it a true Gramatik original. Songs like this can be appreciated by people of all ages, combining hip-hop with 60’s soul it’s no wonder why Gramatik fans come in all shapes and sizes.
Like You Do
Some tracks can be slight reworks or tweaks from the original, but this isn’t one of them. Denis completely overhauled Al Green’s “I Didn’t Know” and made it a track with the trademark Gramatik feel. Again with classic hip-hop percussion in the background, “Like You Do” is a fan favorite whenever dropped live. Check the 1:37 mark to hear Green’s vocals used in Gramatik’s track.
So Much For Love
One of his newer tracks so far, “So Much For Love” is upbeat and happy from the second you press play. Chopping up the vocals beautifully from Dee Edwards’ “Why Can’t There Be Love”, Denis keeps it fresh and he keeps it funky with this song from 2011. Compare for yourself and hear the sample from the first second.
Is It Over
More masterfully chopped up lyrics supplied by Mr. Gramatik here. Also off his Beatz & Pieces vol. 1 from 2011, “Is It Over” is tried and true Gramatik you can kick back and listen to. Taking the sample from Z.Z. Hill’s “That Ain’t The Way You Make Love”, skip to the :55 second mark to hear the sample.
Stairway To Hip-Hop Heaven
Rounding out the list here it wouldn’t be right to not include possibly Denis’ most well known track to date. In case you aren’t already aware, Gramatik called upon the legendary Zeppelin song in this classic from 2010. It takes guts to remix a track like this, but he hit it out of the park by paying respect to the original and keeping the overall feel intact. Nothing too crazy or heavy here, just a well done remix treatment to one of one of the most iconic bands of all time.
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