Sampling: Creativity at work or a sign of disrespect?
The issue of sampling is becoming more prevalent in the music industry now more than ever thanks to the explosion of computer programs that allow for the easy remixing of music, such as serato http://www.serato.com/ . Now rather than people striving to create their own original pieces of music, it is widely accepted that remixing other peoples music is seen as a form of original expression. I have no problem with this, seeing as Hip Hop is my favorite genre of music that is based upon sampling of old music. What I do have a problem with is when this remixing and sampling becomes a blatant steal of someone else’s hard work. The example that sticks out in my mind is Eminem stealing the beat of a lesser known underground Hip Hop artist Dreddy Kruger. Dreddy Kruger is affiliated with the large Hip Hop group: Wu-Tang Clan. Wu Tang has always prided themselves on creating unique sounding Hip Hop that is unlike anything else in the genre. This is apparent by listening to some of their famous tracks that are deeply influenced through the use of old ninja movies such as Da mystery of Cheesboxin’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl6jwab3HWk and Protect Ya Neck http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GDPZpRmTg0&feature=related .
What is of importance here is that Dreddy Kruger a member of the Wu-Tang Clan is not well known in the mainstream music industry. His most popular release was the album “Think Differently Music: Wu Tang meets the Indie Culture”, the very title of this album indicates its underground appeal and its reach out to the indie movement. One of the most popular tracks on the album “Preservation” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3rKpn5p5co only has 3,000 views on YouTube. This can be contrasted against mainstream artist Eminem, whose track “Crack a Bottle” which has over 8.5 million views http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uolqQsQplB0 .
When you listen to this song it is quite apparent that Eminem has blatantly used the exact same beat as in “Preservation”, a song which Dreddy Kruger independently produced. This upsets me because in the past there has been ‘beef’ between these two artists, and this was Eminem’s way of disrespecting and getting back at Dreddy. This is clearly a sign of disrespect seeing as how Eminem’s video has over 8.5 million views and not one comment recognizes that the beat was clearly stolen and unchanged from Dreddy Kruger, whereas the limited comments on the “Preservation” video recognize that the beat is clearly stolen. What really gets me going is that in the song “Crack a Bottle” Eminem says that he “hates the game and the way it looks”, when he is clearly part of the problem, stealing a beat and not giving any credit where it is due.
It is this blatant disrespect and stealing of music that threatens the success of Hip Hop as a genre, I mean if one of the biggest names in the game can get away with this what is stopping millions of other aspiring artists from simply stealing music and making it their own. It is in this regard that I believe in the fair use policy of the copyright laws. I am not opposed to the practice of sampling as long as it is done in a tasteful manner, with the proper people getting credit and recognition that their music has been remixed to create something new. I am opposed however to the downright stealing of music where no credit is given and no remorse is felt, it was not a part of the song Eminem took but rather the whole song beat for beat.
With the deskilling of the music industry that has been created by programs such as serato, that allow for the visual matching of sound wave lengths rather than actually listening to what would work, I fear that this stealing of music will happen more often. Now that everyone with access to a computer has the capability to remix songs and label them their own, what is stopping them from just stealing music as Eminem did, I mean if one of the biggest names in Hip Hop can get away with it what is stopping a bedroom DJ from doing the same thing. I believe we must take a step back and think about what constitutes creativity versus the deliberate stealing of music that is seen as a sign of disrespect.
Until next time keep exercising social responsibility
- the ubiquitous civilian
I think this is a great post Mason. I strongly agree with the comments you have made about sampling, the line between stealing one's music and sampling it (remixing) it has become very hazy. What stood out to me most about this post is the fact that Eminem a very popular mainstream artist actually stole a beat from a more underground artist. I had never heard of Dreddy Kruger before, but of course I have heard of and listened to Eminem. I feel as though is is offensive to Dreddy because as we discussed in class much of the hip hop culture originates from a more generic and underground culture. This would really grind my gears if I was him.
ReplyDeleteLike you said, if popular artists like Eminem are getting away with such tasteless behavior, how many others will? I think this is a difficult question to answer, or come up with a solution for. Will this problem perpetuate in the music industry to the point where fair use will be eliminated? How do you think this problem can be solved? And is there even a solution?
I think the problem here is the fact that no credit was given to Dreddy Kruger. Yes the Hip Hop culture is full of remixing and sampling older music, but there is often credit given to an artist when a distinct piece of music is used. The fact the Eminem thought he could just steal this beat without anyone noticing is what is wrong here. It comes back to the age old saying ‘give credit where credit is due’. Therefore I think this problem can be solved through simple acknowledgement. It boils down to respect; if you want to help fellow musicians you would acknowledge that you used their music. This is especially the case here where Eminem could have helped Dreddy Krugers music become more popular if he just acknowledged that he stole the beat from him.
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