Madlib Sample Controversy

[semantik]

Dunno if you heard, but Madlib recently asked blogger Kevin Nottinham to take down the Madvillainy sample collection. Another blog, Hip Hop Is Read really took offense to Madlib's request and has spoken out about sample id's. What do you think about exposing samples?

Hip-Hop Is Read: Sample Sets: Hurting Hip-Hop?

and

Hip-Hop Is Read: 'Can Ya Dig It'? ... No, Seriously: Can You?

[mrfloyd]

Dont agree with Madlib at ALL on this. Much respect to those artists that were sampled!! Supplying those samples exposes some people to the mystery behind the beat. Producers can learn and the original artists get some much deserved appreciation.
Those songs are NOT yours 'lib!!! You found them....nice diggin' skillz! You got your shine....
How about letting the original songs/albums/artists get some shine, eh??

Anyone get those songs downloaded prior to them being removed???

Stingy diggers are for the birds!

[SoulSyde]

I'm not convinced Madlib's point is to keep people from biting his work, but rather a concern about sample clearance.

If his samples live in obscurity there's much less risk of getting caught and sued. I doubt Madlib has cleared EVERY sample he's used.

[mrfloyd]

Originally Posted by SoulSyde

I'm not convinced Madlib's point is to keep people from biting his work, but rather a concern about sample clearance.

If his samples live in obscurity there's much less risk of getting caught and sued. I doubt Madlib has cleared EVERY sample he's used.

Thats a good point Soul. I didnt take that perspective (My perspective was that all the samples WERE cleared). If that is the case...My opinion of the matter is not relevant and of bad taste.

I also want to say (In regards to my original perspective) that I am a HUGE fan of Madlib and the entire Stonesthrow crew, and if it were my blog and I was asked to remove the tracks, I would do it out of respect and love for Madlib/ST crew.

Not sure I agree....But, I'd do it just for the fact.

Thats the thing though...I like the fact that the original artist gets some light. But if the bastards just want to sue the artist who sampled their work; the hell with that.
Fine line here. Such a weird situation with the current copyright laws. You dont want to give the original artist credit cause they will sue your ass.

[semantik]

It's a funny situation... I actually started writing a huge front page post about everything, but suddenly remembered that this type of situation was exactly why I never got involved in the whole sample compilation/exposure thing to begin with.

I've always been cryptic about revealing sample sources to a certain degree, but for reasons far different that Madlib or say DJ Premier. I actually think that original artists that are sampled deserve to be paid and it is the personal responsibility of the artist and label to clear any samples that they might be held liable for down the road. Eventually someone is gonna ID the sample and let out the secret and it's unrealistic to think that an producer with a significant following like Madlib could keep these samples a mystery with the current state of information and the internet. I've personally never exposed the ID's samples on my mixes, not out of protecting hiphop producers from possible liabilities, but out of respect for record diggers who found this stuff after much hard work.

I suppose it's all the same thing, but when it comes down to it... this information is dying to be exposed.

Another thing... The distribution of copyrighted material is a whole other issue and I'm not sure if some of the cats putting out the sample compilations really want to open up that kind of liability on themselves. Might just be best for them to leave the argument alone because when the RIAA comes knocking, they're not gonna care about Madlib's sample clearance, but rather Kevin's distribution of original mp3's. And we all know that this blogging stuff is not worth the cease and desist letters or potentially going to jail like what DJ Drama and some of those mixtape cats have been through.

Just my 2 cents.

[mrfloyd]

I agree with you Semantik. So many points and different angles to take...But it all comes down to getting samples cleared. That way the original artist is given some shine in the form of paper...
Also...I am a vinyl fan and your point about letting those that stay true have an upperhand by not letting stuff slide on to the web (though it seems inevitable) does let the true crate hustlers keep ahead of the game.

But then you have all the great people/blogs that compile these lists/songs and take pride in their abillity to share their work with others. This type of thing is not only interesting but appreciated.

So many different perspectives to take....they all make sense when looked upon with an open mind.

Nice drop though!! I'll be reading and googling the shit out of this topic this weekend!

[Rafferty]

man...

ultimately it seems like the original artist never owns the copyright anyways. Why should I pay someone who got the rights for peanuts, but who isn't the actual artist? Stupid copyright laws. Stupid.

Also when I buy a used record, the original artist isn't seeing any of that money...

not sure if either of those thoughts are at all relevant but it's been on my mind

copyright is cool and everything, protect your intellectual property, but I think it gets weird when you start buying and selling it