Copyright Criminals 15 years old
This is a Sampling Sport
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.
Credits
Copyright Criminals Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Chuck D He was 48, now 64 years old | as Himself |
| DJ Spooky He was 39, now 54 years old | as Himself |
| Robert García He was 76, now 91 years old | as Himself |
| Sage Francis He was 32, now 48 years old | as Himself |
| Clyde Stubblefield He was 66, 73 years old when he died | as Himself |
| Mix Master Mike He was 39, now 54 years old | as Himself |
| Saul Williams He was 37, now 52 years old | as Himself |
| DJ Q-Bert | as Himself |
| Hank Shocklee | as Himself |
| Pam the Funsktress | as Herself |
| Pete Rock He was 38, now 54 years old | as Himself |
| El-P He was 34, now 49 years old | as Himself |
| Aesop Rock He was 32, now 48 years old | as Himself |
| Miho Hatori She was 39, now 54 years old | as Herself |
| Humpty Hump | as Himself |
| George Clinton He was 67, now 83 years old | as Himself |
| Prefuse 73 | as Himself |
Copyright Criminals Crew
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Ross Sebek as Cinematography. | Crew |
| Video Rahim as Additional Editing. | Editing |
| Dave Willadsen as Visual Effects Editor. | Crew |
| Benjamin Franzen as Cinematography. | Crew |
| Benjamin Franzen as Director. | Directing |
| Benjamin Franzen as Producer. | Production |
| Kembrew McLeod as Director. He was 38 (now 54) years old | Directing |
| Kembrew McLeod as Producer. He was 38 (now 54) years old | Production |
| Kembrew McLeod as Executive Producer. He was 38 (now 54) years old | Production |
| Kembrew McLeod as Writer. He was 38 (now 54) years old | Writing |
| Sarah Franzen as Editorial Production Assistant. | Editing |
| Annie Lin as Music. She was 29 (now 44) years old | Sound |
| Brooke Wentz as Music. | Sound |
Copyright Criminals (15 years)
This is a Sampling Sport
- Release day: Thursday, May 21, 2009
- Runtime: 65 minutes