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Copyright Criminals: This is a Sampling Sport

A documentary by Benjamin Franzen & Kembrew McLeod

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“Copyright Criminals” is an episode from the PBS series, Independent Lens, which premiered January 19th of this year. Independent Lens is a series that “introduces new documentaries and dramas made by independent thinkers: filmmakers who are taking creative risks, calling their own shots and finding untold stories in unexpected places”. If you like this feature then check out the rest of the series, it’s very well done.

The reason I chose to feature this documentary is because (a.) apparently, I need to post more than just music, or so some of my viewers think; (b.) it informs viewers about the problems and benefits of DJ’s sampling music from a fairly neutral perspective; and (c.) simply put, it’s a good watch. I’ve watched a couple of other documentaries about music sampling, and I felt this one was the least bias. It gave fair and equal arguments to both sides of the situation, and presented it in a professional, yet engaging fashion.

There are many DJ/producers featured in this documentary, my favorite being Jeff Chang, author of a book I’m reading right now, Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, and more importantly, a founding member of the Soulsides record label (which is now Quannum Projects). Others featured include Public Enemy & George Clinton, but the most sincere & touching artist featured was Clyde Stubblefield (drummer for James Brown). Clyde talks about his openness and appreciation for people sampling his music, but only asks for one thing in return, credit! Even over money, Clyde just wants people to recognize that he was the original creator. I mean common, if you’re gonna sample someone’s music, the least you can do is credit them (among other things, case by case). I think that’s fair… don’t you Give us your opinions in the comments section. We’d love to hear ’em.

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Solamente by Pretty Lights

Finally found what I'm looking for(unlike U2).

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Just around this time last year I came across a DJ that would change my life forever! Alright, maybe I’m being a little dramatic, but it’s true. He was one of the main reasons I started this site. In fact, he was the first feature on it. This DJ I am referring to is none other than DJ Frane. Unlike most artists I’ve come across, when I started listening to Frane I couldn’t stop; each song after another was a rich & robust set of samples ranging from hip-hop to rock. I had heard of trip-hop before, but to me this is what defined the genre. After I was familiar with his music, I wondered when (or if) I would ever come across another DJ as gifted & prolific as him. Well, that day has come… I present to you: Derek Vincent Smith’s Pretty Lights…

Scanning over some blogs a friend of mine suggested, I discovered Pretty Lights on a clever & comically titled blog, Aurgasm. I was looking through the site’s hip-hop section when I came across this beaut. It was actually the first post of theirs that I listened to the samples they provided, and let’s just say I’m glad I did. Pretty Lights currently has three LP’s and one EP out, and I have listened to each album… twice! A lot of ’em caught my ear, but only a handful really blew me away, though that number is growing on the daily.

The feature I decided to go with, “Solamente”, was actually not my first choice, but I have a reason for saving the best for later (not gonna explain myself, though). “Solamente” is a comforting dreamscape of a song with a nasty bassline. It, along with the rest of Pretty Light’s works, are freely available on their website, PrettyLightsMusic.com. Check it out, it’s a gorgeous site and there’s free music!

One other thing, if you really want to figure out my next posting of Pretty Light’s, i’ll give you two clues: it’s on the same album & features a beautiful, female R&B voice. If you post it in the comments section, i’ll give you mad props. Enjoy!

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[audio:Solamente.mp3|titles=Solamente]

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Hellohihey by Lifesavas

For all those arrogant MC's.

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I wanted to feature another song from Lifesavas’s latest album, Gutterfly: The Original Soundtrack (2007), but I already featured “No Surprise” a while back, so I wanted to go with something from their first album, Spirit in Stone. I haven’t been listening to these guys as much lately, mostly because they haven’t come out with anything new for a while, but this feature, as well as many other tracks by ’em, are a must have for any hip-hop head.

So, I was debating between two songs from Spirit in Stone – one with a better beat, one with the a better storyline – and unlike my usual self, I went with the lyrical selection. Sorry “It’s Over“, maybe next time, this one goes to “Hellohihey” for its well crafted story and witty dialogue. The song portrays an egotistical MC, played by Vursatyl, who thinks he is God’s gift to hip-hop. Typical rapper right… well, the story comes together in the end with a humble closing, which is refreshing to hear amongst all the misogynistic rap coming out these days.

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[audio:Hellohihey.mp3|titles=Hellohihey]

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Watch Yr Step by Cancer Rising

"Let me introduce the most fly orator(s)."

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Another group from Seattle… I think I may be a little bias in geographic locations, but the Northwest really is coming out with the best emerging hip-hop (which I like to mention over and over again). Cancer Rising may not be the top acts from the region, but they do have some top quality MC’s. Both Judas & Gatsby take on different rap styles, both working well off each other and DJ TilesOne’s beats. I especially love Judas’s style.. or maybe Gatsby’s… I really don’t know who… whoever’s @ 1:10. The dude simply has character, the #1 thing I look for in an MC: character, character, character! It’s by far the one thing that sets great MC’s apart from the rest of the mess… and gets ’em featured on this site!

Bruce Illest (featured on this track) may be an even better example of character in rap; he definitely gives Judas & Gatsby a run for their money. Although, one thing that bugs me about him is how reps his name every so often (even if it’s only a couple of times). I understand that artists want to get their name out there, but it starts to get tedious after a while. Maybe not in this case so much, but I’ve seen it overused a couple of times, and it really ruins it for me (for some reason). Doomtree is a good example; I respect the group, they’re from my home state of Minnesota, and they’ve got a bunch of talent, but listening to ’em shout off their name every ten words gets annoying, I know your damn name, I don’t need it repeated in my head. I guess it’s not that big of a deal, I just need shit to talk about (and I love to ramble… on… and on…. and on (ok, I’m done).

