According to the New York Times the RIAA raided the Atlanta office of famous hip-hop executive DJ Drama, whose real name is Tyree Simmons on accounts that he had been illegally distributing unlicensed materials. DJ Drama is famous in the hip-hop world for his "Gangsta Grillz" mix-tapes that have set the tone for the highly popular "Dirty South" rap movement which is the top selling of all hip-hop genres. These mix-tapes (actually on cd-r) were distributed featuring rare tracks, alternate versions, free-styles and other songs not easy to hear otherwise. The artists themselves love the opportunity to be featured and the labels that present them have taken a blind eye, if not even being supportive of the practice for the free publicity and credibility they provide. These mixes are sold for cheap at credible record stores, including online music stores like iTunes (who carry several of Drama's mixes.) Bail for him and his assistant has been set for $100,000 and while this isn't the first mix-tape arrest by the RIAA it is the most large profile one to date. Once again the RIAA has decided to play god "representing" artists and the labels they are on despite the true wishes of these groups. For more information you can read the Times article here.
Friday, January 19, 2007
NEWS: RIAA arrests mix-taper
According to the New York Times the RIAA raided the Atlanta office of famous hip-hop executive DJ Drama, whose real name is Tyree Simmons on accounts that he had been illegally distributing unlicensed materials. DJ Drama is famous in the hip-hop world for his "Gangsta Grillz" mix-tapes that have set the tone for the highly popular "Dirty South" rap movement which is the top selling of all hip-hop genres. These mix-tapes (actually on cd-r) were distributed featuring rare tracks, alternate versions, free-styles and other songs not easy to hear otherwise. The artists themselves love the opportunity to be featured and the labels that present them have taken a blind eye, if not even being supportive of the practice for the free publicity and credibility they provide. These mixes are sold for cheap at credible record stores, including online music stores like iTunes (who carry several of Drama's mixes.) Bail for him and his assistant has been set for $100,000 and while this isn't the first mix-tape arrest by the RIAA it is the most large profile one to date. Once again the RIAA has decided to play god "representing" artists and the labels they are on despite the true wishes of these groups. For more information you can read the Times article here.
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