SAMPLED examines the skeletal production of a contemporary rap, R&B, hip-hop or pop song — Where did the loop, sample, or chopped up vocal providing the backbone originate? SAMPLED gives you the history, the context, and the insight.

This week, we’re looking at two different samples that form the backbone for French Montana’s “Freaks.” First, we’ll look at Jamaican-American rapper Lil Vicious’ song of the same name, featuring Doug E. Fresh:

Jamaican-American rapper and reggae artist Quame Riley, professionally known as Lil Vicious, was discovered by Doug E. Fresh at the age of fourteen, by way of a talent show in Brooklyn. Fresh sought to make Lil Vicious his protege, and oversaw the assembly of his 1994 debut Destination Brooklyn. Fueled by the success of the album’s only charting single “Nika,” Destination Brooklyn rose to the summit of Billboard’s reggae charts.

The musical component of “Freaks” is almost entirely comprised of beat-boxing by Doug E. Fresh, supported only by Lil Vicious’ high pitched, rapid-fire flow and some crowd vocals, and its tunelessness makes it a prime candidate for sampling.

Another song sampled in French Montana’s “Freaks” is “Murder She Wrote” by Jamaican reggae duo Chaka Demus & Pliers:

Chaka Demus (deejay) and Pliers (singer) were both established solo musicians prior to their collaborative releases in the early ’90s, but they saw more recognition as a duo than either of them received as individual artists. Best known for their 1993 reggae hit “Tease Me,” Chaka Demus & Pliers had a string of three consecutive top five singles on the UK charts, and actively released albums together until 2008. “Murder She Wrote,” produced by Sly & Robbie, was Chaka Demus & Pliers’ breakthrough collaboration, though it was previously recorded by Pliers as a solo artist. Pairing a smooth, melodic hook with rapped verses was a novel idea at the time, and a song like “Murder She Wrote” was an early demonstrator of the success of that juxtaposition.

Both “Freaks” and “Murder She Wrote” were recently sampled by Miluakee-born producer Rico Love:

If it’s starting to feel like French Montana has been prepping the release of his debut studio album for years, it’s because he has. French has released twenty-two mixtapes since 2007, but he’s finally ready to drop his Bad Boy/Maybach debut Excuse My French on May 21st.

It’s been almost nine months since the release of last summer’s definitive party-starter “Pop That,” and French’s second single features samples from both Lil Vicious and Chaka Demus & Pliers. Crafted by veteran hip-hop/R&B producer Rico Love (Usher, Nelly, Beyoncé), “Freaks” pitches down the guitar riff from Chaka Demus & Pliers’ “Murder She Wrote” and borrows the chorus vocal from Lil Viscious’ “Freaks.” It’s an airhorn-abusing, clap-happy beat that exudes reggae pedigree.