Sample Saturday: Rochelle Jordan - The Boy

Welcome back to Sample Saturday, where we talk about the samples used in some of your favorite songs. This week we are going to be talking about Rochelle Jordan’s “The Boy” produced by KAYTRANADA from her 2025 album, “Through the Wall.”

“The Boy” tells a story of reflection on Jordan’s growing feelings for her lover. Trying to fight her strong emotions with distance, every time she sees “The Boy” all those feelings subside. Laying eyes on him floods Jordan with memories of their conversation & excellent chemistry and remains in that moment throughout the bouncy rhythm of the song.

The sample used in the song is “High Society” from the 1985 album, “Modern Manners” by Special EFX.  Known in the 1980s for fusing smooth jazz , contemporary jazz, and rock elements, a psychedelic melody is created. Further conveying this feeling with the sound of the trippy base with the layered sound of the keyboard as the baseline. “High Society” generates a time capsule feel that brings the listener back to the jazz sound of the 80’s.

Producer KAYTRANADA takes the cosmic sound from “High Society” and speeds up the harmony of the song to give it that other worldly feel. Adding bells and a kick drum to the fastened melody turns the song from a jazz fusion to a house music anthem.