Answers Me
A two-minute World of Echo track that Kanye West sampled for 30 Hours in 2016, introducing Russell to hip-hop listeners.
Arthur Russell, from World of Echo (1986)
- Written by
- Arthur Russell
- Released
- 1986
- Length
- 2:11
- Album
- World of Echo
Answers Me is the third track on World of Echo, 2:11 long, written by Arthur Russell. Kanye West sampled it heavily in 30 Hours, a promotional single released February 12, 2016 through GOOD Fridays on SoundCloud and later on The Life of Pablo. The track also uses drums from Isaac Hayes's Joy from 1973. Kanye West, Karriem Riggins and Mike Dean produced it, with additional production by Noah Goldstein and background vocals by Andre 3000, and Russell is credited as songwriter. KEXP writes that the sample recontextualizes Russell's words into a new meaning, and Stereogum says it introduced him to hip-hop listeners.
A cover by the Speakers Corner Quartet is listed on a setlist.fm statistics page, seen only in search results. No statement from Russell about what the song is about was found.
Covers and versions
- Speakers Corner Quartet Listed on setlist.fm statistics.
More songs by Arthur Russell
Let's Go Swimming, This Is How We Walk on the Moon
Where to go next
Reference
- 30 Hours Credits for the Kanye West song that samples it.
Writing and criticism
- KEXP: Being Isn't Certain, World of Echo at 35 On the album and the sample.
Sources
- World of Echo, Wikipedia
- 30 Hours, Wikipedia
- Being Isn't Certain: Arthur Russell's World of Echo at 35, KEXP (2021-06-22)
- Echo in Eternity: the indelible mark of Arthur Russell, Stereogum