Copyright Criminals (2009)

Copyright Criminals (2009)

This is a Sampling Sport 2009-05-21 United States of America 65 Min. PG-13
6.8 9 votes

Overview

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.

Cast

Aesop Rock is Himself
Himself
George Clinton is Himself
Himself
Chuck D is Himself
Himself
El-P is Himself
Himself
Sage Francis is Himself
Himself
Pam the Funsktress is Herself
Herself
Bobbito Garcia is Himself
Himself
Miho Hatori is Herself
Herself
Shock G is Himself
Himself
Mix Master Mike is Himself
Himself
Prefuse 73 is Himself
Himself
DJ Q-Bert is Himself
Himself

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