What Is Sample Clearance?
Sample clearance is the process of getting legal permission to use part of someone else’s song in your own music. If you release your track on streaming platforms, in a sync placement, or for sale, you must clear any samples you didn’t create yourself.
There are two separate rights you need to clear:
Composition Rights – the songwriting (melody, lyrics, etc.)
Master Recording Rights – the actual sound recording you sampled
Skipping either can lead to takedowns, demonetization, or lawsuits.
What You Need Before You Reach Out
Before you try to clear anything, have this information ready:
The full name of the original song
The artist’s name
The length and portion of the sample used
A copy or draft of your song (if possible)
You’ll also want to know who owns both the publishing and the master recording rights.
How to Find the Rights Holders
To get clearance, you need to know who owns the rights. Here’s how to find out:
Step 1: Check Performing Rights Organizations (PROs)
Look up the publishing info using these databases:
Search by song title or writer to find the publisher name(s).
Step 2: Find the Master Owner
If the song was released on a label, that label likely owns the master. You can:
Check the credits on Spotify, Apple Music, or TIDAL
Use WhoSampled.com to trace the original song
Google: "original song" + master rights + label
How to Contact Them
Once you know who owns the rights:
Search for the publisher or label's licensing department
Email or submit a request through their site
Include a short message explaining:
Who you are
What song you’re sampling
How much of it you’re using
Where you plan to release your music
Pro Tip: Be respectful and professional. Even small samples can require a deal, and ghosting is common — persistence matters.
Example: Let’s Say You Sample “Ms. Jackson” by OutKast
Step 1: Find Publishing Info
Search “Ms. Jackson” on BMI and ASCAP. You'll find publishing split between Sony/ATV and other companies.
Step 2: Master Rights
OutKast is signed to LaFace/Arista, which is under Sony Music. Sony owns the master.
Step 3: Reach Out
You’d contact Sony’s sync/licensing team with your sample request and wait for them to respond with terms.
Alternatives: What If I Can’t Get It Cleared?
If you can't get in touch or the license is too expensive:
Recreate the sample (interpolation) with your own instruments
Use a sample clearance service like:
Use royalty-free sample libraries with clear licenses (like Splice, Loopcloud, etc.)