Southern Hip Hop’s Enduring Influence in 2024: Sampling the Classics

In 2024, the South has firmly solidified its dominance in Hip Hop, with artists like Future, Metro Boomin, Gunna, GloRilla, Latto, and Sexyy Red continuing to shape the genre. While the spotlight shines brightly on these stars, the Third Coast’s rich history—marked by legendary sounds from Memphis, New Orleans, and Atlanta—has never been more present. Southern rap from the ’90s and 2000s, renowned for its innovative use of sampling and interpolation, continues to fuel some of the biggest hits today.

From Three 6 Mafia’s haunting Memphis sound to the bounce of New Orleans and Atlanta’s trap-infused rhythms, classic Southern rap has had an undeniable impact on modern Hip Hop. Juicy J himself claimed that he gets paid from “90 percent of the songs out right now,” thanks to the wide-reaching influence of his samples. And while his statement may be a slight exaggeration, there’s no question that Southern rap’s foundation continues to inspire fresh music across the map.

Here are some of 2024’s biggest tracks that sample iconic Southern rap hits:

Future & Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar – “Like That”

Sample: Three 6 Mafia “Gotta Touch ‘Em (Pt. 2)” (1995)
This track, which features Kendrick Lamar, is built on the haunting synths from Three 6 Mafia’s Mystic Stylez, one of the group’s most influential albums. Metro Boomin’s affinity for the Memphis legends shines through, bringing a new layer to the sample and adding Kendrick’s fiery verses to the mix.

Tyler, The Creator feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne – “Sticky”

Sample: Young Buck “Get Buck” (2007)
Tyler, The Creator’s album Chromakopia features this standout track that transforms Young Buck’s menacing G-Unit anthem “Get Buck” into a new creative beast. The track fluctuates through multiple beat changes, with Tyler’s expert touch on the bells and ominous horns.

GloRilla feat. Megan Thee Stallion – “Wanna Be”

Samples: Lil Wil “My Dougie” (2007) & Project Pat feat. Crunchy Black “Don’t Save Her” (2001)
GloRilla and Megan Thee Stallion’s collaboration brings back Lil Wil’s infectious “My Dougie” beat, combining it with Project Pat’s catchy hook from “Don’t Save Her.” This track’s bouncy energy is sure to evoke nostalgia for fans of early 2000s Southern rap.

Drake – “Push Ups”

Sample: Mike Jones feat. Hurricane Chris “Drop & Gimme 50” (2007)
Drake’s reference to “drop and gimme 50” on his track from For All the Dogs not only nods to his long-running beef with Kendrick Lamar but also borrows the track’s title from Mike Jones’ Houston classic. This deep-cut from the South proves Drake’s affinity for the region’s sound.

Sexyy Red – “Get It Sexyy”

Sample: Hurricane Chris feat. Superstarr “Halle Berry (She’s Fine)” (2009)
Sexyy Red taps into the mid-2000s with a rework of Hurricane Chris’s “Halle Berry (She’s Fine),” bringing the track’s signature synth melody and playful ad-libs back to life for a fresh generation.

Cardi B – “Like What (Freestyle)”

Sample: Missy Elliott “She’s a Bitch” (1999)
Cardi B channels the spirit of Missy Elliott on this freestyle, sampling the iconic “She’s a Bitch” from Elliott’s Da Real World. It’s a throwback to Virginia’s contributions to the Southern rap scene, with Cardi B taking Missy’s boldness and making it her own.

GloRilla – “Yeah Glo!”

Sample: Da Banggaz314 “Run Up Get Dun Up” (2007)
GloRilla’s “Yeah Glo!” is powered by a sample from Da Banggaz314’s high-energy “Run Up Get Dun Up,” which serves as the track’s punchy intro and sets the tone for the rest of the song.

Big Sean – “Precision”

Sample: Three 6 Mafia “Poppin’ My Collar” (2005)
Big Sean keeps the integrity of the original Three 6 Mafia beat intact while giving it a modern twist, proving that Memphis still has a hold on the rap game.

ScHoolboy Q – “THank God 4 Me”

Sample: Project Pat feat. Three 6 Mafia & La Chat “Chickenhead” (2001)
ScHoolboy Q flips Project Pat’s “Chickenhead,” blending its eerie synths with his own style for a track that’s both menacing and melodic.

Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign feat. YG & Nipsey Hussle – “Do It”

Sample: Juvenile feat. Mannie Fresh & Lil Wayne “Back That Azz Up” (1998)
Kanye West adds his signature twist to this club banger, remixing Juvenile’s legendary hit “Back That Azz Up” with YG’s addition to the mix, merging West Coast and Southern sounds.

Eminem – “Road Rage”

Sample: Juvenile “Ha” (1998)
Eminem adds a twist to Juvenile’s iconic “Ha,” using the track’s frantic instrumental as the backdrop for his own take on road rage, and giving the original a new spin.

Vince Staples – “Étouffée”

Sample: The Showboys “Drag Rap” (1986)
Sampling the iconic “Triggerman” beat, which has been the foundation of New Orleans’ bounce music for decades, Vince Staples infuses his track with Louisiana flavor, paying homage to the city’s musical heritage.

Latto – “Chicken Grease”

Sample: T.I. “24s” (2003)
Latto channels T.I.’s “24s,” tweaking the chorus for her own flex-heavy anthem, adding her own spin to a Southern rap classic.

Southern rap is still shaping the sound of modern Hip Hop, and in 2024, artists from across the country continue to draw inspiration from its rich legacy. Whether through sampling, interpolating, or just capturing the essence of what makes the South special, the region’s impact on the genre remains undeniable.