"Synthetic Substitution" is a 1973 song by

Melvin Bliss Melvin McClelland (June 1, 1945-July 26, 2010) was a rhythm and blues singer known for his 1973 in music, 1973 song "Reward/Synthetic Substitution", the B-side of which was heavily sampled

. Originally starting life as a throwaway

B-side The A-side and B-side are the two sides of phonograph records and cassettes; these terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side usually features a recording that its artist, producer, or record compan ...

, with "Reward" as the

A-Side The A-side and B-side are the two sides of phonograph records and cassettes; these terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side usually features a recording that its artist, producer, or record company ...

, the song failed to chart anywhere on its initial release because of the collapse of

Opal Productions Opal is a hydrated amorphous form of silica (SiO2·''n''H2O); its water content may range from 3 to 21% by weight, but is usually between 6 and 10%. Due to its amorphous property, it is classified as a mineraloid, unlike crystalline forms ...

, the parent company of Sunburst Records. However, after the song was sampled by

Ultramagnetic MCs The Ultramagnetic MCs is an American hip hop group based in The Bronx, New York City. Founded by Kool Keith, the group also includes Ced Gee, TR Love, and Moe Love. Tim Dog became an unofficial member in 1989. In 1990, DJ Jaycee was added as ...

, many other artists followed suit, and eventually the song became one of the most sampled songs of all time.

Background

With

the Exciters ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

disbanded in 1971, Herb Rooney was out of a record deal. Having previously written for other artists, Rooney decided to continue down this path. Meanwhile, Melvin Bliss had drifted from stage to stage since leaving the Army in 1957. Looking to boost his career prospects he visited a

Queens Queens is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Queens County, in the U.S. state of New York. Located on Long Island, it is the largest New York City borough by area. It is bordered by the borough of Brooklyn at the western tip of Long ...

concert hall intending to use it for self-promotion. While awaiting a meeting with the hall's owner, he encountered the mother of

Herb Rooney Herbert Louis Rooney (born 1940 - c. early 1990s) was an American record producer who was responsible for writing, producing and singing bass on songs by the Exciters and for writing and producing the sample staple Synthetic Substitution by Melvin ...

and it emerged that he wanted a singer to record one of his compositions. After an informal discussion with Rooney himself, Bliss hit the studio to record it. Rooney had intended the

to be "

Reward Reward may refer to: Places * Reward (Shelltown, Maryland), a historic home in Shelltown Maryland * Reward, California (disambiguation) * Reward-Tilden's Farm, a historic home in Chestertown Maryland Arts, entertainment, and media * "Rewa ...

" and thus presented it to Bliss first.

Subject matter

"Synthetic Substitution" is a scathing critique of what society would be like if it was entirely computerised,Melvin Bliss, R.I.P.
Hua Hsu. The Atlantic. Jul 27 2010 which towards the end of the song features the wailing of Bliss clinging onto the final few authentic remnants of his daily life. In 1986 the song's drums, provided by

Bernard Purdie Bernard Lee "Pretty" Purdie (born June 11, 1939) is an American drummer, and an influential R&B, soul and funk musician. He is known for his precise musical time keeping and his signature use of triplets against a half-time backbeat: the "Purdie ...

- were sampled in "

Ego Trippin' ''Ego Trippin' '' is the ninth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on March 11, 2008 by Doggystyle Records, Interscope Records and Geffen Records.

" by

, spawning numerous other uses. It has since been sampled in over 94 songs, with

WhoSampled WhoSampled is a website and app database of information about sampled music or sample-based music, cover songs and remixes. History Nadav Poraz founded the site in London, England in 2008, as a way to track musical samples and cover songs. ...

.com claiming that that number is 826. "Synthetic Substitution" lends its name to a 2011

Earl Holder Earl () is a rank of the nobility in the United Kingdom. The title originates in the Old English word ''eorl'', meaning "a man of noble birth or rank". The word is cognate with the Scandinavian form '' jarl'', and meant "chieftain", particula ...

-produced documentary about

, Synthetic Substitution: The Life Story of Melvin Bliss, which was released by

Peripheral Enterprises A peripheral or peripheral device is an auxiliary device used to put information into and get information out of a computer. The term ''peripheral device'' refers to all hardware components that are attached to a computer and are controlled by th ...

. In a 2010 interview produced exclusively for its trailer, Bliss said that "[

and I] had no idea what the song was about; we just needed a

Select list of samples

* "Nigga Bridges", "Getdafucout" and "

Throw Ya Gunz "Throw Ya Gunz" is the first single by American hip hop group Onyx from their debut album, ''Bacdafucup''. It was released on November 27, 1992, by JMJ, Rush Associated Labels and Chaos Recordings. Produced by Chylow Parker, "Throw Ya Gunz" was ...

" by

Onyx Onyx primarily refers to the parallel banded variety of chalcedony, a silicate mineral. Agate and onyx are both varieties of layered chalcedony that differ only in the form of the bands: agate has curved bands and onyx has parallel bands. The c ...