Check it, listen up, and tell me who brings the best out of three… my vote goes to Bruce Illest (love his name, by the way).

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Paper Shaper Shifter by Mel Gibson and the Pants

"My biorhythm is awesome."

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Mel Gibson and the Pants is one of the groups I love to show off to others; (1) because anyone outside of Minnesota doesn’t know about ’em, (2) the instrumentals are a complete mashup of a few different genres, unlike anything I’ve ever heard before, and (3) Harold Sander’s (MC for the group) voice is sexy as hell. They’ll actually be my most featured group on here after this is released (other features of MGP include w/ Guitar, as well as a single from the album, Beat it Loose). The group may not be the most prolific in quality hits, but when they hit it, they hit it right, and Paper Shaper Shifter hits it right…

Paper Shaper Shifter is one of the first songs I really got into with MGP. It’s a little different from their usual drum & bass, electro-rock beat, but still shows their unique style of music. As always, Harold Sander’s comes up with some interesting lryics, voiced in a stylish & saucy way. I was actually going to name this site after some of the lyrics off this song, “my biorhythm is awesome” (the site was originally going to be BiorhythmAwesome.com, among others), but I liked Silence Nogood best.

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[audio:PaperShaperShifter.mp3|titles=Paper Shaper Shifter]

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420247 by DJ Frane

"They try to playa hate me, 'cause I'm gettin' high all day."

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Alright, this is gonna be a quick one ’cause I leave for Palm Springs in a couple of hours, and the shit I say doesn’t really matter anyway.

I present to you another good one from DJ Frane. I have featured his two other albums, Journey to the Planet of Birds & Electric Garden of Delights before, but since I am mainly focusing on singles now, I decided to go with 420247. The beat is trip-tastic, but the best part is the lyrics, they’re funny, witty and oh so true. Check it!… You’ll at least get a good laugh out of ’em.

I just gotta give another shout out to this guy, never have I enjoyed someone’s music from the first track to the last so much, no less on all three of his albums. He’s a truly remarkable artist.

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[audio:420247.mp3|titles=420247]

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Jus Biz by Diverse

"Diggin' my music is more than just biz."

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A friend of mine from Chicago told me about Diverse and a few others from Illinois. Been listening to ’em all lately, and although Diverse wasn’t my overall favorite, Jus Biz has been one of my favorite singles so far. Diverse just hasn’t put enough out yet for me to really grasp his sound. My first thought of him was that he sounded a hell of a lot like RA Scion from Common Market. It may not be as apparent in this song as in others, but their voices are damn near close. Other than that I really like Diverse’s rap style, he’s got real character. He often collaborates with RJD2, Prefuse 73 & Madlib, so you know his beats are gonna be quality, definitely including this one. Tell me what ya think, and check me out on twitter ’cause I need more followers! :D

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[audio:JusBiz.mp3|titles=Jus Biz]

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European Comfort by Gota Yashiki

(Better than) just elevator music.

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Another goodie from Gota! One of my first posts was Gota’s All Alone, and now I come to you with his second, European Comfort. It may not be as good as All Alone (in my opinion), but it’s got a nice calming tune that’s perfect for an elevator… or better! I’ve gotta say, one of Gota’s best abilities is combing instrumentals in such a fluid way. He’s what really got me into this new style of jazz… well, him & DJ Okawari… and I guess you could throw Nujabes in there too.

I’m actually trying to get into more current jazz (like Gota), but it’s proving hard to find what I like (it’s always difficult getting into new genres). And I’m finding with nu jazz or acid jazz (or whatever you wanna call it) that a lot of it does remind me of elevator music, boring and repetitive (unlike Gota). So, if you have any suggestions, please oblige me. Also, tell me if you’d consider this elevator music, now that I’ve engrained it into your head…

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[audio:EuropeanComfort.mp3|titles=European Comfort]

She Said by The Pharcyde

"I'll give you the world if you want."

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This is my 2nd posting of The Pharcyde (1st post). I actually should’ve posted this one first, but at the time I was really into Runnin’. Anyways, I’d have to say that She Said is in one of my favorite hip-hop classics. Ever since I started listening to it (been a while), it’s always had that uncanny ability to bring out all those damn emotions in me (particularly when inebriated); and not just in this song, the Pharcyde do it consistently, emanating passion and soul throughout their music, which sadly isn’t found in hip-hop enough these days. If half the rappers had what these guys did in the 90’s, you wouldn’t need me to go digging around through endless shit to find “real hip-hop” (but that’s what I’m here for). Give it a listen and light one up (if ya got it), it’ll make it all the better ;)

Best part @ 2:53 – goddamn does Tre Hardson lay down some of the best rhymes I have ever heard in a song.

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Concentration by Quannum (feat. Jurassic 5)

Educate the young, dumb, deaf, and blind.

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If all the best artists collaborated in one song… well, this would as close as it gets. Comprising of all the MC’s from the Quannum collective, including Lyrics Born, Gift of Gab, Lateef the Truth Speaker, etc plus they managed to get Jurassic 5 to feature, as well! It may be a little dated, just over 10 years old, but the damn thing still could be considered ahead of most hip-hop today. With a simple, yet funkalicious beat produced by DJ Shadow, Cut Chemist & whoever else, it’s another keeper for the collection. I’d point out my favorite parts of the track, but there are so damn many!… okay, i’ll point out one – go to 3:12 (love the voice, love the rhym). Give a shout out to your favorite part and as always tell me what ya think…

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