Sampling..

The other day I happened upon this really interesting show, Independent Lens "Copyright Criminals", on OETA (originally aired on Sunday Jan. 24, 2010) about sampling and I've been thinking about it for a while now. It had artists, record-label-folk and others discussing sampling and the effect copyrights were having on the artists who sample and also the artists of the original beats and lyrics or whatever is being sampled. While I in a way understand the O.G. artist feeling like they deserve some sort of compensation for their music being used, be it monetary or just being recognized as a contributor to that song, I don't think it's right to say well, you can use this, but not this or this, because I think that hampers the creative process. Shock G said it best. "What the photographer is to the painter is what the modern producer, D.J., computer musician is to the instrumentalist."

And - I'm going to be kinda paraphrasing here - it's absolutely true that all music comes from other music, whether it just be because the person was strongly influenced by another artist, or taking something that you heard and liked and making it your own. I see it as an homage, or props to the original artist.

When artists paint a tribute to someone who had a prominent effect on what they do or who they are as a person (http://dawgteamonetsy.blogspot.com/2009/10/conceptual-art-painting-tribute-to.html) or a clothes designer designing something in honor of their favorite designer (http://realitytvmagazine.sheknows.com/blog/2009/06/25/the-fashion-show-paying-homage-to-fashion-icons/) you don't see as big of a legal issue, if any, like the legal B.S. surrounding sampling, what you can and can't use, and who you're gonna piss off next. I really don't see hindering art in any form good at all, for the artists or for the fans of art. I hope that someday people stop being so sue-happy, and take a couple of minutes and just..appreciate the work of others, you might actually enjoy it.

http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/copyright-criminals/