Verysickbeats Digs Up 1925: Flipping Public Domain Gold Into Modern Slaps

Let’s talk about Public Domain Day, the annual event that’s like Christmas morning for sample-based producers. Every January 1st, a new batch of old recordings gets tossed into the public domain, and 2026 just dropped a motherlode—sound recordings from 1925 are now fair game. JFilt from Verysickbeats breaks it down in his signature laid-back style, reminding us that you don’t need to clear these samples, ask for permission, or even send a thank you note to the original artists.

If you’re into flipping ancient grooves, this is your moment. The law’s on your side, and you’re free to chop, loop, and drop these sounds into your next banger. The only catch? You gotta dig through some seriously dusty crates—sonically speaking. But hey, that’s half the fun, right?

Here’s the real kicker: these 100-year-old samples aren’t just free to use—they’re free to monetize. That means you can flip a trumpet solo from 1925, drop it in your beat, and upload it to every streaming service without a single legal headache. JFilt hammers home that you don’t need to worry about record labels or writers coming after your lunch money.

It’s a creative open door, and if you’re making boom bap, lofi, or jazz-hop, this is a game-changer. The only thing stopping you is your own hustle. So if you’re tired of getting flagged or blocked, this is your get-out-of-jail-free card. Just remember: the real gems are hiding in plain sight, waiting for someone bold enough to flip them.

So where do you find these century-old bangers? JFilt points us straight to the Internet Archive—a nonprofit library packed with millions of old recordings, just waiting to be flipped. He walks through the process: hit up Google, search for Internet Archive, and dive into the advanced search. Filter by year (1925, baby), set it to audio, and you’re staring at a mountain of forgotten jams.

But here’s the streetwise tip: always grab the original recording, not a remaster. If someone’s cleaned it up and re-uploaded it, that’s a legal gray area you don’t wanna mess with. Stick to the raw, crackly files and you’re golden. Digging through 522 results might sound like work, but trust me, it’s way more fun than scrolling TikTok for the hundredth time. This is digital crate digging at its finest.