*" God Made Me Funky" by Too Poetic * "24 Deep" and "Back Fade" by

Brotha Lynch Hung Kevin Danell Mann (born January 10, 1970), better known by his stage name Brotha Lynch Hung, is an American rapper, songwriter and record producer from Sacramento, California who has been described as "the creator of horrorcore rap." He is al ...

*" Come Baby Come" and " Zunga Zeng" by K7 *"

Alwayz into Somethin' "Alwayz Into Somethin'" is a song by American hip hop group N.W.A, performed by Dr. Dre and MC Ren featuring Admiral D. It is the lead single from their second studio album, ''Niggaz4Life''. The song also appeared on the '' N.W.A's Greatest Hits ...

" and " Real Niggaz Don't Die" by

N.W.A N.W.A (an abbreviation for Niggaz Wit Attitudes) was an American hip hop group whose members were among the earliest and most significant popularizers and controversial figures of the gangsta rap subgenre, and the group is widely considered ...

Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide "Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide" is the second single released from the Gravediggaz' debut album, ''6 Feet Deep ''6 Feet Deep'' (also titled ''Niggamortis'' in some regions) is the debut album of the American hip hop supergroup Gravediggaz ...

" and " Bang Your Head" by Gravediggaz *" O.P.P." and " Yoke the Joker" by Naughty by Nature * "Transit Ride" and "Trust Me" by

Guru Guru ( sa, गुरु, IAST: ''guru;'' Pali'': garu'') is a Sanskrit term for a "mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field. In pan-Indian traditions, a guru is more than a teacher: traditionally, the guru is a reverentia ...

*" How U Get a Record Deal?", " Looks Like a Job For..." and "Somethin' Funky" by

Big Daddy Kane Antonio Hardy (born September 10, 1968), better known by his stage name Big Daddy Kane, is an American rapper who began his career in 1986 as a member of the Juice Crew. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and skilled MCs in hi ...

* "For Pete's Sake", "Anger in the Nation" and "Can't Front on Me" by

Pete Rock & CL Smooth Pete Rock & CL Smooth were a hip hop duo from Mount Vernon, New York. They made their debut with their 1991 EP, '' All Souled Out'' and followed that with their 1992 LP '' Mecca and the Soul Brother''. Career 1991–1994: The Golden Age As a p ...

* "Jam 4 U" and "I'm a Bad" by Redman *"

Smile A smile is a facial expression formed primarily by flexing the muscles at the sides of the mouth. Some smiles include a contraction of the muscles at the corner of the eyes, an action known as a Duchenne smile. Among humans, a smile expresses ...

" by

Vitamin C Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid and ascorbate) is a water-soluble vitamin found in citrus and other fruits and vegetables, also sold as a dietary supplement and as a topical 'serum' ingredient to treat melasma (dark pigment spots) an ...

*"Clan In Da Front", "Bring Da Ruckus" and "

Method Man Clifford Smith, Jr. (born March 2, 1971), better known by his stage name Method Man, is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is known as a member of the East Coast hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He is also half of t ...

(Skunk Mix)" by

Wu-Tang Clan Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop group formed in Staten Island, New York City, in 1992. Its original members include RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. Close affili ...

*" Die in Your Arms" by

Justin Bieber Justin Drew Bieber ( ; born March 1, 1994) is a Canadian singer. Bieber is recognized for his genre-melding musicianship and has played an influential role in modern-day popular music. He was discovered by American record executive Scooter ...

New God Flow "New God Flow" is a song by American rappers Kanye West and Pusha T. It was released as the third single from the compilation album '' Cruel Summer'' (2012), a collaboration between members of their record label GOOD Music. Produced by West, Anth ...

" by

Pusha T Terrence LeVarr Thornton (born May 13, 1977), better known by his stage name Pusha T, is an American rapper, songwriter and record executive. He rose to prominence as one-half of the hip hop duo Clipse, which was mainly active from 1994 to 20 ...

and

Kanye West Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer. Born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago, West gained recognition as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records in the ea ...

My Life My Life may refer to: Autobiographies * ''Mein Leben'' (Wagner) (''My Life''), by Richard Wagner, 1870 * ''My Life'' (Clinton autobiography), by Bill Clinton, 2004 * ''My Life'' (Meir autobiography), by Golda Meir, 1973 * ''My Life'' (Mosley a ...

" by

50 Cent Curtis James Jackson III (born July 6, 1975), known professionally as 50 Cent, is an American rapper, actor, and businessman. Born in the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, Jackson began pursuing a musical career in 2000, when he produced ...

*"Ego Trippin'" and "Watch Me Now" by

Ultramagnetic MC's The Ultramagnetic MCs is an American hip hop group based in The Bronx, New York City. Founded by Kool Keith, the group also includes Ced Gee, TR Love, and Moe Love. Tim Dog became an unofficial member in 1989. In 1990, DJ Jaycee was added as ...

