Sample Platter

On the third episode of “Sample Platter,” we talk to Devan Ibiza (@devanibiza), an artist, producer, DJ and a Bronx kid with the tunes. Devan comes from a family grounded in music and his social media footprint has made him a uniquely creative force who grabs his samples from the real world. Aside from his work with his sister Mia Lailani and his show Devs Basement, Devan has made waves on TikTok and Instagram Reels with his “How To Make A Beat” series where he makes beats from sounds at various locations around him. Whether it's a forklift backing up at Home Depot or a cash register at a bodega, Devan turns ordinary sounds into extraordinary grooves starting with a click of a recorder.

"Number one victory royale, yeah Fortnite we 'bout to get down (get down)." If you've been on TikTok recently, you've probably got these lines stuck in your head. But who made the songs that started the popular TikTok sound? Meet Cooper a.k.a. CM Skits and Levi a.k.a. Leviathan. Cooper's initial sample of the track "American Boy" by Estelle, and Levi's full-length Fortnite song, have contributed to a sound that now's inescapable on the app. Leviathan's "Chug Jug With You" has been met with praise across TikTok although Levi doesn't consider himself to be a singer-songwriter. We interviewed the two about their flips of "American Boy" and the reception their songs are getting over two years since they uploaded them to YouTube.

On the inaugural episode of “Sample Platter,” we kick things off with rapper Ronnie Cash, a.k.a. Phat Kat, who discusses his feature on a track with no name off the legendary J Dilla's “Welcome 2 Detroit” album. The track is a catchy cut off Dilla's solo debut featuring an infectious whistle loop, ill scratches and an addicting bassline. Some of its samples include “Do The Funky Penguin” by Rufus Thomas, “Halloween Theme” by John Carpenter, “Terra Incognita” by The Synergy and “Will O' The Wisp” by Steve Howe. The beat, according to Ronnie, was made in ten minutes time. Here's more about the track celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.