July 12, 2017 -- The practice of sampling in hip hop can launch a song from relative obscurity to the ears of millions. Luckily for the U.K. soul band Hannah Williams & The Affirmations, the title track of its second album, Late Nights & Heartbreak, released independently on Bandcamp last year, recently reached an important set of ears, those of Jay-Z.
According to the New York Times, Jay’s producer sampled the track to “box” Jay into responding to suggestions of infidelity in Beyonce’s album Lemonade. And it worked. Jay reportedly awoke at 4:44 am. and recorded his verses over what became the title track of his new record, 4:44, released earlier this month. The second verse leads with the lyrics “look I apologize, often womanize….”
July 12, 2017 -- The practice of sampling in hip hop can launch a song from relative obscurity to the ears of millions. Luckily for the U.K. soul band Hannah Williams & The Affirmations, the title track of its second album, Late Nights & Heartbreak, released independently on Bandcamp last year, recently reached an important set of ears, those of Jay-Z.
According to the New York Times, Jay’s producer sampled the track to “box” Jay into responding to suggestions of infidelity in Beyonce’s album Lemonade. And it worked. Jay reportedly awoke at 4:44 am. and recorded his verses over what became the title track of his new record, 4:44, released earlier this month. The second verse leads with the lyrics “look I apologize, often womanize….”
We feature Hannah’s full track here, a confessional ballad floating on soft horns that is worthy of a listen all by itself. She is referred to in the U.K. as a “soul hurricane,” and she and her band deliver tight, melodic and compelling R&B/soul reminiscent of the Muscle Shoals sound of the 60s and early 70s. Enjoy.
By Robb Patryk