*"The Champ" and "Mighty Healthy" by

Ghostface Killah Dennis Coles (born May 9, 1970), better known by his stage name Ghostface Killah, is an American rapper and a member of the hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. After the group achieved breakthrough success in the aftermath of ''Enter the Wu-Tang (36 C ...

*"DWYCK", "Code of the Streets" and "ALONGWAYTOGO" by

Gang Starr Gang Starr was an American hip hop duo, consisting of Texas record producer DJ Premier and Massachusetts rapper Guru. For the entirety of their association, they were based out of Brooklyn, New York. Gang Starr was at its height from 1989 to 20 ...

*"Land of Lords" by

The Underachievers The Underachievers are an American hip hop duo from Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York. Formed in 2011, the duo is composed of rappers AKTHESAVIOR and Issa Gold. American record producer Flying Lotus signed the duo to his Brainfeeder record label ...

Don't Believe the Hype "Don't Believe the Hype" is a song by hip hop group Public Enemy and the second single to be released from their second album, ''It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back''. The song's lyrics are mostly about the political issues that were cur ...

", "Miuzi Weighs a Ton" and "Brothers Gonna Work It Out" by

Public Enemy "Public enemy" is a term which was first widely used in the United States in the 1930s to describe individuals whose activities were seen as criminal and extremely damaging to society, though the phrase had been used for centuries to describe p ...

*"All I Need" by

*"Step to My Girl" and "A Name I Call Myself" by

Souls of Mischief Souls of Mischief is a hip hop group from Oakland, California, that is also part of the hip hop collective Hieroglyphics. The Souls of Mischief formed in 1991 and is composed of rappers A-Plus, Opio, Phesto, and Tajai. History East Oakland nat ...

*"Middle of the Summer" by

Meek Mill Robert Rihmeek Williams (born May 6, 1987), known professionally as Meek Mill, is an American rapper. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he embarked on his music career as a battle rapper, and later formed a short-lived rap group, ...

*"Die Like a Rockstar" by Danny Brown (rapper), Danny Brown *"Miller Time" by Plastic Little (band), Plastic Little *"Animal Instinct" by Mobb Deep *"Chillin" by Audio Two *"Deadly Venoms (Vocals Up)" by Rza, Prince Rakeem *"God's Gonna Cut You Down#Moby version, Run On" and "Extreme Ways" by Moby *"So Called Friends" by Group Home *"Potholes in My Lawn", "Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa/Keepin' the Faith, Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa" and "Stone Age" by De La Soul * Beats International - Won't Talk About It *"Cuttin' Headz" by Ol' Dirty Bastard *"Street Dreamin" by Bridget Kelly *"The 4th Branch" by Immortal Technique *"Funky Dividends" by Three Times Dope *"The Streetz R Deathrow", "When I Get Free II", "Part Time Mutha" and "Soulja's Story" by Tupac Shakur, 2Pac *"Grown Man Sport" by InI (hip hop group), InI *"Just Be Good to Green" by Professor Green *"Dope Bitch by The-Dream *"MMMBop" by Hanson (band), Hanson *"Ya Mama" by The Pharcyde *"Saturday Night" by Schoolly D *"She's Playing Hard to Get (Clark Kent's Strictly Hip-Hop Remix)" by Hi-Five *"Pockets Full" by Skyzoo *"Love Me Now" by Beenie Man *"Burnt" by Del tha Funkee Homosapien *"O.G. Original Gangster (song), O.G. Original Gangster" by Ice-T *"Yasawas" by Amon Tobin *"Supernova at the End of the Universe" by The Orb *"Eazy Street" by Eazy-E *"What U See Is What U Get" by Xzibit *"I've Been Thinking About You" by Mariah Carey *"Saturday Nite Live" by Masta Ace Incorporated *"We Go Where Ever We Want" by French Montana *"Wild and Crazy" and "A Visit to the Gynecologyst" by Dr. Octagon *"The Anthem" by Lootpack *"Supa Jean" by DJ Jazzy Jeff *"Sun Used to Shine" by DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist *"Crossroads" by LL Cool J *"Meanwhile, Rick James..." by Cake (band), Cake *"Step to My Girl" by Hieroglyphics (group), Hieroglyphics *"One in the Chamba" by The Almighty RSO *"Ice Cube Killa" by Cypress Hill *"Home of the Greats" by Black Milk *"All in Together Now" by DJ Muggs and Gza *"Runway" by Snow (musician), Snow *"On a Clear Day" by P.M. Dawn *"Cool V's Tribute to Scratching" by Biz Markie *"Murder by Reason of Insanity" by Scarface (rapper), Scarface *"Great Pretender" by Choice (rapper), Choice *"Cat People" by Amon Tobin, Cujo *"Droppin' the Bomb" by Naughty by Nature, The New Style *"The Movement" by Common (rapper), Common *"Scarface Groove" by Paris (rapper), Paris *"Knock The Hustle" by Cozz (rapper), Cozz

References

{{reflist 1973 singles 1973 songs Sampled drum breaks