Copyright Criminals

Copyright Criminals

This is a Sampling Sport

2009 en 65 minutes

Rating: 6.8

Plot

Copyright Criminals examines the creative and commercial value of musical sampling, including the related debates over artistic expression, copyright law, and (of course) money. This documentary traces the rise of hip-hop from the urban streets of New York to its current status as a multibillion-dollar industry. For more than thirty years, innovative hip-hop performers and producers have been re-using portions of previously recorded music in new, otherwise original compositions. When lawyers and record companies got involved, what was once referred to as a “borrowed melody” became a “copyright infringement.” The film showcases many of hip-hop music’s founding figures like Public Enemy, De La Soul, and Digital Underground—while also featuring emerging hip-hop artists from record labels Definitive Jux, Rhymesayers, Ninja Tune, and more.

Trailer

Cast

Aesop Rock

Aesop Rock

Himself

George Clinton

George Clinton

Himself

Chuck D

Chuck D

Himself

El-P

El-P

Himself

Sage Francis

Sage Francis

Himself

Pam the Funsktress

Pam the Funsktress

Herself

Bobbito Garcia

Bobbito Garcia

Himself

Miho Hatori

Miho Hatori

Herself

Shock G

Shock G

Himself

Mix Master Mike

Mix Master Mike

Himself

Prefuse 73

Prefuse 73

Himself

DJ Q-Bert

DJ Q-Bert

Himself

Pete Rock

Pete Rock

Himself

Hank Shocklee

Hank Shocklee

Himself

DJ Spooky

DJ Spooky

Himself

Clyde Stubblefield

Clyde Stubblefield

Himself

Saul Williams

Saul Williams

Himself

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