After I came back from the inauguration, I compiled my pictures into a short video using Sam  Cooke’s “A Chang is Gonna Come” (which I own on vinyl, cd, and digital via iTunes) and uploaded it to Facebook, and Youtube.  A few days later, Facebook and Youtube yanked my video or yanked the music from my little slideshow due to copyright infringement. Note I “own” the song in three various forms.  I was not giving the song away, but playing with some pictures to share with my friends.  If that is copyright infringement to put a song in a slideshow for friends, it must be copyright infringement for me to play the same song in my house, at work or at a beach for my friends, right?

Well I’m not a lawyer and not sure whether what is considered infringement or not, but I can say this: the concept of copyright law need to be completely redefined for the 21st century.  The documentary film RIP: A Remix Manifesto aims to do that by telling the story of copyright through the central character of Girl Talk.

RIP: A Remix Manifesto is not only a film but an open source film “protected” not under traditional copyright law(which you have to pay to protect) but under Creative Commons which is a new form of copyright which is free and accessible to anyone to use. The type of Creative Commons copyright the filmakers use allows anyone to download, distribute, edit, remix the film in anyway you choose.

The film was based on a manifesto created by author and lawyer Larry Lessig. The Manifesto contains 4 statements:

1. Culture Always Builds on The Past
2. The Past Always Tries to Control the Future.
3. Our Future Becoming Less Free
4. To Build Free Societies, You Must Limit The Control of The Past

The film does a good job of proving that copyright law does not protect but hinder innovation and creativity and progress. You wouldn’t have the “classic” sound of Led Zepplin and Rolling Stones if they didn’t sample Muddy Waters (who and is family was never compensated under the copyright law).  Disney wouldn’t be the cultural icon it is if they took stories that were in public domain and re-creating them (i.e. Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, even the Invisibles which was loosely based on The Watchmen).

RIP: A Remix Manifesto is film that everyone should see. You can download the film for whatever price you think it is worth (sound familiar?)  From Girl Talk to Bert and Ernie to Baile Funk to Amplive’s Radiohead remix project even the distrbution of HIV Drugs, the film covers a lot of ground.

Check out Larry Lessig lecture on Copyright law at TED

When you think of hip from California, specifically,Los Angeles, South Central and Compton what first crosses your mind? Dr. Dre, NWA, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube?  Do you think of Cut Chemist, Chali 2na, or Abstract Rude?  Well this new documentary entitled “This The Life: How the West Was One” aims to tell the other story of West Coast Hip Hop.

In 1989, a collective of young artists gathered at a storefront health food cafe in South Central LA. Their mandate? To explore and expand the musical boundaries of hip hop.

THIS IS THE LIFE is a feature-length documentary that chronicles “The Good Life” emcees, the alternative music movement they developed, and their worldwide influence on the artform.

The documentary feature appearances and interviews from artist such as Abstract Rude, Chali 2na, Cut Chemist, Myka 9 and many more. Check the trailer. The DVD is out now and it is airing on Showtime throughout April. (good lookin Rhymesayers)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTNrb3Bln9A w=550 h=300]

Here at Needledrop, we are big fans of music documentaries.  We came across this documentary called “Say My Name” which will be premiering at SXSW.  The film is about women lyrcists/mcs trying to find balance between life and their careers in the music industry.  From the Bronx the birthplace of Hip Hop to the grime scene in London, “Say My Name” tells the stories of female MCs and the challenges to pursuit their dream in a male dominated industry.  The film features MC Lyte,Erykah Badu, Monie Love, Estelle, Remy Ma and many more.It was made by Mamamess, A duo which consists of Israeli director Nirit Peled and Dave Hemmingway from The Netherlands.

They are also working on a follow film entitled “Say My Name Africa” which looks at women vocalists and lyricists in African cities like Luanda(Angola), Abidjan(Ivory Coast), and others.