Mixtapes...

[sYgMa]

It's a general question i just tought about

DJ's do mixtapes and use commercial beats (of course, since that's what people wanna hear on a mixtape) BUT they make money out of those mixtapes. They sell them, like 5 to 10$ a piece...

Is that legal? do they have a special permission since they are djs or they just bend the rules... cuz, of course, they are making money out of something that is not theirs as a job, when they are in a club.

I guess you can understand where I wanna go with that...

 

[Lex]

It most certainally is illegal in principal, but there sort of are ways people can get round it such as claiming your giving the music away and simply charging for the cover art or something.

 

[H&R]

It's a grey area . . . it's illegal but they tend to not really do anything about it. Most established artists use mixtapes as promo aswell so no one is really going to sue a DJ. The only ones targeting are the RIAA because they don't know what mixtapes are and they don't understand the concept behind them so they try and shut down stores that sell them.

There are "black" areas which are illegal, "white" areas which are legal, and then you have "grey" areas which are illegal but the law is never really enforced on them because theirs strong points on both sides to argue for legal and illegal and also it would be hard to stop everyone and everywhere from releasing mixtapes.

 

[sYgMa]

.... mmmmh, so then, I'm guessing that if I do make a mixtape with my artists on known beats... it's pretty much the same thing, right? As long as I add some beats form others...

 

[Fade]

From my experience doing DJ mixtapes a few years ago, nobody's going to go after someone selling small units at the local record shop. I'm not saying it's right, but that's what I've experienced.

 

[sYgMa]

ooh, I'm not aiming record stores yet... just wanna sell them myself (more the rest of the group than me) on the streets. ghetto style... from the trunk of my car...

But they are still gonna be mixtapes.

 

[RigorMortis]

most mixtapes sound like cancer mixed with aids
make sure your doesnt
dont shout your name in there with a wack mic or effect
dont shout your name every track
actually dont shout your name in there scratch it in there
dont use other beats use your own
or original tracks
do mix it show that you are a turntablist cos most mixtapes are without skill if you cant work the tables dont start a mixtape cos it makes me puke and eat the puke and puke again and so on
dont start a mixtape if you only going to do one
if you put effort in it, keep on going with and establish a name in your area and build from there
build with mcs and producers on your mixtapeseries cos mixtapes connect people if you arent able to do that dont start a mixtape
dont do a mixtape if the things you are going to put on it are dishonorable to hiphop i will find you and kill you with a spoon i used to get out a rotten tooth before...

 

[sYgMa]

dont use other beats use your own
or original tracks...

My idea is that I'll make my mcs rap on commercial beats... the reason is so people who dont know us will know the beat at least and I intend to put half my beats and half commercial beats...

I wanna put big known beats, like some Chronic 2001, Ludacris, G Unit (like them or not, their beats are nice)... It's a way for me to push the group...

and I used the term mixtape because I could find another name for that... but I know what you mean Rig... I do intend to make more than one and to do collabs with other mcs

 

[StressWon]

word Syg, when I was doin my mixtapes, I wouldnt even put my name on the tape at all man. I just made a dope ass cover....now wit Photoshop, it is even better. Its funny cause I'm thinkin off gettin back in the mixtape thing for some side loot. I know my fellow Djays will hate me but I'm goin digital baby! lol, I gotta move wit the times and go CD Decks. I LOVE 1200's but I dont have the money for them and records any more,,,,1

 

[Arc.I.Tect]

It's technically illegal if you make money off it. Which is why they sell "cover art" or stickers for like 10 bucks that come with a "free mixtape" So yah just sell that and offer a free mixtape and you can pretty much get away with it.