Sampling Perfection with FatboySlim

Some tracks feel like magic; greater then the sum of their parts -  'The Rockafeller Skank' being one of the most iconic examples of this. If you consider the fusion of the nine samples used, the mastery of pulling them together, the cosmic arrangement - and the most madcap mid-section in....any...dance track (?!), it's hard to think of a better execution and application of sampling, and pure audio fun through mixing disparate elements into a fresh brew. Here it is in full... turn it up !! 

This track has it all, and it never fails to raise the mood - see how it was put together here:

Here's more on the video:

Fatboy Slim shares the story behind one of his most loved classics, 'The Rockafeller Skank'. 

Released in 1998, it was the lead single from his acclaimed second studio album 'You've Come A Long Way, Baby'.

Here, Fatboy Slim recalls how the track was made, sampling the voice of Lord Finesse and the beat of a song called 'Sliced Tomatoes' by Just Brothers. We also hear anecdotes of how the music video was made, how Fatboy Slim nearly crashed Daft Punk's own video shoot, and how the track has been a staple within his sets for the past 25 years. 

Fatboy Slim's infamous 'Satisfaction Skank' mash-up has been officially released, 25 years after he first began using it in his sets. 

The song combines a sample of 'Satisfaction' by The Rolling Stones with Norman Cook's own hit, 'The Rockafeller Skank'. It was created after the DJ and producer grew tired of playing the original version of his track. After decades of attempts to license the copyrighted material, approval has finally been given and the sample has been cleared.

In our series, DJ Mag explores the tales behind some of the world's favourite dance tracks, told by the people that made them.

And if you want to know even more, you can listen to Norman covering his entire career - and this track with me a few years ago:

More from DJ Mag and Fatboy Slim

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• Free Custom Firmware for Mvave FM-1 29-Sep-26
• Korg Triton – Famous Songs and Sounds 29-Sep-26
• Chipsynth OPMZ from Plogue 29-Sep-26
• Broke Beats pt2 - A £30 DAW & Microcomputer 28-Sep-26