DYK
Did you know that as lucrative as audio sampling can be to music production, it can also subject you to legal issues & not-so-friendly lawsuits?
Well, here’s how to make music without facing the music.
First of, it is germane to note the following;
1. Sampling laws: In the US and all other countries that may employ their sampling laws, producers are required to clear samples with the original copyright holders before use. The issue with this being that it can be pocket-draining and time-consuming.
2. Fair use: This means that in some instances, some samples may be considered as “fair use” as they allow a music producer the limited privilege of using a copyrighted material without legal permission. Simply, this implies that some part of the copyrighted material is free for use.
3. Creative sampling: Here, the ball is totally in your court as a music producer. If you play your cards well, sampling can be a creative way to pay homage to other artists, add texture to your tracks, or even create something entirely new. This is evident in Buju’s “Pidgin & English” and even in Rema’s latest single, “Baby is it a crime?”
Key Takeaway:
As a music producer;
- Always make sure to clear samples with the original copyright holders.
- Endeavour to understand how fair use laws work & apply.
- Don’t take sampling as a vice or object of abuse, use it as a creative tool to enhance your music instead.
Never stop creating, never stop producing!
