American rapper 50 Cent has paid royalties to Krzysztof Cugowski, the lead singer of the Polish band Budka Suflera, for using a sample from their song in his mixtape. The song in question, “Body Bags,” featured in 50 Cent’s 2015 mixtape “The Kanan Tape,” was produced by Alchemist and included a sample from Budka Suflera’s “Noc nad Norwidem.”
Cugowski revealed that he received a payment of 5,000 to 6,000 dollars from 50 Cent for the use of the sample. He humorously remarked that he wished the sample had been included on one of 50 Cent’s more popular albums, such as “Get Rich or Die Tryin,” which sold 20 million copies.
Budka Suflera’s influence extends beyond 50 Cent. The band’s music has also been sampled by other prominent American rappers, including DJ Muggs with Conway the Machine, Sean Price, and Westside Gunn. This highlights the Polish band’s growing recognition and influence in the global music industry.
Sampling, the practice of reusing a portion of a sound recording in another recording, has long been a staple in the music industry, especially in hip-hop. Artists often sample older songs to create new tracks, paying homage to the original creators while bringing their music to new audiences. The recognition of Budka Suflera’s work by well-known American artists underscores the universal appeal and timeless quality of their music.