10 Rap Songs That Sampled Classical Music

Sample: Minuet and Badinerie from Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B by Bach

Producer: Paris Zax

Busdriver is a distinguished member of the Project Blowed school, an underground collective from Los Angeles that can count amongst its affiliates more or less every significant Southern Californian alternative hip hop act of the last 30 years. From pioneers like Freestyle Fellowship to Abstract Rude, Open Mike Eagle or Milo, to the now world-renowned Anderson Paak.

With such a roster, it’s no wonder the term “art rap” was first created to describe Project Blowed music, and Bus, who’s easily one of the most stylish and imaginative rappers out there, certainly fits that shoe.

The first song (notwithstanding the intro) of his acclaimed Temporary Forever album, Imaginary Places sets quite a distinctive tone. Imagine buying the CD, intrigued by its brilliant title, and the first song you hear is someone fast-rapping “I’m just here to hold your hand when you die, and show you around imaginary places” over a Bach sample.

Well, Busdriver's clever lyricism and outside-the-box inspiration ensure his entire discography is full of similarly engaging experiences.