[S_A_P]

Things have gotten much easier in some cases. I have sampled and cleared 2 different songs on tracklib for a reasonable price for me (50 bucks plus 10% royalties). Bedroom producers can now release their music with samples without a crazy clearance fees in many cases. Some samples/artists will still be only available for those with the means to pay 4-5 figure sample fees, but I think that is more the exception than the rule now.