Copyright Criminals backdrop
Copyright Criminals poster
Trailer
Copyright Criminals
6.8
|
1h 5m
|
2009
|
Released
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 poster
Aesop Rock
Himself
George Clinton poster
George Clinton
Himself
Chuck D poster
Chuck D
Himself
El-P poster
El-P
Himself
Sage Francis poster
Sage Francis
Himself
Pam the Funsktress poster
Pam the Funsktress
Herself
Bobbito Garcia poster
Bobbito Garcia
Himself
Miho Hatori poster
Miho Hatori
Herself
Shock G poster
Shock G
Himself
Mix Master Mike poster
Mix Master Mike
Himself
Prefuse 73 poster
Prefuse 73
Himself
DJ Q-Bert poster
DJ Q-Bert
Himself
Pete Rock poster
Pete Rock
Himself
Hank Shocklee poster
Hank Shocklee
Himself
DJ Spooky poster
DJ Spooky
Himself
Clyde Stubblefield poster
Clyde Stubblefield
Himself
Saul Williams poster
Saul Williams
Himself

Recommendations