Nelly’s 2015 single “The Fix” contains interpolations from Marvin Gaye’s 1982 hit “Sexual Healing.” The song features Jeremih and was produced by DJ Mustard and Mike Free.
An interpolation recreates or adapts elements of an earlier composition, such as its melody, lyrics, or musical structure, rather than simply sampling the original recording. In “The Fix,” the connection to Gaye’s song was formally cleared before release because the relevant songwriting rights had to be acknowledged.
“Sexual Healing” was one of Marvin Gaye’s best-known late-career successes. Released in 1982, it blended soul, funk, R&B, and emerging electronic production, making it influential well beyond its original chart run. Nelly’s track reworked that familiar musical idea for a contemporary hip-hop and R&B audience.
A common mix-up is calling the connection a sample. The more precise description is an interpolation: “The Fix” draws from the composition, while a sample normally uses audio taken directly from the earlier recording.