The sample I used for my recent song "Regen" was from a Famicom (Japanese NES) video game that honestly I'm sure 99% of people hadn't heard before. It was the reason I used the track in the first place.
I tracked down the original composer of the sample. His name is Kenichi Kamio. He has composed music for video games, TV, and movies since the 1980s.
I sent him a copy of the song to verify he was in fact the composer of this obscure sample from yesteryear, and today I had received this message back from Kenichi's agent:
I am agent of Kenichi kamio.
Exactly , he created "Bakushou Jinsei Gekijou 3" .
He is happy that you used his music.
Lately,He is producing "RoseLove" who is singer , tap dancer ,and actress.
I want you listen his new music.
Thank you."
I always worry about using samples, and people saying that my songs aren't original. But I think about this the way people perceive the skateboard.
Before the skateboard, there were surfers that took rollerskate wheels and attached them to small surfboards so they didn't need an ocean and a wave to be able to skate. It wasn't a surfboard, or a rollerskate, but I would say it's safe to say that it's popularity has surpassed it's parent creations. My songs are just a new version of two old things.
So between the previous nod of approval I had received from the crew that makes the cartoon "Steven Universe", and now this, if I had any doubt about myself and what I do previously, I really need to curb it and enjoy what I'm doing.