Smokey Robinson has never been one to shy away from innovation in music, and when it comes to sampling, he’s all for it. The Motown legend wishes more artists would sample his work.
During a recent appearance on the R&B Money podcast, Robinson shared his enthusiasm for seeing younger artists breathe new life into his music. When host Tank asked about his reaction to D’Angelo’s 1995 cover of “Cruisin’,” Robinson didn’t hesitate:
“D’Angelo’s my little brother. I love him,” he said. “When I heard it, I thought, ‘Yippee! Oh, great!’”
For Robinson, hearing others reinterpret his songs is a dream come true. “As a songwriter, I hope that happens all the time,” he added.
But it’s not just covers—Robinson fully embraces music sampling, too. While some artists have expressed frustration about their work being repurposed, the 85-year-old icon has a very different perspective.
“When kids started sampling, people would say, ‘Hey man, they sampled your music.’ I’d say, ‘No, sample all of mine. Every song I ever wrote in my life—sample it!’”
His reasoning is simple: sampling is a sign of respect.
“Out of the billions of songs on Earth, you chose mine? Thank you.”
However, not everyone shares his sentiment. Some artists reject the idea of their work being touched, a stance that Robinson finds baffling.
“Those people are fools. They’re stupid,” he stated bluntly. “First of all, it’s flattery. And second, you’re going to make money, so why would you protest that?”
Robinson’s outlook is a testament to his understanding of music’s evolution. Whether through covers, samples, or fresh interpretations, he sees his work as a living, breathing art form meant to inspire new generations.
And as for D’Angelo’s take on Cruisin’? “I was flabbergasted,” Robinson admitted. “He’s got such a funky version of it, and I love that.”
It’s clear: when it comes to his legacy, Smokey Robinson is more than happy to share the groove.