Sample Drill

Sample drill emerged alongside New York Drill production in the early 2020s as producers in the New York drill scene distanced their respective styles from the dominant UK Drill sound. The genre is defined by its prominent, recognizable samples set to tresillo-styled Drill hi-hats and counter snares, typical to New York, UK, and certain Chicago Drill production. Samples are overwhelmingly the only melodic content used in sample drill instrumentals and are often unedited or only slightly-edited from their original source. Sample drill was first realized by producer Great John of Winners Circle Entertainment, whose collaborations with Brooklyn rappers Sheff G and Sleepy Hallow popularized a minimally-produced, sample-led style of New York drill production. Other New York collectives like Queens’ Yellow Tape Boyz and Manhattan’s Surf Gang would prove crucial in furthering sample drill through their collaborations with producers like the Bronx's Cash Cobain and Surf Gang founder Evilgiane. Sample drill would eventually see mainstream attention in the summer of 2021 through the meteoric rise of the Bronx drill scene and the aggressive, distorted production attributed to producers like Elvis Beatz. Jersey Drill, a style which would prove popular with New York drill artists in the coming years, often utilizes samples similarly to sample drill, a trait shared with its predecessor Jersey Club Rap.