Sampling has become a prevalent aspect of modern popular music, originating in hip-hop in the 1970s. In 2024, samples are more popular than ever, with rappers now sampling other rappers and creating new music. Burlington musician Matt Hagen and his band, the High Breaks, have embraced this trend and are offering live backing music for local hip-hop artists to freestyle over at a weekly residency at Nectar’s. The series, called High Break Beats, will feature different 802 rappers each week. The event is sponsored by cannabis growers and dispensaries as a way to raise awareness of the Vermont cannabis industry. Hagen hopes this collaboration will foster interplay among musicians of different genres and help his band expand beyond Vermont. Hagen is also working on a Christmas album and has various other musical projects in the works. The series will also host the live recording of a podcast called “Cannasations” featuring various cannabis figures. Overall, Hagen’s goal is to create a collaborative musical environment and bridge different cultures through music. The High Break Beats series is a free event at Nectar’s and aims to showcase the fusion of local bands and rappers in Burlington.