Kanye West's 10 Greatest Samples Of All-Time

10. Answers Me – Arthur Russell

If there was one word to describe West’s approach to sampling, it would definitely have to be eclectic.

When considering the rapper/producer’s entire discography it is difficult to think of a single genre which has escaped his attention. However, very few of his choices are quite as unusual as the use of cellist Arthur Russell’s ambient avant-garde track Answers Me.

The original song, which featured on Russell's only full-length album studio album 1986's World of Echo, was sampled by West for The Life of Pablo's 30 Hours.

Whilst Russell's composition is a minimalist piece with haunting vocals against an almost empty soundscape, West's brought his best producing skills with the addition of high tempo 808s and background vocals from OutKast's André 3000.

These aspects all come together to provide the perfect mysterious background against which West details his failed relationship with Sumeke Rainey and reflects on his breakthrough in the music industry.

The song's title being a reference to the 30 hour drive between West's hometown of Chicago and his newfound home in Los Angeles.

Despite being one of the lesser known tracks on Life of Pablo, 30 Hours has gone on to become a firm fan favourite, with numerous critics praising the song as one of the album's hidden gems.