Rhoobarb2005
Starting Member
Afghanistan
0 posts
Joined: Apr, 2014
|
 Posted - 2019/09/02 : 11:43:51
As a long term hardcore fan, I find it ironic that a music scene that was founded on illegal activities, acts all high and mighty when it comes to piracy.
Illegal raves, pirate radio, encouraging drug use, sample stealing, software piracy, etc. Are the foundations of the umbrella genre of "rave". Right or wrong, illegal activities were part of the culture, on both sides of the turntables.
The priorities changed. It started out as being about the music. In the early days it did not seem to be a scene flush with cash. and what money there was, the lions share seemed to go to promoters, less to DJ's and even less to producers. So it was done more for the love of the music. But it gained popularity, people turned a hobby and passion into a living, and it became about the money instead.
How many artists haven't "stolen" samples to use in their tracks over the years? Probably a handful of new producers at most. I don't think I could name an established producer that didn't steal a sample.
Some tracks that perhaps may have flown a little too close to the copyright infringement sun, were released under Anon as a 'cheeky' white label or bootleg instead of their normal monikers.
Labels had whole catalogues built up of these.
Another example, The Winstons. They unknowingly provided the most iconic sound in all of rave culture, the Amen Break. From the early 90's until fairly recently I would say the Amen Break was in the majority of rave songs, from jungle, dnb, HHC, UKH, gabber, techno, freeform, old skool, etc, etc, etc. Even today it is still used. I would think that this would count as the most sampled sound ever, by a huge margin. Hands up any hardcore producer that actually paid The Winstons royalties to use it, or even just ask permission, anyone?
On a side note to that, someone is running a gofundme, to give the Winstons at least a little part of what they are owed. Although at this point, it is probably more of a gesture, than actually being close to what technically should be owed.
Some of us older peeps will remember the (possibly fabricated) story about Jon Doe playing DHSS Rainbow and it getting smashed up due to it being an unauthorised remix. That seemed heavily hypocritical, and more put down to a huge ego. But over time, this attitude seemed to become the norm. Others having hissy fits, stamping their feet and "leaving the scene". Yet forgetting what activities got them there.
Glass houses and stones springs to mind.
The popularity of the scene ebbs and flows like any other genre.
Spotify et al, has changed things a lot too, but that's another discussion.
Not saying I agree or disagree with piracy, but I do find the ground some people stand on a little shaky.
But then, the bread on my table does not depend on it.
Alert moderator 
|
Printer friendly
